Synopsis
Mary Swanson just moved to Middletown, eager to start a family and enjoy the neighborly bonds a small town promises. But when Mary befriends resident John Dodge, she is quick to discover that below Middletown’s flinchingly honest exterior lies something much more complex. Middletown is a wry, human portrait of a town with two lives, one ordinary and visible, the other epic and mysterious.Content Advisory
Watch & Listen
A Steppenwolf donor talks with ensemble member Tracy Letts
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Middletown Cast members Brenda Barrie and Michael Patrick Thornton chat with a guest
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Steppenwolf donors watching the artistic presentation
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.A Steppenwolf donor asks the panel a question during the artistic conversation
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Playwright Will Eno, Artistic Director Martha Lavey and ensemble member Tracy Letts during the artistic conversation
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Ensemble Member Tim Hopper, Middletown Director Les Waters, and Playwright Will Eno
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Steppenwolf donors enjoying the presentation
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Steppenwolf donors enjoying the evening
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Steppenwolf donors with Artistic Director Martha Lavey
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Steppenwolf donors enjoying the party
credit: Joel Moorman
Steppenwolf Donor Cast Party 2011 with the cast of Middletown
On May 19th, Steppenwolf Annual Fund Donors joined the cast of Middletown at our annual Donor Cast Party in Steppenwolf’s rehearsal hall. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with the artists. Artistic Director Martha Lavey then led a conversation with the Middletown cast, playwright and director.Cast and crew in rehearsal for <i>Middletown</i>
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Michael Patrick Thornton
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Director Les Waters and Ensemble member Ora Jones
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Ensemble member Tracy Letts and Danny McCarthy
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Ensemble member Alana Arenas and Director Les Waters
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Ensemble member Alana Arenas, Les Waters and Molly Glynn
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Ensemble member Martha Lavey and Brenda Barrie
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Danny McCarthy, Ensemble member Alana Arenas, Brenda Barrie and Molly Glynn
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Keith Kupferer and Molly Glynn
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Ensemble member Martha Lavey, Danny McCarthy and Brenda Barrie
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Brenda Barrie, Molly Glynn, Director Les Waters and Stage Manager Laura Glenn
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Director Les Waters
credit: Joel Moorman
Middletown in Rehearsal
We stopped by rehearsal for Middletown, Steppenwolf's next mainstage production.Danny McCarthy
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Tim Hopper
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Michael Patrick Thornton, Brenda Barrie and ensemble member Martha Lavey
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Brenda Barrie and Michael Patrick Thornton
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Martha Lavey
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Brenda Barrie and ensemble member Tracy Letts
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Danny McCarthy and Keith Kupferer
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Tracy Letts and Michael Patrick Thornton
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Tim Hopper and Molly Glynn
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Tim Hopper and Brenda Barrie
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Ora Jones and Michael Patrick Thornton
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Ensemble member Tracy Letts and Brenda Barrie
credit: Michael Brosilow
Middletown in Production
Production photos from Steppenwolf's fifth production in the 2010-11 season, Middletown. Middletown is written by Will Eno and Directed by Les Waters.Sad Brad Smith Performing for Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Guests enjoying the cotton candy machine at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Steppenwolf staff member Kendra Miller makes a Fresh batch of cotton candy
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Guests at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Steppenwolf sound engineer Gregor Mortis and friends at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Guests at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.The bbq Block party from above at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Musicians from <i>That Sordid Little Story</i> Perform at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Kids and parents alike getting in on the Block Party snow-cone action
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.<i>That Sordid Little Story</i> performing at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.<i>That Sordid Little Story</i> performing at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Music, dancing and umbrellas at Explore: Middletown
credit: Joel Moorman
Explore: The World of Middletown
The latest installment in our series of events exploring the themes and ideas in our shows.Middletown Trailer
Watch this short interpretation of an excerpt from Will Eno's new play, "Middletown." Directed by Les Waters and opening June 16. Read by ensemble member Alana Arenas.Middletown Audience Response
Catch audience members discussing Steppenwolf's newest production Middletown.In the Middle of Middletown
Playwright, director, cast & crew of Will Eno's Middletown on their roles in the process of bringing the world of Middletown to life.Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Scenic Design: Antje Ellermann
- Author: Will Eno
- Lighting Design: Matt Frey
- Costume Design: Janice Pytel
- Directed by: Les Waters
- Sound Design: Richard Woodbury
Featured Ensemble Members
Reviews
—Time Out Chicago
“This production is not only thought-provoking, it's thought-inspiring.”
—Northwest Indiana Times
“A piece that’s a bit like Thornton Wilder’s Our Town if it had been penned by Dr. Seuss and edited by Samuel Beckett.”
—Chicago Tribune
“A vision of Americana that is dark, gentle and laced with witty humor.”
—Chicago Sun Times
Program Articles
At Steppenwolf, we love to bring actors' voices alive in our programs. For Middletown, we also wanted to talk about how regular places are made important by the memories we attach to them. We asked all of the cast members to answer questions from a list of 20 – some serious, some playful – about places that left an impression in their lives. Here's what they had to say…