Synopsis

"Death ends a life, but it does not end a relationship..." For Gene Garrison, life with his father has never been easy. But when his parents return from a winter in Florida, his mother's health has deteriorated, and Gene must take greater responsibility for his difficult father. This intelligent, heartwarming story strikes a universal chord on the subjects of family, aging, and loss.

Running Time

Running Time: 2 hours, including 1 Intermission

Content Advisory

Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person.If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects(such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.

Watch & Listen

I Never Sang For My Father

Cast & Artists

The Artists

Featured Ensemble Members

The Cast

Program Articles

I Never Sang For My Father — Artistic Director Martha Lavey's Preview

Sometimes people say to me, "Oh Steppenwolf Theatre — you're the ones who do all of those dysfunctional family plays." (More irreverent commentators than I have observed, "What family is NOT dysfunctional?") Sure, we do a lot of plays about families — a huge part of the dramatic canon is dominated by the exploration of families.

Costume Designer Portfolio

Robert Anderson's I Never Sang For My Father is an intimate look at the lives of the Garrison family. The play also takes place in the early 1960s, at a time when fashion had a distinctive flair. For these reasons, Backstage wanted to feature the work of Linda Roethke, costume designer, in the designer portfolio. We asked Linda to give a glimpse into her process and talk about her work, beginning with how she discovered her design vocation.

Fathers and Sons in Steppenwolf History

This season's production of I Never Sang for My Father showcases Robert Anderson's semi–autobiographical entry in this conversation, and it gives us occasion to reflect on other fathers and sons who have worked through their issues on the Steppenwolf stage.

Running Time

Running Time: 2 hours, including 1 Intermission

Content Advisory

Steppenwolf does not offer advisories about subject matter, as sensitivities vary from person to person.If you have any questions about content, age-appropriateness or stage effects(such as strobe lights or theatrical fog) that might have a bearing on patron comfort, please contact the box office at 312-335-1650.