Goodman Theatre News

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) today announced two world premieres as part of its 2012/13 Season: The Book Thief, based on the novel by Markus Zusak, adapted by Heidi Stillman, directed by Hallie Gordon; and Oral Histories, collected from across the city by DePaul University students, curated and written by Miles Harvey (director to be announced at a later date).

Due to popular demand, FREUD'S LAST SESSION at the Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport, Chicago), will now run through July 15th with a new Chicago cast, including local theater legend, Mike Nussbaum (Emmy, Drama Desk Award and four-time Jeff Award winner) as "Sigmund Freud" and Coburn Goss (Vigils at the Goodman Theatre, Dead Man's Cell Phone at Steppenwolf Theatre Companyand Off Broadway When the Messenger is Hot at 59E59) as "C.S. Lewis". See below for production photos of Nussbaum and Goss in action!

For the very first time, two-time Tony Award winner Chita Rivera brings her concert, CHITA RIVERA: MY BROADWAY, to The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in the intimate setting of The Chase Room and will perform songs from her legendary Broadway career. She will perform two shows only at 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM. All tickets are $50 (general admission) and can be ordered by calling 1-888-GO-NJPAC or at www.njpac.org. NJPAC is located at 1 Center Street in Newark, N.J.

Working Theater previously announced a reading of the poetry of US Poet Laureate Philip Levine. Readers include Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist Jeffrey Eugenides and performers André De Shields, Gene Gillette and Lisa Ramirez tonight, May 7th at 7pm at the SEIU 32BJ building at 25 West 18th Street, on the 5th floor. Reception with artists to follow.

Goodman Theatre and Teatro Vista team up for their second world-premiere production with Fish Men, Puerto Rican playwright Candido Tirado's new comedic drama about a group of urban chess hustlers drawn together by a shared need to overcome their individual demons. Edward Torres, Artistic Director of Teatro Vista, makes his Goodman directorial debut with this second play of a three-year producing partnership between the Goodman and Teatro Vista, Chicago's first and largest not-for-profit professional Latino theater company. Fish Men runs through tonight, May 6, 2012, in the Goodman's Owen Theatre.

Piece by Piece productions, Rising Phoenix Repertory, and Rattlestick Playwrights Theater have announced that the world premiere of 3C, written by David Adjmi and directed by Jackson Gay, will begin performances Wednesday, June 6 at 7pm at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, 224 Waverly Place. The opening night is set for Thursday, June 21 at 7pm.

Meet the Sycamores - the delightfully eccentric family at the center of the action in the madcap comedy classic, You Can't Take It With You. They revel in day-to-day occurrences such as collecting snakes, making fireworks in the basement, and practicing ballet steps in the parlor. When their daughter Alice, decides to invite her conservative boyfriend's family to dinner, they promise to be on their best behavior. However...! Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and adapted into an Academy Award winning film, this beloved comedy has been a perennial favorite to theatre-goers for more than 70 years.

Two-Time Tony Award nominated and Emmy Award winning performer ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS brings his acclaimed theatrical concert BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND back to the New York stage for three shows only, Friday evenings, tonight May 4, May 11 and 18 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Downstairs at The West Bank Café (407 West 42 Street). Showtime is 11:00 PM. General admission tickets booked in advance are $25 plus $15 food/beverage minimum; $35 at the door (based on availability) plus $15 food/beverage minimum. Tickets are available at www.smarttix.comor by calling 212-868-4444.

The Boston Youth Moves' Producers' Circle's 2012 Swellegance Gala Benefit will present two-time Tony Award winner CHITA RIVERA performing songs from her legendary Broadway career in her own concert CHITA RIVERA: MY BROADWAY at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont Street, Boston tonight, May 4, 2012 (8pm).

Kutztown University officials will award an honorary doctorate degree to alumnus and Signature Theatre Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer ('84) at a spring 2012 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12 at 2:00pm.

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis will present a free production of OTHELLO from 5/25 to 6/17, 2012 at Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park nightly at 8pm with previews 5/23-24.

Two-Time Tony Award nominated and Emmy Award winning performer ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS brings his acclaimed theatrical concert BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND back to the New York stage for three shows only, Friday evenings May 4, 11 and 18 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Downstairs at The West Bank Café (407 West 42 Street). Showtime is 11:00 PM. General admission tickets booked in advance are $25 plus $15 food/beverage minimum; $35 at the door (based on availability) plus $15 food/beverage minimum. Tickets are available at www.smarttix.comor by calling 212-868-4444.

Opening night for Robert Falls' major revival of THE ICEMAN COMETH, O'Neill's towering portrait of hope and disillusionment, is tonight May 3 at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. The production is led by Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Nathan Lane as Theodore 'Hickey' Hickman, the quintessential purveyor and slayer of pipe dreams. The 18-member cast is one of the largest ensembles to take the Goodman stage in recent years. Tony Award-winner Brian Dennehy portrays one-time syndicalist-anarchist Larry Slade, joined by mix of local and out-of-town actors as the motley assortment of former soldiers of fortune, entrepreneurs, political dissidents and social outcasts in Harry Hope's saloon. See photos of Lane, Brian Dennehy and more in THE ICEMAN COMETH below!

Icicle Creek Center for the Arts today announced two new plays that will be presented in August 2012 as part of its renowned program, the Icicle Creek Theatre Festival (ICTF).

The New Group presents the world premiere of An Early History of Fire, a new play by Tony Award-winning playwright David Rabe. Directed by Jo Bonney, this production features Gordon Clapp, Erin Darke, Jonny Orsini, Devin Ratray, Dennis Staroselsky, Theo Stockman and Claire van der Boom. Limited Off-Broadway engagement is slated April 5 - May 26 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (410 West 42nd Street). The official Opening Night was Monday, April 30 at 7:00 PM. Check out the after-party photos below featuing Meryle Streep and all the cast.

Opening night for Robert Falls' major revival of THE ICEMAN COMETH, O'Neill's towering portrait of hope and disillusionment, is coming up May 3 at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. The production, currently in previews, is led by Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Nathan Lane as Theodore 'Hickey' Hickman, the quintessential purveyor and slayer of pipe dreams. The 18-member cast is one of the largest ensembles to take the Goodman stage in recent years. See photos of Lane, Brian Dennehy and more in THE ICEMAN COMETH below!

Kansas City Repertory Theatre, under the artistic leadership of Eric Rosen, closes its 2011-12 season with a professional production of the popular musical Little Shop of Horrors; book and lyrics by Howard Ashman, music by Alan Menken, based on the film by Roger Corman, screenplay by Charles Griffith. Kyle Hatley directs. Little Shop of Horrors runs now through May 20 at the Rep's Copaken Stage. See photos from the production below!

'I'm feeling so very excited and overwhelmed! It's a lot to take in. I'm so honored but I really wasn't expecting it! I'm so thrilled and so grateful. I got a call from my agent this morning, so that's how I found out. I wasn't watching the broadcast on TV. I think my boyfriend and I will definitely be going out tonight to celebrate. In the meantime, there are lots and lots of phone calls to make and people to talk to!'