Goodman Theatre Reopens This Friday with SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY

In an unprecedented opportunity, audiences can experience Goodman Theatre productions in three ways in just one week-one in-person, when the theater reopens this Friday, one online and one in Chicago parks this summer.

This week, the Goodman returns to the stage with its Chicago-premiere production of the Off-Broadway smash sensation-School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

Next up, catch the next Future Labs virtual reading, Memories of Overdevelopment, by Caridad Svich and directed by Lavina Jadhwani (full cast list below). Finally, Sones de México Ensemble's electrifying new work Zulema kicks off a tour through 10 Chicago parks, culminating in a finale performance in Millennium Park.

Zulema features Music Director Victor Pichardo (the Goodman's Pedro Páramo and upcoming American Mariachi), written by Dolores Díaz and co-directed by Goodman Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez and Marcela Muñoz, Aguijon Theater Co-Artistic Director.

School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play appears July 30-August 29 (opening night is Monday, August 2) in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Capacity is limited and masks will be required. Tickets (starting at $15) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/SchoolGirls and by phone at 312.443.3800.

The FREE virtual reading of Memories of Overdevelopment streams July 31 at 7pm CDT. Registration is required; visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Memories for more information.

Zulema appears August 5 - 21 at various Chicago park locations with the Millennium Park finale on September 2 (see performance list below); admission is FREE, running time is one (1) hour, no intermission.

Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Zulema for additional information and to register for a performance.

Biting and buoyant, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play earned critical and popular acclaim in its Off-Broadway extended run. As the reigning queen bee at Ghana's most exclusive boarding school sets her sights on the Miss Universe pageant, a new student unexpectedly changes the game, forcing her to defend her reputation-and status. This spotlights the universal similarities-and glaring differences-of teenage girls around the globe.