About This Show

It's winter in Minnesota and a Zimbabwean-American family is preparing for the wedding of their eldest daughter. When an unexpected guest arrives and the bride surprises the family by insisting on a traditional African ceremony, pre-wedding stress explodes into a full-on family feud. Fiercely funny, fast-paced and filled with love, Familiar is a brilliant portrayal of a tight-knit family searching to preserve their past while building a new future. 

Watch & Listen

FAMILIAR - Audience Response

FAMILIAR - Production Photos

FAMILIAR - Rehearsal Teaser

FAMILIAR - Rhearsal Photos

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.

$30 Pit Seating

See the actors and experience the drama from the most intimate, exciting seats. Pit seats put you as close you can get to the stage, at an affordable price.

Pit seating consists of two rows of hard shell chairs, located directly in front of the stage. These seats are 9-inches lower than Steppenwolf’s “Row A”, where Steppenwolf’s standard theater seating begins.

Purchase pit seating from the ticket selection screen or call Audience Services at 312-335-1650

6 or more $10 discount

Get a group together and save.

For a limited time, groups of 6+ can get a discount on tickets to Familiar and La Ruta.

Enter code 44393, get $10 off each ticket—the more the merrier.

Cast & Artists

The Artists

  • Director Danya Taymor
  • Author Danai Gurira
  • Scenic Design Kristen Robinson
  • Costume Design Ntokozo Fuzunina Kunene
  • Lighting Design Marcus Doshi
  • Sound Design Justin Ellington
  • Company Voice & Text Coach Gigi Buffington
  • Production Stage Manager Malcolm Ewen
  • Assistant Stage Manager Mary Hungerford
  • Original Music Somi
  • Shona Cultural Consultant Kathryn Takabvirwa
  • Intimacy Consultant Sasha Smith
  • Dialect Coach Michelle Lopez-Rios

Featured Ensemble Members

The Cast

Reviews

“Exceptionally insightful…layered, compelling depiction of the unescapable pull of family and history. Uproariously farcical… Familiar explodes into something wholly unexpected”
– Chicago Sun-Times

"Tricky blend of comedy and intense drama"
 –Chicago Tribune  

“Has humor, depth and compassion… moments in ‘Familiar’ border on madcap and the clash of African and American traditions makes for laugh-out-loud scenes” 
–Daily Herald

“Exuberantly boisterous play…the actors light up the stage. With great bursts of raucous humor, as well as zany rom-com moments and deep anguish…[Gurira] infuses ‘Familiar’ with issues of family contention that go well beyond the usual disputes as she explores matters of tradition, culture clash, biological heritage, politics, religion, interracial marriage and identity”
–WTTW

Additional Info

Familiar Program

Downstairs Theatre Info & Seat Map

Memberships–More flexibility + perks

Special Performances

Preview performances:
November 15 - November 25

ASL interpretation:
Sunday, December 9 at 7:30pm

Open-captioned:
Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 and Saturday, December 29 at 3pm

Audio-described and touch tour:
Sunday, December 23 touch tour at 1:30, performance at 3pm

Sponsors

Major Production Sponsors

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.

$30 Pit Seating

See the actors and experience the drama from the most intimate, exciting seats. Pit seats put you as close you can get to the stage, at an affordable price.

Pit seating consists of two rows of hard shell chairs, located directly in front of the stage. These seats are 9-inches lower than Steppenwolf’s “Row A”, where Steppenwolf’s standard theater seating begins.

Purchase pit seating from the ticket selection screen or call Audience Services at 312-335-1650

6 or more $10 discount

Get a group together and save.

For a limited time, groups of 6+ can get a discount on tickets to Familiar and La Ruta.

Enter code 44393, get $10 off each ticket—the more the merrier.

Additional Info

Familiar Program

Downstairs Theatre Info & Seat Map

Memberships–More flexibility + perks

Special Performances

Preview performances:
November 15 - November 25

ASL interpretation:
Sunday, December 9 at 7:30pm

Open-captioned:
Thursday, December 13 at 7:30 and Saturday, December 29 at 3pm

Audio-described and touch tour:
Sunday, December 23 touch tour at 1:30, performance at 3pm

Sponsors

Major Production Sponsors