Robert Falls News

Who best determines an infant's fate among differing values concerning drugs, religion and child rearing? Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman asks this question and more in her latest play, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls in their fourth collaboration. Gilman's seven Goodman productions-six of which were world premieres, including five commissions-make her one of the most-produced contemporary playwrights in the theater's history. Luna Gale runs now through February 23 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, January 27). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The question of who determines a child's fate amidst drug addiction, religion and child custody laws takes center stage in Rebecca Gilman's newest work, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls.

Goodman Theatre introduces a new subscription package for 2014, 'Great Women at Play,' featuring works written and directed by a handful of the most popular female playwrights working in the American theater today. This special package for women-and men-includes five plays for the price of four, a complimentary visit to the exclusive Goodman Lounge and the opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate from the Goodman's preferred restaurant partner, Petterino's. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/GreatWomen for more information, and check out a video of the artists involved below!

The New Group continues its 2013-2014 season with the world premiere of Intimacy, a new play by Thomas Bradshaw. Directed by Scott Elliott, Intimacy features David Anzuelo, Austin Cauldwell, Ella Dershowitz, Laura Esterman, Daniel Gerroll, Dea Julien and Keith Randolph Smith. A limited Off-Broadway engagement plays January 14 - March 8 at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre / 410 West 42nd Street), with Official Opening Night set for Wednesday, January 29 at 7:00pm.

Who best determines an infant's fate among differing values concerning drugs, religion and child rearing? Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman asks this question and more in her latest play, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls in their fourth collaboration. Gilman's seven Goodman productions-six of which were world premieres, including five commissions-make her one of the most-produced contemporary playwrights in the theater's history. Luna Gale runs January 18 - February 23 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, January 27). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Goodman Theatre heats up 2014 with Venus in Fur-a "smart, sexy, sinister comedy" (Vogue) and "suspense-packed study of the erotics (and the semiotics) of power" (New York Times)-penned by theatrical mastermind David Ives. In her Goodman mainstage debut, Joanie Schultz directs the Chicago premiere production of the Broadway triumph that earned two Tony nominations, two Drama League nominations and a Drama Desk nomination. Rufus Collins (Broadway's The Royal Family and To Be or Not To Be) portrays playwright/director Thomas Novachek and Amanda Drinkall (Great Expectations at Strawdog Theatre Company, Measure for Measure at the Goodman;) portrays Vanda Jordan-the preternaturally talented actress whose audition for the gifted-but-demanding playwright/director's new work becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. The design team includes Todd Rosenthal (set), Mikhail Fiksel (sound), Jenny Mannis (costumes) and Keith Parham (lights). Alden Vasquez is the production stage manager and Kathleen Petroziello is the stage manager. Headshots and bio information can be found in the Press Room. Venus in Fur runs March 8 - April 13 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, March 18). Tickets ($25-$86; subject to change) go on sale January 24, 2014 and can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org/Venus, by phone at312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is the Major Corporate Sponsor for Venus in Fur.

It isn't every day you can tell a Chicago Bear to 'break a leg!' Goodman Theatre's 7th annual 'Make-A-Wish Night' features the superstar former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and 17-year-old beneficiary Kenneth Schumacher, who wishes to be a part of a professional theatrical production. Urlacher and Schumacher don costumes tailored especially for them and appear in select scenes of the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol, Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. Tickets for the one-night-only appearance on December 27 at 8pm are available online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor and Aon and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners of A Christmas Carol.

Who best determines an infant's fate among differing values concerning drugs, religion and child rearing? Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman asks this question and more in her latest play, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls in their fourth collaboration. Gilman's seven Goodman productions-six of which were world premieres, including five commissions-make her one of the most-produced contemporary playwrights in the theater's history. Appearing in her 16th Goodman production, Chicago stage favorite Mary Beth Fisher-who also originated roles in Gilman's Spinning Into Butter and Boy Gets Girl-stars as veteran social worker Caroline, who is charged with making tough decisions about the future of Luna Gale, a vulnerable child. The recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, Luna Gale is part of the Goodman's "Great Women at Play" subscription package, featuring works written and/or directed by Rachel Rockwell (Brigadoon), Joanie Schultz (Venus in Fur), Jessica Thebus, Tracey Scott Wilson (Buzzer) and Mary Zimmerman (The White Snake). Luna Gale runs January 18 - February 23 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, January 27). Tickets ($25 - $81; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Luna, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). The Goodman Women's Board is a Major Production Sponsor and Mayer Brown is a Corporate Sponsor Partner. Ogletree Deakins and U.S. Bank are the Opening Night Sponsors. Audience enrichment events and a full performance calendar follow.

BAM and Scott Rudin will present Goodman Theatre's renowned revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh from February 5 through March 15, 2015. Directed by Goodman Artistic Director Robert Falls and featuring Tony Award-winning stage and screen actors Nathan Lane (as Theodore "Hickey" Hickman) and Brian Dennehy (as Larry Slade), the production, including its original Chicago cast, is slated for a six-week run in the BAM Harvey Theater. Ticket on-sale dates will be announced in the fall of 2014.

Tickets go on sale Monday, December 16 for the New York premiere of Annapurna by Sharr White (The Snow Geese, The Other Place) directed by Bart DeLorenzo (Artistic Director, Evidence Room; Ivanov, Margo Veil, The Receptionist - Odyssey Theatre) and starring Megan Mullally ("Will & Grace") and Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation"). A limited engagement is slated Off-Broadway at The New Group, from April 13 - June 1. Official Opening Night takes place Monday, April 21 at 7:00pm, at The New Group @ Theatre Row (The Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street).

It isn't every day you can tell a Chicago Bear to "break a leg!" Goodman Theatre's 7th annual "Make-A-Wish Night" features the superstar former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and 17-year-old beneficiary Kenneth Schumacher, who wishes to be a part of a professional theatrical production. Urlacher and Schumacher don costumes tailored especially for them and appear in select scenes of the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol, Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. Tickets for the one-night-only appearance on December 27 at 8pm are available online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor and Aon and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners of A Christmas Carol.

A new crop of local talent joins Goodman Theatre's artistic team for the 2013/2014 Season. The four Chicago-based writers named to the fourth season of the Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency program designed to support and develop new works-include Andrew Hinderaker, Gift Theatre ensemble member; Mickle Maher, cofounder of Theater Oobleck; Anne Garcia-Romero, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists; and Laura Schellhardt, who oversees undergraduate playwriting at Northwestern University. A partnership with Chicago Dramatists, the Playwrights Unit meets twice per month with members of the Goodman's artistic team to discuss their plays-in-progress and provide feedback for one another. The program includes readings of the playwrights' works-in-progress at Chicago Dramatists in early 2014, and culminates in summer 2014 with staged readings of their completed works at the Goodman. Playwrights Unit alumni include Greg Allen, Alice Austen, Ike Holter and Christopher Oscar Peña (2012/2013 Season); Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, Elaine Romero and Martin Zimmerman (2011/2012 Season); and Seth Bockley, Lisa Dillman, Laura Jacqmin and Rohina Malik (2010/2011 Season).

The New Group production of Beth Henley's THE JACKSONIAN - directed by Robert Falls and featuring Ed Harris,Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett - will offer a special performance to benefit The Actors Fund Dec. 15 at 8 PM.

Now in its 10th year, Goodman Theatre's 2013 New Stages festival features five FREE new plays-two fully staged workshop productions performed in repertory plus three staged readings-in the Owen Theatre, today, December 7 - 22.

David Anzuelo, Austin Cauldwell, Ella Dershowitz, Laura Esterman, Daniel Gerroll, Dea Julien and Keith Randolph Smith

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs tonight, November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

Beth Henley's Southern Gothic comedy/drama pulls you in with its attention-grabbing characters and atmosphere but then leaves you wondering if it's ever going to take you anywhere.

The Old Globe presents The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, running tonight, Nov. 9 - Nov. 17 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is tonight, Nov. 9 at 8:00 p.m.

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of the Geffen Playhouse production of The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Opening was Thursday night, November 7, and BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was there to chat with the whole gang at the after party. Check out what they had to say below!

The New Group launches its 2013-2014 season with the New York premiere of the Geffen Playhouse production of The Jacksonian, by Pulitzer Prize winner Beth Henley. Directed by Tony Award winner Robert Falls, this production features Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett. Opening was last night, November 7, and you can check out photos from the after party below!