Thursday through Saturday at 8p, and Mondays at 7:30p

The Better Half is a dance-theater spin on the 1944 psychological thriller Gaslight, directed by George Cukor. Launching from this classic film, layers of fiction and reality accumulate, revealing the elusive boundaries between performer and character, actual and scripted relationships, life versus borrowed plotlines. Ultimately a new narrative emerges, capturing the habitual patterns, escapist tendencies, and resilience in contemporary relationships through a complex mix of dance and theater languages.

Rhoads and Danzig approached the staging of The Better Half with a commitment to actual experience. The performers are first and foremost themselves. They are assigned characters. The thriller plot is handed to them. The imposed elements cause  the performers to react, and their reactions further the plot. The actual effects on the performers in trafficking between the composed plot and the live circumstances deliver a coherent narrative arc that grapples with fact and illusion, life and art and the way these opposites can get entangled.

The Better Half is the first of three collaborations between two leading Chicago creators. Rhoads and Danzig are excited to bring a fresh perspective with new ensemble members and draw from discoveries made during the premiere run and tours. They have learned that audiences are drawn to their use of humor in unexpected tension with complex themes, and respond to the authenticity of presence and spontaneity that triggers questions about what is planned and what is improvised. 


The creation, presentation, and touring of the premiere version of The Better Half (2011-2014) was made possible through the support of many generous individuals, partners, and awards, including: National Dance Project, with support from New England Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with National Endowment for the Arts; National Performance Network Creation Fund, with commissioning partners Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago and Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center; Audience Architects’ New Stages for Dance, with leadership from Dance/USA and MetLife Foundation; Pamela Crutchfield; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; and Boeing.

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.

Offers/Discounts

  • Senior ($30 tickets) - use code LPSENIOR
  • Military ($30 tickets) - use code LPMILITARY
  • Student ($15 tickets) - use code LPSTUDENT
  • Industry Tickets ($25 tickets, only available for 11/5 and 11/12 Performances) - use code LPINDUSTRY

Terms
Codes valid online or over the phone up to an hour before performance. IDs will be checked at will call for proof of age, student status, military status, or industry status.

Double Feature

On November 10 and 17, take advantage of a discounted Lucky Plush Saturday double feature with a work-in-progress showing of Rink Life at 5 pm, and the signature Lucky Plush work The Better Half at 8 pm. Tickets for both shows are $60. Just add both tickets to your cart and the discount will apply automatically.

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.

Offers/Discounts

  • Senior ($30 tickets) - use code LPSENIOR
  • Military ($30 tickets) - use code LPMILITARY
  • Student ($15 tickets) - use code LPSTUDENT
  • Industry Tickets ($25 tickets, only available for 11/5 and 11/12 Performances) - use code LPINDUSTRY

Terms
Codes valid online or over the phone up to an hour before performance. IDs will be checked at will call for proof of age, student status, military status, or industry status.

Double Feature

On November 10 and 17, take advantage of a discounted Lucky Plush Saturday double feature with a work-in-progress showing of Rink Life at 5 pm, and the signature Lucky Plush work The Better Half at 8 pm. Tickets for both shows are $60. Just add both tickets to your cart and the discount will apply automatically.