The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Breaking News

Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: Steppenwolf’s “Downstate” is a thought-provoking story that challenges one of society’s most unwavering preconceptions

First Look review: Steppenwolf’s “Downstate” is a thought-provoking story that challenges one of society’s most unwavering preconceptions

By TheRealChicagoOnline
October 18, 2018
2016
0
Share:

By Dante Vaisbort 

Playing at: Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted through Nov. 11. Steppenwolf.org

Basic storyline: In the first act of Bruce Norris’ latest work, Andy (Tim Hopper Fred) confronts Fredrick Nyberg (Francis Guinan) — the man who once molested him. But Fred hardly fits the bill; he’s a jovial, wheelchair-confined old man endeared to his roommates (who are also sex offenders sharing the charity-provided group home). There’s also Dee (K. Todd Freeman), a former dancer who carried out a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old castmate, which he believed to be consensual. Gio (Glenn Davis), who “merely” committed a statutory offense, howls at the outrage of being housed with higher-level offenders. And finally, Felix (Eddie Torres), who molested his preteen daughter but insists he still loves her.

We see how the men’s lives — even after their term of imprisonment ends — are destroyed. Parole officer Ivy (Cecilia Noble) informs the group that, due to new school zoning, they have been confined to a smaller radius and must find a new place to shop. Later, Fred reveals to Andy his paralysis was caused by a man who read about his crimes and nearly beat him to death. Downstate is, if not an attempt to convince an audience to extend pity to a universally despised class of person — the pedophile — is an exploration of the question: These people are out there, so what does society do with them?

Downstate does an excellent job of balancing perspectives and challenging preconceptions. … It invites the audience to consider empathy for those who society extends it to least of all.

In Downstate, the lines are blurred in many ways. There are no clear-cut perpetrators or victims. Dee scoffs at Andy’s claim that a few events from childhood have scarred him throughout his life, while clearly struggling with his own childhood trauma. Yet doubt is cast on Andy’s purpose for visiting the home — and even his story of victimhood.

What stood out: The show does an excellent job of balancing perspectives and challenging preconceptions. Norris’ characters do fall into certain archetypes, but with twists. He also allows for terrible people to be understood while they suffer. Downstate invites the audience to consider empathy for those who society extends it to least of all.

Final thoughts: Downstate is a bold effort given the recent #metoo movement and atmosphere surrounding sexual assault. Norris no doubt intended the show to be incendiary and thought-provoking, and the story that unfolds on stage prompts one to wonder whether men who have done evil things are absolutely evil — or like every one of us — simply flawed.

Tags#metooBruce NorrisDownstateSteppenwolf TheatreThe Real Chicago
Previous Article

Good Eats at Strings Ramen: Mild, spicy, ...

Next Article

First Look review: The Joffrey Ballet’s “Swan ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • General Features

    New on the Scene: A quick look at some of Chicago’s newly opened dining and drinking spots

    October 7, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Tropical escape: Where to find the best island cocktails — and vibes — in Chicago

    August 12, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Dinosaur delight: Curator Peter Makovicky describes the Field Museum’s new exhibit about prehistoric Antarctica

    September 16, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Brunch, bottomless mimosas and plenty of laughs at Second City’s new “Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday” show

    July 30, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Girls night out: Drinks, laughs and online dating talk with the ladies from Second City’s hit “#DateMe: An OkCupid Experiment”

    May 12, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Rock of Ages is captivating, exciting, funny and a seriously rocking good time

    April 25, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    The Halsted boutiques: Don’t be afraid to break away from Michigan Avenue to explore some of Lincoln Park’s trendy shops

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Down-home Chicago: The search for the city’s best comfort food

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Drinks by the lake: Exploring some of Chicago’s best beach bars

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login