World Premiere

The Fundamentals

Written by Erika Sheffer
Directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov

Main Series

About This Show

"YOU KNOW WHAT BEING NICE GETS YOU? IT GETS YOU THAT MOMENT AFTER YOU LEAVE A ROOM, WHERE EVERYONE LOOKS AT EACH OTHER AND GOES 'SHE'S REALLY NICE, YEAH.' AND THEN THEY FORGET YOU EXISTED."

Millie is a smart, resourceful young mother who works as a housekeeper in one of New York’s premier luxury hotels. When an opportunity to move into management gives her the chance to leave behind her blue collar life, Millie must decide how much, and who, she’s willing to sacrifice to secure her family’s future. A funny and scathing look at America’s corporate culture, The Fundamentals examines the compromises we make in order to fulfill our dreams.

The Fundamentals was commissioned by Steppenwolf and developed as part of the First Look new play series in 2015. Erika Sheffer and ensemble member Yasen Peyankov last teamed up for Steppenwolf’s critically acclaimed production of Russian Transport in 2014.

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Audience Response

Check out what audiences are saying about Steppenwolf's world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov. The cast features ensemble members Alana Arenas, Caroline Neff, and Alan Wilder with Audrey Francis and Armando Riesco.

The Fundamentals - Production Photos

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie) and Armando Riesco (Lorenzo)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble members Alana Arenas (Millie) and Caroline Neff (Stellan)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble members Alan Wilder (Abe) and Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Armando Riesco (Lorenzo) and ensemble members Alan Wilder (Abe) and Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble members Alan Wilder (Abe) and Alana Arenas (Millie) with Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Armando Riesco (Lorenzo) and ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble members Caroline Neff (Stellan) and Alana Arenas (Millie) with Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Armando Riesco (Lorenzo) and ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie) and Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble member Alan Wilder (Abe)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Michael Brosilow

Production photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: November 16, 2016

The Fundamentals - Rehearsal Photos

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie) and Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Erika Sheffer and ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Erika Sheffer and Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Caroline Neff (Stellan)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Armando Riesco (Lorenzo)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Alan Wilder (Abe), ensemble member and director Yasen Peyankov, and ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Alan Wilder (Abe)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member and director Yasen Peyankov, ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie), and Erika Sheffer

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member and director Yasen Peyankov

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Alana Arenas (Millie)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Audrey Francis (Eliza)

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016

Ensemble member Alan Wilder (Abe), and ensemble member and director Yasen Peyankov

Credit: Joel Moorman

Rehearsal photos from Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of THE FUNDAMENTALS, written by Erika Sheffer and directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov.

Date: October 26, 2016