Dennehy Suffers On Stage Fall, But 'ELMS' Star Keeps Show Going

Brian Dennehy, currently starring as Ephraim Cabot in "Desire Under the Elms" at the Goodman Theatre, suffered a freak fall Tuesday night on stage during the performance. The show was stopped for a brief period while the actor was attended to and checked by house staff.

The performance, with Dennehy, continued shortly thereafter after he waved off medical to allow the show to go on.

In an official statement the Goodman announced, "at the Tuesday, February 17, 7:30 p.m. performance, Brian Dennehy fell from the raised platform of the set to the main level of the set in the scene during which Ephraim thanks God for his newborn baby. According to Mr. Dennehy, "It was a stupid mistake on my part. I was trying to play beyond my own means, and my knees don't allow the lateral movement I used to have. I lost my balance, and took a spill." Mr. Dennehy, who fell while holding the swaddled infant (a prop), immediately collected himself and joked with the stunned audience "The baby is not injured!" He insisted the show go on, and he finished the performance to a standing ovation."

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 Amy J. Carle, Pablo Schreiber (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Awake and Sing!), Boris McGiver (The Wire) and Daniel Stewart Sherman (Broadway's Cyrano de Bergerac).

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.