RANCH TRIANGLE — Phylicia Rashad will return to Chicago next year to direct the final play of the 2017-18 season for Steppenwolf Theatre.
Recently honored as part of a company fundraiser, Rashad will direct "The Roommate," a comedy by playwright Jen Silverman, slated to make its Chicago debut in June 2018.
According to Steppenwolf, the play concerns the mismatched pair of Sharon, described as "Midwestern nice," and Robyn, from the Bronx. Ensemble members Ora Jones and Sandra Marquez are expected to star.
Rashad, of course, is best known for her role as Clair Huxtable in the NBC sitcom "The Cosby Show." But she also excels at drama, having starred in Steppenwolf's Broadway production of Tracy Letts' "August: Osage County," directed by Anna Shapiro, now the company's artistic director.
"We are thrilled to have the phenomenal Phylicia Rashad join us next season," Shapiro said. "Her captivating artistry spans theater, television and film, and her work continues to break boundaries.
"It was a true joy to pay honor to her at this year’s "Women in the Arts" luncheon," Shapiro added, "and we look forward to welcoming her back to direct this beautiful play."
Letts also is expected to have a new Steppenwolf play next season. "The Minutes" will debut in November before moving on to Broadway next spring. Letts' "Linda Vista" premieres later this month at Steppenwolf.
