Steppenwolf theatre company announces cast for true west. Rob fagin rob is thrilled to make his debut at american players theatre. Markus zusaks the book thief is being adapted into a film for fall. Hallie is a rivendell theatre ensemble member where she directed cal and camo, dry land, and eat your heart out. An adaptation tries to squeeze a 560page ya novel about nazi germany into two hours. This is the first book to chronicle this iconic theatre company, offering an account of its early years and development, its work, and the methodologies that have made it one of the most influential ensemble theatres today. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online daily edition, and email newsletters. S this novel is so finely plotted and the characters so fully formed, that people love to hear about the genesis for this story. Amelie, jitney tony nomination, color purple drama desk nomination, all the way, noises off, machinal tony and drama desk nominations.
By 1985, steppenwolf theatre company was awarded the 1985 regional tony award the first theatre in chicago to win this award. Francis guinan is a member of the steppenwolf theatre company ensemble. Other productions include 1984, and to kill a mockingbird. The magic play at actors theatre of louisville, olney theatre center and goodman theatre. He has appeared in more than 30 steppenwolf productions including the herd, the night alive, tribes, the birthday party, the book thief, time stands still, endgame, american buffalo, fake, the seafarer and august. Heidi and markus zusak took part in the below conversation via email in spring 2012. Pride and prejudice world premiere, the general from america, as you like it, macbeth, measure for measure hudson valley shakespeare festival, two seasons, as you like it folger theatre. Markus zusak was born in 1975 in sydney, australia, the youngest of four children of immigrant german and. Her life is filled with risk and danger but her love of books guides her through a brutal world. Thief in the theater is a book from american girl series, about kit kittredge, young girl growing up during years of great depression. Guinan, an ensemble member at the steppenwolf theatre company and the busy star of the steppenwolf for young adults dramatic adaptation of the book thief, has a reflective, reluctant, gentle, quizzical quality in most everything he does a certain reticence when it comes to sticking in the knife.
The homosexuals, the pride, stupid kids about face. Steppenwolf theatre company adds two friday evening public performances to the world premiere of markus zusaksthe book thief, adapted by heidi stillman, directed by hallie gordon, after selling. The theatre held workshops and postshow discussions, hosted a master teacher workshop and conducted an immersion program through nine school residencies with teaching artists. We also hosted book discussions in branches and at partner sites, accordion performances, drawing workshops for teens, readouts of banned books and more. Could the movie version of the book thief be a sleeper hit. The book thief has been published in over forty languages, topped the amazon charts, and was in the top 10 across all continents. For more information about markus zusak or events happening in conjunction with the chicago public librarys the book thief one book, one chicago programming, please visit. Steppenwolf adds public performances of the book thief. His additional chicago credits include the normal heart at timeline theatre company. With the book thief upstairs and good people downstairs, steppenwolf has launched a kick ass 201220 season.
It was adapted into a play in 2012 by heidi stillman, for the steppenwolf theatre company in chicago. The book thief looks at the terrible cost of violence, bearing witness to our compassion and complicity. Pdf photo by home steppenwolf theatre study guide the book thief october 16 november 9, 2012 based on the novel by markus zusak adapted by heidi stillman directed by hallie gordon steppenwolf for young adults 2012 programming is dedicated to now is the time. Lord of the flies, the book thief, blacktop sky and see what i wanna see at steppenwolf theatre company.
These abhorrent images are tied together fluidly by gordon, and the impact is visceral and unrelenting. Steppenwolf theatre company launches its 201415 subscription season with the chicago premiere production of the night alive by celebrated playwright conor mcpherson. The book thief steppenwolf theatre leisel meminger is a young girl struggling to survive in nazi germany. The title of this book is the book thief and it was written by markus zusak. Parents need to know that the book thief is a historical drama set in wwii germany based on the bestselling youngadult novel by australian author markus zusak.
Steppenwolf for young adults hallie gordon on now is the time and the book thief steppenwolf s education director tells us how theater fits into a. She lives with her mom and dad, along with her three brothers. The novel also shows the destruction of literature and writing, as dramatized by the burning of jewish creative and intellectual products in a book burning to commemorate adolph hitlers birthday. Overview of book thief, the, 20, directed by brian percival, with rainer reiners, carina wiese, rafael gareisen, at turner classic movies. Roberts steppenwolf theatre company adds two friday evening public performances to the world premiere of markus zusaksthe book thief, adapted by heidi stillman, directed by hallie. Aug 22, 20 based on the beloved bestselling book, the book thief tells the inspirational story of a spirited and courageous young girl who transforms the lives of everyone around her when she is sent to live. Liesel finds solace in books, and, as a survival mechanism, has taken to stealing them, whether from the mayors house or a public book burning.
Like the film of john boynes the boy in the striped pyjamas, this picture makes most sense as a drama for intelligent. Johnny oleksinski at steppenwolf theatre, 1650 north halsted, 3123351650. The book thief is a beautiful and heartbreaking story i just finished the book thief by marcus zusack last night. These three chicago institutions have joined forces for now is the time nitt, a themed initiative throughout 2012 linking major projects at each institution, including the fall 2012 one book, one chicago selection, markus zusaks the book thief, a staged adaptation of zusaks book at steppenwolf theatre company and a major facing. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The overwhelming next theatre, cherry orchard strawdog theatre, picnic writers theatre and our town the hypocrites. Heidis adaptation of the book thief premiered at steppenwolf theatre company in 2012. Markus zusak, the book thief, books, awards, wife, net worth. The narrator refers to liesel as the book thief because she steals a. Markus zusak s awardwinning 2006 novel is set in nazi germany and narrated by death. Aug 20, 2017 guthrie sunday in the park with george, the secret fall of constance wilde, a midsummer nights dream, the glass menagerie, romeo and juliet, six degrees of separation, thief river. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. Steppenwolf was a canadianamerican rock band, prominent from 1968 to 1972.
The novel is narrated by death, characterized not as the usual grim reaper, but a sympathetic guardian of the souls of the deceased. Interview with markus zusak chicago public library. The markus zusak novel the book thief has been adapted as a play, now running at the steppenwolf theater in chicago. Steppenwolf theatre company has changed the face of american theatre with its innovative approach that blends dynamic ensemble performance, honest, straightforward acting, and bold, thoughtprovoking stories to create compelling theatre.
This interview is how the book was shaped and why the book was written. Death watches over her, fascinated by humankinds will to live. The australian author, in other words, doesnt softpedal darkness for his youngadult audience. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Combining autobiographical and psychoanalytic elements, the novel was named after the german name for the steppe wolf. Hang your posters in dorms, bedrooms, offices, or anywhere blank walls arent welcome. I must have cried a gallon of tears by the end of it. This production is presented as part of now is the time, a citywide initiative to stop youth violence and intolerance, and in partnership with the chicago public librarys one book, one chicago. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Ends on thursday dec 19th based on the beloved international bestselling book, the book thief tells the story of an extraordinary, spirited young girl sent to live with a foster family in wwii germany. Bio as of october 2014 patrick andrews returns to the goodman, where he previously appeared in the iceman cometh, red and the actor. The story is told from the pov of death as he follows the life of liesel meminger.
The rembrandt, hir, world premieres of monster, animal farm, the book thief, harriet jacobs, the bluest eye and house on mango street. The book thief official trailer hd 20th century fox. Steppenwolf theatre adapting white american youth into. This time, kit solves the mystery, while volunteering at the small town theatre that is going to play macbeth. Then again, the book thief is, perhaps, a victim of its own marketing. The book thief is unsettling and unsentimental, yet ultimately poetic. The book thief published on oct 15, 2012 steppenwolf theatre companys program for our production of the book thief by markus zusak and adapted by heidi stillman. The pride, the homosexuals and stupid kids at about face theatre. During the height of wwii in germany, a recently orphaned adolescent girl named liesel is taken in by a poor couple in the book thief, now receiving its world premiere production at steppenwolf.
November 9, 2012 based on the novel by markus zusak adapted by heidi stillman directed by hallie gordon. See more ideas about holocaust, holocaust museum, holocaust remembrance day. Steppenwolf at 50 gift set 3 disc cd compilation, tshirt, 2 coffee mugs. Its grimness and tragedy run through the readers mind like a blackandwhite movie, bereft of the colors of life. Liesel meminger cannot read when she arrives at her new home, but finds herself drawn to books, which she proceeds to borrow. The book thief is framed by various other books, not the least of which is protagonist liesels memoir, the book thief. The book thief is a steppenwolf for young adults contribution to now is the time. The book thief as theater at steppenwolf in chicago the. Two hours and fifteen minutes includes an intermission at steppenwolf.
This is the first book to chronicle this iconic theatre company, offering an account of its early years and. Wonderful town, the sins of sor juana, rock n roll, and desire under the elms goodman theatre. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in the book thief, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Parade, do the hustle select stage credits include the iceman cometh bamgoodman theatre, american buffalo steppenwolf theatre companymccarter theatre, red goodman theatre arena stage, the normal heart timeline theatre company, metamorphoses lookingglass theatre company, fosse national tour, the. The book thief by markus zusak and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Pride and prejudice primary stages, dance nation playwrights horizons, the tempest the classical theatre of harlem. Recommended the fall 2012 selection for one book, one chicago, the book thief, is a terribly challenging story to adapt for the stage. This book describes the steppenwolf theatre company of chicago in their own words and experiences.
The book thief an exploration of themes mark kim discrimination guilt the theme of discrimination is evident from the beginning of the novel, as the reason why liesel is sent to live with the hubermanns is to distance herself from her parents past communist sympathizing. Steppenwolf theatre companys program for our production of the book thief by markus zusak and adapted by heidi stillman. The book thief as theater at steppenwolf in chicago the new. The book thief by steppenwolf theatre company issuu. Welcome to the book thief by hallie gordon dear friends. Steppenwolf theatre company is americas longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three chicago theater spacesthe 515. The book thief steppenwolf theatre company, speech and debate, the peoples temple american theatre company, cabaret drury lane oakbrook. Intrigued by the only book she brought with her, she begins collecting books as she finds them. A disappearing number, danny casolaro died for you, frostnixon timeline theatre company. The book thief is the story of liesel meminger, a girl living in nazi germany whose foster parents provide refuge for a young jew, max vandenberg, by hiding him in their basement. The book thief is a beautiful and heartbreaking story. William petersen to star alongside rae gray in steppenwolf.
North china lover, bengal tiger at the baghdad zoo, peter pan a play, and trust. Book thief is stealing center stage chicago tribune. Steppenwolf also produced events at the theatre and toured shows throughout chicago. The book theif adds public performances october 5, 2012 michael j. Steppenwolf for young adults hallie gordon on now is the. All proceeds raised by the auxiliary council benefit steppenwolf for young adults. In his book he tries to show how people did try to help one another, but also the cruelty of humans. Francis guinan has been a member of the steppenwolf theatre company ensemble since 1979.
The book thief runs october 16 november 9, 2012 in steppenwolfs upstairs theatre 1650 n halsted st. Steppenwolf began modestly in a chicago suburb before moving to the big city. Originally published in germany in 1927, it was first translated into english in 1929. Rent the book thief 20 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. Markus zusak, a prizewinning author, lives in sydney with his wife and daughter. The book thief navy general library program downloadable. Thank you for joining steppenwolf for young adults 2012 season as we dedicate our programming to now is the time, a citywide call to action against youth violence and intolerance. The doubleday hardback of the book thief, published at the beginning of january 07, stayed in the top ten of the sunday times bestsellers for nine weeks. Its january 1939, and ten year old liesel is traveling by train with her mother and her little brother werner. She loves animals and has a dog of her own, a yellow labrador mix named sandy. He has appeared in more than 30 steppenwolf productions including downstate, you got older, the minutes, the rembrandt, hir, the herd, the night alive, tribes, the birthday party, the book thief, time stands still, endgame, american buffalo, fake, the seafarer, august. See the book thief today, now playing in theaters everywhere.
The book theif adds public performances showbiz chicago. Oct 25, 2012 the novel the book thief, which follows a german girl whose family hides a jewish man during the holocaust, has been adapted as a play at the steppenwolf theater in chicago. Chicago credits include the book thief, south of settling and dublin carol at steppenwolf theatre company. A stage adaptation of the book at steppenwolf theatre presented a wonderful opportunity to see this book brought to life. With the help of her new parents and a secret guest under the stairs, she learns to read and. Liesel is the book thief referred to in the title because liesel is fascinated by the power of words. Interview with author of the book thief steppenwolf theatre. Slowgirl, the book thief and wedding band steppenwolf theatre company. American buffalo and the book thief at steppenwolf theatre company.
Liesel stole books from a grave digger, a bonfire and the mayors wife, ilsa herman. The book thief author markus zusak will sign books after a steppenwolf theatre co. Lizzie is delighted to be designing at the armory for the first time. The book thief runs october 16 november 9, 2012 in steppenwolf s upstairs theatre 1650 n halsted st. Those final forty minutes of the book thief are most definitely what put the s in sya. Orphans is an international theatrical phenomenon, and has been produced in almost every country in the world. Great men of science at lookingglass theatre company and phedre at court theater. Actress, writer and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall.
Thank you to the chicago public library for partnering on the content of this article. Markus zusak interview actress, writer, and director heidi stillman wrote the stage adaptation of the book thief, playing at steppenwolf theatre this fall. There are many scenes of violence, from the way the nazis treat jews, to schoolyard fights, to recurring bomb threats. Chicago public library, facing history and ourselves and.
The magic play cast and creative team portland center. A tricky maze of dividing right from wrong chicago tribune. Filled with sadness, tragedy and bits of happiness all mixed into wwii in germany. Bio as of december 2015 nicole wiesner was previously seen at the goodman in shining city, also directed by robert falls, and passion play after dark award. Throughout the story the book thief, the author, markus zusak, uses his main character liesel meminger to demonstrate that, although words often start off as innocent, with personal experiences their true power becomes evident and often times it becomes easier to see their ugliness than the beauty they can bring. Heidi stillman of markus zusaks 2006 novel the book thief.