Lela & Co.
By Cordelia Lynn, directed by Robin Witt
Instinct, tenacity, biting humor, and trust in the future keep Lela alive as her world closes in around her. Based on a true story, Lela & Co. is an eerily funny and enthralling story about the courage and perseverance of women in conflict zones.
"a flawless piece of work"
"Lynn is writing about the collision of terrible circumstances and a vibrant human spirit. And that's exactly what the performance by Gonzalez-Cadel communicates."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16
Performance Schedule
Previews: July 8 - 12, 2017
Press Opening: July 13, 2017
Performances: July 13 - September 16, 2017
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm
Sunday afternoons at 3pm
Full Performance Calendar
Accessibility
Audio Description and a Touch Tour will be available on Saturday, August 5.
Open Captioning will be available on Sunday, August 13.
Contact us at access@steeptheatre.com or 773-649-3186 for more information or to reserve tickets.
Production Sponsors: Ken Burlington, Lani Mesa Ellis & William Blair & Co, Lisa & Randy White
Running Time: 1 hour 40 minutes with no intermission
Wait List: If a performance you'd like to attend is sold out, please email info@steeptheatre.com to be added to the wait list. Unclaimed tickets will be released to the wait list at curtain time.
Late seating at Lela & Co. is not possible. Any seats not claimed by performance time may be released to those on the wait list.
Content Advisory: This production is intended for adult audiences. For more detailed information on the play's content, please visit our content advisory page.
CAST:
Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel
Chris Chmelik
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Director – Robin Witt*
Stage Manager – Lauren Lassus**
Set Design – Joe Schermoly
Lighting Design – Brandon Wardell**
Sound Design – Thomas Dixon**
Costume Design – Jessica Kuehnau Wardell
Prop Design – Maria DeFabo**
Fight Choreography – Christina Gorman
Dramaturg – Carina Abbaticchio
Assistant Directors – Michael Rogerson & Isabel Perry
Production Manager – Julia Siple*
*Denotes Steep Company Member
**Denotes Steep Artistic Associate
In the Press
4 STARS - "a flawless piece of work"
"Lynn is writing about the collision of terrible circumstances and a vibrant human spirit. And that's exactly what the performance by Gonzalez-Cadel communicates."
"Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel, a young Chicago actress with roots in Argentina and whose work here is so extraordinarily empathetic it's hard to do it justice in a review."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Read the full review.
When great theater can be experienced on a budget
"This British work is a superb piece of feminist writing about cross-border human trafficking, and how male relatives are usually complicit in such situations. But even though the topic is tough and the picture it paints of Eastern European war zones is enough to make you want to despair, the play somehow manages to paint a resilient, optimistic picture of its titular character, magnificently played by Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel."
-Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune
Read the full article.
"Lela & Co is a powerful, moving, drama that reaches into the soul by tugging relentlessly on the heartstrings. ... If you love theatre, you must see this production."
-Terry Boyle, Irish American News
Read the full review.
"It was, in short, one of the most remarkable and poignant pieces of Chicago theatre I have seen--a production which reminds us that the “truth” or, for that matter, “history,” is oftentimes determined by those in power."
-Emily Schmidt, The Hawk
Read the full review.
"No, Cordelia Lynn’s play isn’t easy to watch, but it is essential."
-Hallie Palladino, Rescripted
Read the full review.
"Basada en una historia real, lamentablemente en muchas historias reales, Lela & Co. , siendo un retrato vehemente la injusticia, la violencia, la soledad, la misoginia y la trata de personas, es una historia inexplicablemente divertida y apasionante, que nos hace pensar y sentir."
-Belén Caccia para Teatristas.
Lee la reseña completa.
"Both actors are fantastic, but Gonzalez-Cadel gives a performance that will linger in your memory."
"“Intimate” is a word that gets thrown around a lot in Chicago ... but Lela & Co. is one of few recent shows that has done the word any real justice."
-Alex Huntsberger, TimeOut Chicago
Read the full review.
"Lela & Co. is beautifully written, directed and acted, with a stunning lead performance from Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel.
-Lauren Whalen, Chicago Theater Beat
Read the full review.
"...creatively staged and fiercely directed by Robin Witt."
-Nancy Bishop, Third Coast Review
Read the full review.
"Lela tells her story with grace and spirit, ... Cordelia Lynn’s spectacularly emotional script pairs well with Robin Witt’s intricate directing."
-Katherine Foley, Picture This Post
Read the full review.
Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel "handles this character’s journey with fearlessness and impressive emotional dexterity."
"...this world is not just a concept – it is mine, and this truth is what thwacked me in the heart."
Bec Willett, PerformInk
Read the full review.
About Lela & Co
Closing out Steep's 16th season is the U.S. Premiere of Cordelia Lynn’s Lela & Co., directed by Steep Ensemble Member Robin Witt. Lela & Co. will mark the U.S. debut for the 26 year-old Lynn, who is a rapidly rising playwright in the UK. Robin Witt is a longtime director at Steep and has been in the director's chair for the some of the company's most memorable shows, including Simon Stephens’ Motortown, Pornography, and Harper Regan; and Alistair McDowall’s Brilliant Adventures. She won the 2015 and 2016 Jeff Award for Best Director for Griffin Theatre's Flare Path and London Wall. Lela & Co. premiered at the Royal Court in London to critical acclaim.
