Steppenwolf’s new 1700 Theatre works perfectly for an early remount of this past winter’s world premiere of Byhalia, Mississippi, a critically acclaimed coproduction from the New Colony and Definition Theatre Company. It has the same black-box intimacy as the opening venue, Wicker Park’s Den Theatre, with the potential of exposing a new audience to actor-playwright Evan Linder’s multilayered southern drama, directed by Definition’s Tyrone Phillips.
In a moment rife with shame and judgment from those she loves most, Laurel nevertheless finds strength thanks to a healthy mix of self-reflection and just not giving a damn. Her mistake made her who she was meant to be, she says—mother to her son. She might not know what she’s doing most days, but she declares her intention of standing her ground. Her house will only have two rules, she vows: love and honesty.
Through 8/21: Thu-Fri 8 PM, Sat 2:30 and 8 PM, Sun 2:30 PM, Steppenwolf Theatre, 1700 Theatre, 1700 N. Halsted, 312-335-1650, thenewcolony.org, definitiontheatre.org, $30.
