RANCH TRIANGLE — Steppenwolf Theatre presents "The Fundamentals," a world premiere from playwright Erika Sheffer, author of "Russian Transport," which formally opened Sunday.
Steppenwolf ensemble member Alana Arenas stars as Milly, a young mother working as a housekeeper at a New York City luxury hotel until she gets a chance to move into management. Complications are sure to ensue.
Arenas starred in the title role of "Marie Antoinette" last year at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted St.
It's directed by ensemble member Yasen Peyankov, who also directed Sheffer's "Russian Transport" at Steppenwolf. That led the company to commission Sheffer's next work, developed as part of its "First Look" series last year.
Regular Steppenwolf attendees will find that, as in "Russian Transport," Sheffer creates a seemingly placid scene in which characters are soon playing each other to their own advantage. Some might also find it prescient in suggesting Donald Trump's America to come, with Audrey Francis particularly good as an officious manager playing her employees against each other.
Longtime Steppenwolf trouper Alan Wilder is particularly good as Abe, head of the hotel's cleaning crew.
It runs through Dec. 23, and tickets range from $20-$89. Sunday's 6 p.m. opening was invitation-only, but after that tickets are available starting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Steppenwolf also announced this week that Ian Barford will star in the world premiere of Tracy Letts' "Linda Vista" opening March 30. Barford plays Wheeler, a man who moves out on his own after his marriage ends.
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