>> A son lost in a clash with the police.

A huge cash settlement on the table and a father torn between staying put in Chicago or starting a new that all too real dilemma is what underpins the plate windfall.

A new work written by Oscar-winning Steppenwolf ensemble member.

Terrell Alvin McCranie.

And it's a work that McCranie says he didn't take on lightly.

>> It that someone who lived here has had criminal record.

>> I did stupid, but it >> Windfall was commissioned as part of Steppenwolf Theatre's 50th anniversary season.

And it's the first play written specifically for its ensemble theater with the audience seated in the round and immersive experience that befits the play's emotional weight.

>> The money, It's all Cast member Glenn Davis is also Steppenwolf Co-artistic director, along with Audrey Francis.

Usually actors don't run theater companies.

I think here at Steppenwolf because it's an ensemble theater made up mostly of actors.

We also have directors.

>> Writers, but we started as an acting company and very much still it is hard and it will today among the cast Davis, Alana Arenas and Jon Michael Hill, all of whom appeared in Twenty-twenty Four's purpose, which opened at Steppenwolf and eventually moved to Broadway, winning the 2025, Tony, for best play.

>> The Secret weapon of step of our fun say is the fact that you have these relationships that of traverse time and space over so many years.

>> Including Davis's relationship with fellow ensemble member and windfall playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney.

>> Not only my best friend but also.

One of the great drama NCIS of his generation often talk about the spiritual aspects of theater that we come into a room and we believe together and therefore something act of faith is happening.

In this play.

We're interrogating what we believe.

And I we believe as a society, more than anything that money.

>> Coors more things and we'd like to admit.

Glen Davis told us that this was the play.

You said you were most afraid to write most anxious about why was that?

>> Money is the thing that some people say the root of all evil is based on that wars are started about.

>> Here I was wanting to make a play about the ways in which money are attributed to black bodies, particularly those who are harmed by the city.

>> The challenging material appealed to longtime New York based actor Michael Potts who is making his Steppenwolf debut.

I wanted to work here for a very, very time.

was wondering why at math?

>> take it.

What drew you to this role?

I love.

Puzzles and I love this is kind of.

So he's created about this character about these characters of the end.

This store.

And how it fits in the human experience.

>> The play's infused with the joy of community, the joy of tackling something to gather.

Actor Alana Arenas has no McCranie since high school and the Arts Community Center in Miami.

They both went on to study at the Paul where they met Glen Davis.

>> Maybe more than once our directors looked at us and had to say to have this every 2 there's a lot of there's a lot playfulness and the room.

But it's it's.

>> Cozy, you know, like the old comforting sweater.

As I said, we have not done anything wrong and do not admit to doing anything.

Terrell is very masterful in knowing that we need to have a serious conversation.

But choosing a tone that makes it palatable for us to all engaged.

>> Stephen Wolf has previously staged several of muck.

Rainey's works.

He's also well known as the writer of the Oscar-winning film Moonlight Adapted from one of his own plays.

>> We just saw Ryan Coogler join a club that you're a part black artists recognized with a screenplay Oscar.

What did it feel like to see him up there on that stage man.

>> I Yeah.

It was.

It was extraordinary.

It was extraordinary.

And the way in which he holes his community so close.

>> And that he's a leader in the community felt it was astonishing to see.

>> As Stephen Wolf marks its 50th season, the artist working on windfall are cognizant of the history they're carrying on and helping right.

>> That initial group of ensemble members who started in the Mid 70's.

They've played husband and wife, brother and sister brother on brother, father signed mother daughter.

All the things over 50 years now.

And so to be even know someone that well.

>> Is a gift.

>> The play is directed by away Tempo and also features ensemble member Smallwood just appeared in bug on Broadway with Carrie.

Windfalls Grand opening is on Sunday.

It begins its regular run on Tuesday and is scheduled to run through May 31st.

Up next, meet the woman behind a Chicago repair car repair shop, rather looking to make our care more inclusive.

>> Reflecting the people and