Synopsis

In 1914, renowned mystery writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle invites four guests to his English country home. Each visitor has a connection to the infamous "Piltdown Man," purported to be the missing link between ape and man—later exposed as a hoax. Swinging back and forth through time, Fake investigates how “Piltdown” rattled assumptions about evolution, faith and science—and how we are transformed by our quest for the truth.

Ensemble member Eric Simonson recently completed a documentary on the late Studs Terkel for HBO. Simonson received a Tony® nomination for his direction of Steppenwolf's The Song of Jacob Zulu with Ladysmith Black Mambazo and directed an Oscar®-nominated documentary about the acclaimed South African singing group. Simonson received an Oscar® for Best Documentary Short for his film A Note of Triumph: The Golden Age of Norman Corwin in 2006. Other directing credits at Steppenwolf include Carter’s Way (also playwright), Slaughterhouse-Five (also adaptor) and Nomathemba (Hope).

Running Time

Running Time: 2 hours 10 minutes, 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

Cast & Artists

The Artists

Featured Ensemble Members

The Cast

Program Articles

In the Throes of Crisis

Ensemble Member Eric Simonson’s play Fake draws upon historical figures, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Letter from the Artistic Director on Fake

Artistic Director Martha Lavey explores the question of authenticity in Fake

Overthinking the Play: Fake

I've always liked to think too much, or so I’ve been told.

Secrets of a Costume Designer

Fake is about the discovery of the "Piltdown Man" skull in 1914 England and the subsequent proof that it was a hoax four decades later in 1953.

The Mystery of Piltdown Man

Is it possible that Charles Dawson, an amateur archeologist, discovered one of the most important finds of the 20th century?

The Reality Behind Fake

Associate Artistic Director David New sits down with Playwright and Director Eric Simonson about his new play Fake.

Running Time

Running Time: 2 hours 10 minutes, 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.