The Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater will present the gritty psychological crime drama, A Steady Rain, by Keith Huff on January 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. in the Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio at 185 Nassau Street. A Steady Rain is a senior thesis production directed by faculty member R.N. Sandberg and featuring Adam Stasiw and JT Glaze, certificate students in the Program in Theater.
“A Steady Rain is the story of two Chicago cops, lifelong buddies, trying to save their friendship and their shared family as they confront the toughest city streets and their own personal failings,” explains Sandberg. “Vindictive pimps, disoriented teens, vulnerable prostitutes and a serial killer challenge their moral compass and emotional balance. This gritty, poetic psychological drama raises questions about the burdens and scope of responsibility, the unpredictable impact of elicit love, and the inevitable pull of violence.”
Princeton University seniors Adam Stasiw (left) and JT Glaze rehearse for a production of the gritty psychological crime drama A Steady Rain by Keith Huff at the Lewis Center for the Arts, directed by faculty member R.N. Sandberg. Photo by Paul Csogi
Stasiw and Glaze portray Joey and Denny, the two policemen, who are lifelong friends. This two-actor show takes a unique theatrical form in a series of duologues and monologues, moving between past and present, with Joey and Denny trying to convince the authorities, the audience, and themselves that what they’ve done is right, that it is all they could have done to meet their obligations and salvage their lives.
Written by Keith Huff, A Steady Rain premiered in Chicago in 2007. It won the Joseph Jefferson Award, Chicago’s equivalent of the Tony Awards, for Best New Work, Best Actor, and Best Production. In 2009, it opened on Broadway starring Daniel Craig and Hugh Jackman and was named by Time magazine as one of the top ten shows of the year. Huff is also a television writer and producer for the hit show, Mad Men.
Stasiw and Glaze are probably best known on campus for their work with the Princeton Triangle Club, an original musical comedy group. Glaze is the president, and both Glaze and Stasiw are cast members. Both have done extensive theater work inside and outside the Lewis Center, appearing together in last year’s production of Hamlet at the Lewis Center, and in student productions such as Admissions, which was directed by Glaze and starred Stasiw. In addition, Stasiw has been seen in productions such as the musical Assassins and sings with the a cappella group, the Nassoons. Glaze has appeared in productions on campus such as Romeo and Juliet and Recent Tragic Events.
Faculty member Sandberg most recently directed Gaslight and The Heidi Chronicles for Princeton Summer Theater and A Broad Abroad and Fires in the Mirror for the Lewis Center’s Theater Program. Also a playwright, Sandberg’s IRL is currently being toured by George Street Playhouse and his newest work, the comedy Roundelay, will premiere at Passage Theatre in March.
Tickets for A Steady Rain are $12 general admission, $10 for students and seniors, and are available through Princeton University Ticketing by calling 609.258.9220 or on-line at or at the Frist Campus Center Ticket Office.
The Lewis Center’s Program in Theater annually presents a major, professionally produced play in the fall, as well as several student senior thesis productions throughout the year. Upcoming productions include Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Marina Carr’s Woman and Scarecrow, Sarah Ruhl’s In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play, the Stephen Sondheim musical Sunday in the Park with George, and new original plays and performance pieces.
