Faye Butler, Felicia Fields to Star in Goodman Theatre's CROWNS

Goodman Theatre Artistic Associate ReGina Taylor announced casting for her 10th Anniversary production of Crowns this week at the theater's 5th annual breakfast celebrating diversity. Taylor re-imagines Crowns, one of the most-produced musical productions in the country, at the Goodman June 30 &#8211 August 5, 2012 with a company featuring some of Chicago's foremost "leading ladies"&#8212E. Faye Butler as Mabel, Felicia Fields as Mother Shaw and newcomer JaSondra Johnson as Velma. JP Morgan Chase & Co, Corporate Sponsor Partner for ,em>Crowns, hosted the annual breakfast where corporate, foundation, government and community leaders gathered to celebrate the Goodman's ongoing commitment to quality, diversity and community. Group tickets and season subscriptions (including Crowns) are on sale now; individual tickets ($25 &#8211 $88) go on sale March 16, 2012. Call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org; to book a group, contact Kim Furganson at 312.443.3820 or KimFurganson@GoodmanTheatre.org. Target is the Major Corporate Sponsor and PwC is the other Corporate Sponsor Partner for Crowns. American Airlines is the official airline of Goodman Theatre. Actors, dates and ticket prices all subject to change.

"Crowns is a celebration of the individuality of the human spirit&#8212and what we pass down from generation to generation," said Playwright and Director ReGina Taylor. "I am honored that the Goodman chose to revisit Crowns on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. This show give us the opportunity to bring various Chicago communities together and track our traditions&#8212hat wearing, music, dance, spoken word, gospel and much more. I am eager to re-imagine this piece with new music and movement."

When Brooklyn-born Yolanda relocates to the South after the death of her brother, she finds strength in the tales of the wise women who surround her&#8212and the powerful rituals connected to their dazzling hats. Fusing the music of the South with rich storytelling and abundant "hattitude," Crowns is a jubilant celebration of song, dance, cultural history&#8212and glamorous headwear that the New York Times calls a "heart-stopping processional [that] pulses with rhythm." More than one million people have experienced Taylor's gospel-infused musical sensation in more than 40 major markets in North America. Crowns earned enormous popular acclaim and critics hailed it as "delightfully celebratory" (The New York Times) and "church-chic" (Miami Herald). Among its numerous distinctions, Crowns earned five 2003 Audelco Awards and four 2004 Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Musical Production and Director.

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