The world premiere of Ms. Blakk For President, co-written by Oscar winner Tarell Alvin McCraney and Tony nominee Tina Landau, is set to begin performances at Steppenwolf Theatre Company May 23 ahead of a June 3 opening. The production, directed by Landau, is schedule to play run through July 14 in Chicago.
Described by Steppenwolf as part campaign rally, part nightclub performance, part confessional, and "all PARTY!," Ms. Blakk For President takes us into the heart and mind of one of Chicago’s most radical and influential citizens: Ms. Joan Jett Blakk. Set in 1992 with the AIDS crisis at its height, Joan and the newly formed Queer Nation Chicago are determined to drag queer politics out of the closet.
Flip through photos of rehearsal below:
McCraney returns to the stage as the lead in Ms. Blakk For President alongside Patrick Andrews, Molly Brennan, Daniel Kyri, Jon Hudson Odom, and Sawyer Smith.
The production features scenic design David Zinn, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Heather Gilbert, projection design by Rasean Davonte Johnson, and sound design and original music by Lindsay Jones.
For more information, go to www.steppenwolf.org/.
