CHICAGO (April 11, 2012) — Steppenwolf Theatre Company hosts an evening of conversation on Monday, May 7 between two exceptional students of American theater: renowned journalist and former New York Times drama critic Frank Rich and Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey. Inspired by Steppenwolf’s season theme, “Dispatches from the Homefront,” their onstage discussion offers a unique perspective on culture and world events. Following the conversation, the audience has the opportunity to ask questions of Rich and Lavey. The May 7 conversation is part of the theater’s ongoing engagement with theatergoers beyond the productions on Steppenwolf’s stages. The event is on May 7, 2012 at 7pm in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($10) go on sale April 13 at 11am through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 or at steppenwolf.org.

Frank Rich joined New York magazine in 2011 as Writer-at-Large, following a distinguished 31-year career at The New York Times, where he was an OpEd columnist after serving as chief drama critic for 13 years. He has written about culture and politics for many major national publications and is the author of several books, including Ghost Light: a Memoir and The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth from 9/11 to Katrina. He is executive producer of two forthcoming HBO projects: Veep, a new comedy series satirizing Washington, DC, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus; and a documentary about Stephen Sondheim.

Martha Lavey is an ensemble member and the Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre, where she has appeared in more than 20 productions. In Chicago she has performed at the Goodman, Victory Gardens, Northlight and Remains theaters. Martha has served on numerous grants panels, including the National Endowment for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group. She holds a doctorate in Performance Studies and is a recipient of an Alumni Merit Award and Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Northwestern University, and is a member of the National Advisory Council for the School of Communication at Northwestern. She is currently featured in Steppenwolf’s The March.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America’s longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces—the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season and three repertory series: First Look Repertory of New Work, Garage Rep and Next Up. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and nine Tony Awards. Martha Lavey is the Artistic Director and David Hawkanson is the Executive Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf’s Board of Trustees. For additional information, visitsteppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.