This is a story about money. Don’t let them fool you otherwise. When a Chicago father loses his child in a clash with the police, he is visited by three strangers who advise him to take the city’s cash settlement, relocate and forget his grief–or else remain haunted by memories of the world his child fought so hard to protect. This Windfall poses a dilemma: how much is a dead body worth?
The story centers on Henri ‘Mr. Mano’ Tamaño, played by Michael Potts, whose child, Eli, played by Esco Jouléy, is killed by police. He faces pressure to accept a large financial settlement to “forget his grief,” turning the narrative into a profound meditation on whether money can, or should, buy justice.
The Windfall brings to light the question of valuing human life in the face of systemic injustice.
As such, this world premiere from Academy Award-winning ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney, playing at Steppenwolf Theatre, is a vital and timely look at the spirit of activism set against the most indifferent system of them all: the almighty dollar.
THE THEATRE’S NEAR North Side marquee.
Steppenwolf Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis comment, “When we commissioned ensemble member Tarell Alvin McCraney to write a new play specifically built for our in-the-round Ensemble Theater as a centerpiece of Steppenwolf’s 50th season, we weren’t sure what he’d create. But, given that Tarell is one of the most talented writers of his generation, we were not at all surprised that he delivered a stunning, lyrical and undeniably bold script. This is a play for our moment, for our city, tailor-made for an ensemble cast and this unique venue. We eagerly anticipate sharing this vital Chicago story with our community.”
This play in-the-round provides a great look at what happens when the police converge on a group of protesters and decide to neutralize the situation, and a member of the group ends up dead.
The group had gathered to protest the inability of the police to find a missing child. They had been warned and, unfortunately, things get out of hand.
It’s such a dilemma but a sad statement on the price of a body, when Eli turns up dead.
“Windfall” reunites ensemble members Alana Arenas (First Lady, Second Wife, Miss Second, The Last One); Glenn Davis (Marcus); and Jon Michael Hill (Nurse, Cori), who starred in Steppenwolf’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Purpose,” joined by ensemble member Namir Smallwood, (Officer, Brother 1)—direct from his Broadway turn in “Bug,” which was also staged at Steppenwolf at the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak.
STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY’s world premiere of “Windfall” features (top, left to right) ensemble members Alana Arenas, Glenn Davis, Jon Michael Hill (bottom, left to right) and Namir Smallwood with Esco Jouléy (Eli) and Michael Potts.
Jouléy (“Dying for Sex”) and Potts (“The Wire,” “The Piano Lesson–Broadway”) are both in their Steppenwolf debuts.
The play was directed by Awoye Timpo.
The ensemble cast is terrific, especially Arenas, who expertly delivers in the three characters in which she plays. I adore Smallwood in anything in which he appears. I have written about him in an indie film called “Rounding” and a short film called “Bailey’s Blues.” Moreover, I have interviewed Hill at length for this column.
The rest of the cast are equally as good. I have seen some reviews where folks say they were blown out the water with this production. “Windfall” is good and not to be missed.
However, since the subject matter is close to home for those in the African American community, I enjoyed the production but was mostly intrigued by the setting and the amenable personas of the cast members during the “call and response” portions—particularly by Davis, who plays the ghost of another deceased son named Marcus.
Blacks have been killed by police officers for the slightest infractions for many years—with social media adding to the projection of said killings.
It was a good performance and if nothing else, it made me reflect on the many police settlements that the city of Chicago make and whether those affected families consider the influence of the “blood money,” or do they figure the settlement checks will compensate for their loved ones.
The Theatre’s campus at 1650 N. Halsted St. is beautiful with valet parking and a quaint bar for pre- or post-performance quick bites.
“Windfall” runs through May 31 during Steppenwolf’s 50th Anniversary Season. For more information, visit Steppenwolf.org.