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CHICAGO — Kathryn Erbe, renowned for her work on both stage and screen, and a long-time member of the Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble, has made a triumphant return to Chicago.
After several years away, Erbe is captivating audiences once again in the production of “The Dance of Death.”
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The actress describes this dark comedy as a nostalgic return to her roots in the theatre scene.
“The Dance of Death,” penned by August Strindberg and reimagined by Connor McPherson, delves into the tumultuous relationship of a couple trapped in a bitter marriage, infused with humor.
“Life can be dark and mundane, but this couple finds a way to make it thrilling, even if there are consequences,” Erbe explained. “Her character is a force of nature—fierce and fiery. It’s exhilarating to explore that side and recognize it within myself. As I’ve reached 60, there’s a newfound freedom in embracing who I am now, something I never experienced before,” she added.
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She touched on being part of the Steppenwolf legacy.
“It’s quite truthfully a dream come true; I could cry,” Erbe said. “I don’t have words to say how meaningful it is to be a member of this company that has brought me personally such inspiration. I could see how audiences come to participate. They come to collaborate almost. They want you to be good; they want to enjoy the experience, and meet, meet one more than halfway it feels like.”
She said she had her own perspective on the work.
“I brought that, and they said, ‘thank you.’ And that is not always the case everywhere. I love who I am, and I value myself. And I bring myself to these characters. And I get to live as someone else for awhile, and that’s fun. And I think it really brings empathy,” Erbe said. “We’re so divided and any way we can come together and have joy and humor and humanity I think is a good thing.”
“The Dance of Death” is at Steppenwolf through March 22.
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