Look What's Happening At The Goodman Theatre!

AUGUST 8 – 24 FEST FEATURES ATTRACTIONS FOR ALL AGES, INCLUDING Culture Clash, MARTA CARRASCO, MEXICAN PUPPETRY AND MORE
 
Goodman Theatre proudly announces initial plans for its 4th biennial Latino Theatre Festival, curated by Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez. Running August 8 – 24, 2008, the Festival includes Culture Clash's Culture Clash in AmeriCCa; Barcelona-based Marta Carrasco's J'arrive, a compilation of her works over the past ten years; Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca, Laura Crotte's Mexican-musical adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding; Taking Flight by Adriana Sevan; and De La Oreja Al Corazon, an imaginative puppet piece from Mexico City.  
 
Chicago companies participating in the festival include Albany Park Theater Project, Teatro Luna, Teatro Vista and Aguijón Theater Company; programs and dates to be announced, as well as the new play readings, community events and panel discussions that augment the Festival.
 
"This summer's Latino Theatre Festival unites old and new friends of the Goodman—and more than ever, we're offering programming that involves our younger audiences," said Henry Godinez, who most recently directed The Cook by Eduardo Machado at the Goodman. "For this 4th biennial celebration of Latino culture, we continue our commitment to showcasing some of the most extraordinary international and national companies, and we've expanded our inclusion of the finest local talent in creative and exciting new ways. I'm looking forward to sharing these rich and dynamic events with all of Chicago." 
 
For the past six years, Goodman Theatre's biennial Latino Theatre Festival has been a key component in the theater's effort to foster collaborations and presentations with international theater companies—including and beyond the English speaking world. In the upcoming 2008/2009 season, the Goodman expands its global reputation by introducing a world programming component for its exploration of American playwright Eugene O'Neill's work as it is being produced now, in the 21st century, by companies around the world including Toneelgroep Amsterdam and Companhia Triptal of Brazil. The Goodman has established an international profile over the years with productions of The Merchant of Venice in London, Paris and Hamburg; Death of a Salesman in London; Galileo Galilei in London and The Iceman Cometh in Dublin. "In a world in which globalization is a reality, it is essential that outstanding work from the US travels abroad and, at the same time, that Americans experience the cultural life of the rest of the world," said Artistic Director Robert Falls.
 
A preliminary schedule for Goodman Theatre's 2008 Latino Theatre Fest follows.
Tickets are on sale as of May 29.
 
Chicago Children's Theatre presents
Esperanza Rising 
Based on the book by Pam Muñoz Ryan, adapted by Lynne Alvarez
Directed by Henry Godinez
July 12 – August 10 in the Owen Theatre
 
In the Chicago Children's Theatre's production of Esperanza Rising, the daughter of a wealthy Mexican rancher who is forced to abandon a life of privilege during the Mexican Revolution—and flee into the dangers and challenges of a new migrant life in the United States. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.
 
Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca 
Written and performed by Laura Crotte
August 8 – 10, in the Owen Theatre
 
Al Son Que Me Toques, Lorca is Laura Crotte's Mexican-musical adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca's famous Spanish tragedy of
forbidden lust and betrayal, Blood Wedding. A native of Veracruz, Mexico, Crotte has performed in Chicago at Goodman Theatre in Mariela in the Desert as well as at Steppenwolf, Chopin Theatre and the Mexican Fine Arts Center. She is an ensemble member of Teatro Vista. 
   
Culture Clash in AmeriCCa
Written and performed by Culture Clash 
August 14 – 17
In the Albert Theatre
 
The wildly popular satiric trio Culture Clash returns to the Goodman with their latest show, Culture Clash in AmeriCCa, a witty, moving, devastatingly funny collection of skits that tackle some of our society's toughest issues—from changing attitudes toward ethnicity after 9/11, gender roles and sexuality, illegal immigration and the question: what did Jesus really look like? Founded in 1984 by Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, Culture Clash has become the most prominent Chicano/ Latino performance troupe in the country, with work ranging from sketch comedy to the full length plays.
 
Taking Flight
August 15 – 17
In the Owen Theatre
 
Taking Flight is Adriana Sevan's hilarious and heartbreaking autobiographical solo piece about the restorative power of forgiveness and redemption in the face of tragedy. With mesmerizing ease, Sevan transforms into an astounding range of characters, from Esperanza Middleschmerts (a beguiling mix of Carmen Miranda and Dr. Phil) to a Jewish fashion maven from Long Island, a Haitian cab driver to a sexy 90-year old grandmother.

For all ages!
De La Oreja Al Corazon 
August 22-24
In the Albert Theatre
 
A beautifully designed, touching and imaginative Spanish language puppet piece from Mexico City, De La Oreja Al Corazon follows a young orphan's dream of becoming a musical conductor.
 
J'arrive 
Performed by Marta Carrasco
August 21 – 24
In the Owen Theatre

Barcelona's legendary dancer, choreographer and performance artist Marta Carrasco presents the most sensational pieces from the last 10
years of her remarkable career in J'arrive, an exhilarating expression obsession and seduction.
  
About Goodman Theatre
 
Named the country's Best Regional Theatre by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925. Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer's forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards—including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992)—and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad. Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman's Artistic Collective, including Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman. The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre. Board Chairman is Shawn M. Donnelley and Alice Young Sabl is president of the Women's Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Kraft Foods is the Principal Sponsor of the Goodman's free Student Subscription Series.