Cedric Young

Video: Scenes From MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at Goodman Theatre
by Joshua Wright - Apr 21, 2026

Goodman Theatre has released footage of scenes from MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, August Wilson's landmark drama now playing through May 3, 2026 at the Albert Theatre, extended by popular demand.

Review: MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM at Goodman Theatre
by Rachel Weinberg - Apr 7, 2026

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM is a well-acted, slow-burn character study. August Wilson’s 1982 play centers on a fictitious 1927 Chicago album recording, as the musicians gather and wait for the notorious Ma Rainey (or Madam Rainey, as she demands they call her) to record her latest album. Ma Rainey has some dramatic tendencies — she’s an hour late to her own recording session and then comes in with a whirl of demands and suggestions for the session. 

Photos & Video: MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM at The Goodman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2026

You can now get a first look at photos and videos of The Goodman’s Centennial Season revival of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom—helmed by Director Chuck Smith.

Photos: MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM Rehearsals at The Goodman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2026

August Wilson’s Ma Rainey‘s Black Bottom returns to The Goodman, helmed by Chicago legends Chuck Smith and Harry J. Lennix. See rehearsal photos here!

Cast Set for MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM at Goodman Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 9, 2026

Ma Rainey and her band return to The Goodman this spring in a major revival—and a reunion of two Chicago theater legends. Goodman Family Resident Director Chuck Smith directs August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom with Associate/Music Director Harry J. Lennix.

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE Extends Through Mid May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 4, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company will present two additional weeks of performances for its world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Video: Get a First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 1, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose. Check out footage!

Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of PURPOSE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 27, 2024

Check out photos from opening night of Purpose at Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Photos: First Look at Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE at Steppenwolf
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is continuing its 48th season with the world premiere of Purpose, an epic family drama by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Get a first look at photos.

Video: Watch a Trailer for Steppenwolf's PURPOSE, Directed by Phylicia Rashad
by Blair Ingenthron - Mar 10, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has released a trailer for their production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' PURPOSE. Watch video footage here!

Steppenwolf Theatre's PURPOSE World Premiere Extends Through Late April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2024

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ epic family drama Purpose has added one additional week of performances. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos/Video: First Look at TWO TRAINS RUNNING at the Court Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 24, 2022

Court Theatre continues its 2021/22 season with Two Trains Running by August Wilson, directed by Ron OJ Parson. Two Trains Running runs May 13 – June 12, 2022 at Court Theatre, 5535 S. Ellis Ave. The press opening was on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 7:30pm.

216 Quarterfinalists Announced For 2021 Music Educator Award Presented By The Recording Academy And GRAMMY Museum
by Kaitlin Milligan - Jun 9, 2020

A total of 216 music teachers from 199 cities have been announced as quarterfinalists for the Music Educator Award presented by the Recording Academy® and GRAMMY Museum®. In total, nearly 2,000 initial nominations were submitted. In addition to our quarterfinalists, 91 legacy applicants from 2020 will also be eligible to win the award this year.

VIDEO: Showtime Releases the Season Three Trailer for THE CHI
by Kaitlin Milligan - Jan 13, 2020

SHOWTIME has announced that the third season of its drama series THE CHI, which will feature series creator and Emmy® winner Lena Waithe (Queen & Slim, Boomerang) in a multi-episode arc as a Chicago mayoral candidate, will debut on Sunday, July 5 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The announcement was made today by Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc., at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour.

BWW Review: LINDIWE at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Rachel Weinberg - Nov 19, 2019

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of LINDIWE, a collaboration between ensemble member Eric Simonson and acclaimed South African music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, finds the most success in its musical moments. The production, co-directed by Simonson and Jonathan Berry, features new music from Ladysmith Black Mambazo to tell the love story of the titular Lindiwe and her boyfriend Adam. It helps that the narrative focuses on Lindiwe's experience as a singer touring with Ladysmith Black Mambazo-and, indeed, the group literally accompanies her at several moments throughout the production. Lindiwe explains that she never goes anywhere without her 'guys,' as she affectionately refers to them. Thus, Ladysmith Black Mambazo functions as a kind of Greek chorus underscoring the romantic storyline at the play's center. The conceit also allows for the play to utilize the group's original music.

Photo Flash: Take a Look at Steppenwolf's World Premiere Production of LINDIWE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2019

Steppenwolf's world premiere production of Lindiwe, written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, is now on stage. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Photo Flash: In Rehearsal For LINDIWE At Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2019

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY® winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo Is Back At Steppenwolf, This Time Singing The Blues
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 23, 2019

Rehearsals are underway for Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Directed by ensemble member Eric Simonson and Jonathan Berry, the life-affirming love story travels from Chicago's Kingston Mines to South Africa and beyond.

LINDIWE Featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo Now In Rehearsals
by Stephi Wild - Oct 9, 2019

The rehearsal room was electric as artists came together today for the first day of Lindiwe, Steppenwolf's highly anticipated world premiere production written by ensemble member Eric Simonson and featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Steppenwolf's LINDIWE feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo On Sale Now
by Julie Musbach - Sep 13, 2019

Tickets go on sale today for Steppenwolf Theatre Company's highly anticipated world premiere production of Lindiwe, featuring music written and performed by the five-time GRAMMY winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.