Jenna Fischer-Led ASHLAND AVENUE Opens Goodman's Centennial Season Next Month

When Goodman Theatre opened its doors in fall of 1925, its first audiences were treated to ground-breaking new plays; now, one hundred years later, Chicago audiences are first to experience two world-premiere productions that launch the theater’s milestone Centennial 2025/2026 Season.

The season opener, Ashland Avenue, is a new play by Lee Kirk, directed by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and featuring Jenna Fischer (The Office’s Pam Beesly), Francis Guinan (The Cherry Orchard), Will Allan (The Cherry Orchard), Cordelia Dewdney (Drury Lane’s Steel Magnolias) and Chiké Johnson (Toni Stone) in the 856-seat Albert Theatre. Next, the world-premiere punk/metal/hip-hop musical Revolution(s) by Zayd Ayers Dohrn (Horton Foote New American Play Prize winner) with music by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and The Nightwatchman), rocks the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III (Broadway’s Thoughts of a Colored Man). Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition returns for its 48th year: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, directed for the first time by BOLD Artistic Producer Malkia Stampley, starring Christopher Donahue as Ebenezer Scrooge for his second season. Auditions for young performer roles—including Tiny Tim—take place September 20. The full cast of Ashland Avenue appears below; casting for Revolution(s) and A Christmas Carol will be announced soon. 

Tickets are now on sale for all three productions: Ashland Avenue (September 6 – October 5, $33-$148); Revolution(s) (October 4 – November 9, $33-$103); and A Christmas Carol (November 15 – December 31, $33-$172). Visit the Box Office (170 N. Dearborn).

ABOUT ASHLAND AVENUE

Directed by Susan V. Booth
Book by Lee Kirk 
September 6 – October 5 | Albert Theatre 
$33-$148 

Pete’s TV and Video has served Chicagoland for 40+ years, its plucky owner famous for his legendary commercials and customer care. But it’s a new era, and Pete’s last store location is struggling while Sam—his daughter and family business heir apparent—has different dreams. Starring Chicago’s Francis Guinan (The Cherry Orchard) and Emmy Award-nominee Jenna Fischer (The Office), this hilarious and moving new play asks what happens when we step outside of our parents' footsteps to follow our heart?

The cast includes Will Allan (Charlie), Cordelia Dewdney (Jess),Jenna Fischer (Sam), Francis Guinan (Pete), and Chiké Johnson (Mike.)

ABOUT REVOLUTION(S)

Book by Zayd Ayers Dohrn
Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III
Music and Lyrics by Tom Morello
October 4 – November 9 | Owen Theatre
$33-$103

When soldier and aspiring musician Hampton Weems comes home from Afghanistan, he finds the South Side of Chicago is also occupied territory—and he’s accidentally joined the resistance. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello brings a ground-breaking new musical to our intimate Owen Theatre about a young artist finding his voice, why violence is as American as cherry pie, and how young radicals—across generations—are still motivated by love.

ABOUT A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Book by Charles Dickens 
Directed by Malkia Stampley 
Adapted by Tom Creamer 
November 15 – December 31 | Albert Theatre 
$33-$172 

Rediscover a Dickens classic with an adaptation that “makes you believe kindness can win” (Chicago Tribune). Follow Ebenezer Scrooge, a businessman whose disdain for the holidays is transformed on Christmas Eve. Malkia Stampley directs for the first time, with Christopher Donahue returning as Scrooge after a “historical standout” performance in his 2024 debut (WGNRadio.com). Featuring a “first-rate cast and marvelous staging” (Chicago Sun-Times), this tale remains “the best Christmas story ever told” (Time Out Chicago).