Jul 1, 2025 - Things to Do

Chicago theater legend Robert Falls joins Steppenwolf for 50th anniversary season

Justin Kaufmann

Poster that says 50 with the word Steppenwolf between the 5 and the 0. — Poster: Courtesy of Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Chicago's renowned Steppenwolf Theatre Company is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a star-studded season this fall.

The latest: Legendary Chicago director Bob Falls will make his Steppenwolf directorial debut with "Amadeus" this fall, after the theater announced former artistic director Anna Shapiro is stepping away due to health reasons.

Falls steered the Goodman Theatre for decades before stepping down in 2021.

What they're saying: "On behalf of Anna and the entire ensemble, we are moved and honored to finally welcome Robert Falls for his Steppenwolf directing debut," Steppenwolf artistic directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis said in a release.

"We know that our production is in the inventive and reliable hands of one of the all-time greats."

The intrigue: The theater also announced it is postponing the play "Topdog/Underdog" due to scheduling conflicts and replacing it with Conor McPherson's "The Dance of Death," starring Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry.

Zoom in: The 50th anniversary season will feature actors like K. Todd Freeman, Gary Cole, Yasen Peyankov, Tim Hopper and Kathryn Erbe.

Zoom out: The Chicago theatre company is riding high after its breakout hit "Purpose" went to Broadway and won a slew of Tony Awards.

If you go: Membership packages are being sold. Tickets for the first show of the season, "Mr. Wolf," go on sale July 25.

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Chicago theater legend Robert Falls joins Steppenwolf for 50th anniversary season

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