Ian Belknap, performing in "Sin"
photo by Michael Brosilow

Ian Belknap, the silver tongued Mephistopheles rolls the silky words of wisdom
and caution to the souls seated before him.  Each performance has a different 
and shifting cast of actors and actresses.

If the direction and scripts are the same from show to show, two hours seems 
a bit long for all the "Sins" to vent without an intermission.  The garage located 
venue speaks well to the experimental nature of the work performed.  The 
writing is very well done and quite amusing from time to time.  My strongest 
critique would be directed at small but significant transitions.  When a monologue
calls for the reader to read from a selection by "Mark Twain" it would have
been a better flow if the reader had memorized the first three lines of text
and then resorted to book reading.  That short lapse of memorized lines gives
a feel of indolence in performance.  There are some rough edges here and
there, but entertainment nonetheless. "Real Art in a parking garage", is true
and welcome to one and all.  For a mere $10.00 you will have plenty to
talk about over coffee or under the sheets.  Keep LUST alive and come
see Love and Sin.

STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS
 The Garage at Steppenwolf presents
 Love & Sin: A Solo Experience, 
created and performed by solo artists
Ian Belknap, Jenny Magnus, Lusia Strus 
and Cheryl Trykv
 

Chicago—Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents Love & Sin: A Solo Experience,
a new collection of dynamic solo works created and performed in rotating repertory 
by Ian Belknap, Jenny Magnus, Lusia Strus and Cheryl Trykv.  The production opens
in the Garage Theatre at Steppenwolf on Thursday, June 6, 2002.  All tickets are $10.
 

Jenny Magnus, Lusia Strus and Cheryl Trykv, three bold and boundless women 
writer/performers, explore the many meanings of love, each in their own high energy 
and hilarious way on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.

Cutting-edge comedian Ian Belknap unleashes his devilish minions—some of the city’s
most talented monologists—on the subject of the seven deadly sins in Something Wicked 
This Way Comes.  Ian Belknap and Bryn Magnus will appear in all Friday and Sunday
performances.  Greg Allen, Jim Carrane, Barry Cole, Sheila Donahue, Jeffrey Essmann,
Larry Grimm, Susan McLaughlin Karp, Mike McKune, Tracy Letts, Jenny Magnus, 
Johnny Mars, Michael Martin, Beau O’Reilly, Amy Krouse Rosenthal, David Pasquesi, 
Cin Salach, Stacy Sargent, Paul Turner, and Teresa Weedb will be appearing in
certain performances on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.
 

Ian Belknap is a writer/performer who has appeared on Chicago stages ranging from 
Zanies Comedy Club to the Museum of Contemporary Art. As a comedian, he's 
appeared in the Chicago Comedy Festival and has opened for Steven Wright and 
Dennis Miller. As an actor he's appeared in shows ranging from Curious Theatre 
Branch's brilliant wrestling play Loser's Alias to CBS Television's less than imaginative
Early Edition.  He will release a solo show, Dancing With The Devil, this fall or winter. 

Lusia Strus was previously seen at Steppenwolf in Hysteria and Our Town and 
Whispering City with Arts Exchange.  She has also narrated WBEZ's documentary 
broadcasts of the Traffic series since its premiere.  Earlier this year, she played Ludmilla 
in European Repertory's Go away. Go away.  Lusia has worked at the Goodman, 
Northlight, Victory Gardens, Cook County Theatre Dept., Lifeline, and several other
theatres in Chicago.  Regional credits include Big Love at BAM in Brooklyn and Quake
at the 2001 Humana Festival at Actor's Theatre of Louisville.  Her first solo show, I'm Too 
Busy to be Famous premiered at Donny's Skybox Theater at The Second City in Chicago
and was remounted at PSNBC in New York.  She has been a member of the Neo 
Futurists since 1993. 

Jenny Magnus, a performer and writer, co-founded The Curious Theatre Branch 
(1988) with which she has performed, written, produced, or worked the door for 
most of their 57 productions.  She has performed her work in many venues in Chicago 
and has toured the United States and Germany.  Her plays The Trips: A Madras Parable 
and The Lucky Ones have been performed at Steppenwolf’s Studio and Garage 
Theatres, respectively.  She has released several CDs and performed with numerous 
bands, including Maestro Subgum and the Whole.  Jenny teaches in the Interdisciplinary 
Art Department of Columbia College.

Cheryl Trykv has performed at numerous venues in Chicago, including Annoyance 
Theater, Blue Rider Theater, Chopin Theater, the Goodman, Lunar Cabaret, The Lyric
Opera, and at The Museum of Contemporary Art.  Trykv has contributed to Ira Glass’ 
This American Life, Miss Milly’s Orchid Show, and has shared evenings with numerous
luminaries, including Henry Rollins, Nora Dunn, Jim Carroll, Exene Cervenka, at NYC’s
Gusto house with John Leguizamo and at La Mama, etc. with David Sedaris. Named 
Chicago’s Favorite Stand Up Performer (People’s Choice) in New City’s  “1998 Best
of Chicago” issue.

Previews for Love & Sin: A Solo Experience are June 6-9 and June 13-15, 2002.  The 
production opens on Thursday, June 16, 2002.  Regular performances run June 20-23,
June 27-30, and July 5-7, 2002.  Performances are Thursdays through Saturdays at 
8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 7:00 p.m.  The Merle Reskin Garage at Steppenwolf 
Theatre is located at 1624 N. Halsted Street, just south of the Mainstage theater building.

Ticket prices are $10.00 for all performances. 

Box office hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on 
days with evening performances.  The box office number is 312-335-1650. 
Tickets can also be ordered on-line at www.steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair
accessible.  Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.  Street 
and lot parking are available. 

The Steppenwolf Garage Theatre is a point of entry for a next generation of theater 
artists at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The company’s most intimate performance 
space, the Steppenwolf Garage Theatre showcases the work of emerging actors, 
directors, writers and designers and is dedicated to nurturing the best new voices
in the American theater.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago-based international performing arts
institution committed to ensemble collaboration and artistic risk through work with its 
permanent ensemble, guest artists, partner institutions and the community.  Founded
in 1976 as an ensemble of nine actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally 
renowned company of thirty-three artists whose talents include acting, directing,
playwriting, filmmaking, and textual adaptation.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is located near all forms of
public transportation and is wheelchair accessible.
Assistive listening devices are available for every
performance. Street and lot parking are available.
 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's programs are partially
supported by grants from the National Endowment for the
Arts, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and
by a CityArts Program 4 grant from the City of Chicago
Department of Cultural Affairs.
 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is a Chicago-based
international performing arts institution committed
to ensemble collaboration and artistic risk through
work with its permanent ensemble, guest artists, partner
institutions and the community. Founded in 1976 as an
ensemble of nine actors, Steppenwolf has grown into
an internationally renowned company of thirty-three
artists whose talents include acting, directing,
playwriting, filmmaking, and textual adaptation.