Gugino Departs Goodman's 'DESIRE' 2/17, Carle Plays Final Weeks

Carla Gugino's final bow as Abbie Putnam in Goodman Theatre's hit Desire Under the Elms directed by Artistic Director Robert Falls is Tuesday, February 17. Per a pre-production arrangement, Gugino departs the production to fulfill press commitments for the releases of her films Watchmen and Race to Witch Mountain, both opening in early March.

Gugino's understudy Amy J. Carle assumes the role for the final two weeks of performances beginning Wednesday, February 18 at 7:30pm.

Recently extended by popular demand and the centerpiece of the Goodman's landmark theatrical event, "A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century," Desire Under the Elms has been hailed by critics as "enormous, powerful" (Chicago Tribune), "blistering [and] bold" (Chicago Sun-Times). Performances are scheduled through March 1 in the Goodman's 856-seat Albert Ivar Theatre. Falls' cast also includes stage and screen stars Brian Dennehy (Goodman's Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey Into Night), Pablo Schreiber (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Awake and Sing!), Boris McGiver (The Wire) and Daniel Stewart Sherman (Broadway's Cyrano de Bergerac).

Amy J. Carle makes her Goodman debut in Desire Under the Elms. Her Chicago credits include Honus & Me at Chicago Children's Theatre, Hedda Gabler at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Refuge at CollaborAction for which she was nominated for a Jeff Award, Mom's the Word at Royal George Theatre, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole at Rivendell Theatre Ensemble and The Winter's Tale at Footsteps. Her credits as a founding member of Roadworks Productions include SubUrbia, The Lights for which she was nominated for a Jeff Award, Ecstasy, WAS and The Planets. She appeared in the off-Broadway national tour of The Vagina Monologues. Ms. Carle's regional credits include Fully Committed and The Diary of Anne Frank at Madison Repertory Theatre; ASWAT Festival at New York Theatre Workshop; and Morning Star at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Her television credits include Law & Order and The Guiding Light.

Tickets for Desire Under the Elms are $25 - $82 and may be purchased online at GoodmanTheatre.org, at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800.

Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone. 10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312.443.3820.

UBS is the Lead Corporate Sponsor for "A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century" and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is the Sponsor Partner. Motorola Foundation is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Allstate is the Corporate Sponsor Partner and The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation is the Sponsor Partner for Desire Under the Elms. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Governor's International Arts Exchange Program of the Illinois Arts Council.