**** Steppenwolf Theatre’s latest production, “Leroy and Lucy”, is a haunting, atmospheric journey that entwines mythology with blues legend Robert Johnson’s life and legacy. With rich storytelling and spellbinding performances, this play keeps the audience captivated from start to finish.
Jon Michael Hill delivers a mesmerizing portrayal of Leroy (a fictionalized version of Robert Johnson), the Mississippi blues singer whose raw talent and eerie voice have left an indelible mark on music history. Hill’s authenticity in the role brings Leroy’s character to life so vividly that you forget you’re watching an actor; you’re simply drawn into the Delta, watching a legend unfold.
The play opens with Leroy wandering the misty Delta, where he encounters a mysterious woman, Lucy, played by the magnetic Brittany Bradford. Lucy, barefoot and singing on her guitar, has an enchanting presence. Her voice is captivating, and her songs weave through the play like spells, drawing the audience deeper into this surreal world. Bradford’s performance is otherworldly, with her braided hair arranged to resemble snakes—a nod to Medusa that gives her character an air of mythical danger. As Leroy begins to suspect her true nature, the tension builds, leading to moments that blur the line between reality and myth.
The production design beautifully complements the eerie narrative. Awoye Timpo’s staging ( with a bit of help from choreographer Adesola Osakalumi) keeps the audience enthralled, and Heather Gilbert’s lighting adds an ethereal quality, creating a sense of the Mississippi Delta with moonlit swamps and shadowy landscapes. Timpo’s direction is seamless, making the story feel intensely real and intimate. He took the playwright Nqozi Anyanwu’s mythological story of Robert Johnson to a very believable level.
Leroy and Lucy is a must-see production that showcases Steppenwolf’s commitment to storytelling that resonates nationally and internationally.
“Leroy and Lucy” continues thru December 15th with performances:
Tuesday 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 7:30 p.m.
Friday 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sundays 3 p.m.
Tickets range from $64 to $78, with Pay-What-You-Can and student discounts available.
Visit SteppenwolfTheatre.org or stop by their Halsted Street location, at 1650 N. Halsted. Parking is available in the garage or valet as well as street parking..
You will want to experience this unforgettable play. Call 312-335-1650 and get your tickets now!
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Leroy and Lucy”.
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