Alan Anderson News

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.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

National Alliance for Musical Theatre has announced initial programming and panelists for the Spring Conference titled “Backstage to Box Office: Building Better Branding” which takes place on Wednesday, April 9 – Friday, April 11, at Red Mountain Theatre and other locations around Birmingham, Alabama.

In February, Canadian Stage will present the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, James Ijames’ FAT HAM. Learn more about the upcoming performance and find out how to get tickets here!

MY FAIR LADY is quite obviously the most perfect choice of a musical that the SHAW FESTIVAL could program and this 2024 musical offering is a  delicious delight, sure to please. It plays through December 22, 2024 and is the perfect excuse to visit Niagara on the Lake for the holiday season.

A new adaptation of THE SECRET GARDEN is set to begin performances at the Shaw Festival. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.

Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, will return to the Shaw Festival stage. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Canadian Stage has unveiled its 24.25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

The cast and creative teams have been revealed for the Shaw Festival’s 62nd season.

Get all the details on the highly anticipated productions of 'The Amen Corner' and 'The Clearing' at the Shaw Festival. Find out when and where these plays will be performed, and make sure you don't miss out on these must-see shows.

Artistic Director Tim Carroll has unveiled the Shaw Festival's 2023 casting and creative teams for the Festival Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage, as well as the newly added Spiegeltent.

Christmas traditions may come and go, but watching the film WHITE CHRISTMAS has always been an obligatory part of the holiday season for me. And for the past 20 years or so, audiences can experience Irving Berlin's classic  live on stage. The Shaw Festival is presenting their joyous version this year on the Festival stage and the result is pure technicolor heaven.

Two timeless holiday tales, guaranteed to make spirits bright in young and old alike, begin previews at The Shaw. The Festival's holiday spirits, um spirit, will take over the Royal George Theatre on November 9 with the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. Irving Berlin's White Christmas, his adored musical homage to romance and snow, follows merrily along on November 18 at the Festival Theatre.

The Shaw's 2022 season comes to a merry close with Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol and Irving Berlin's White Christmas – two classic holiday tales guaranteed to thaw the frostiest of hearts and make spirits bright in young and old alike.

Bernard Shaw's brilliant dark comedy The Doctor's Dilemma, the first of the final trio of main season shows, begins previews July 16 at the Festival Theatre. On July 27, Cicely Hamilton's funny and prophetic Just to Get Married begins previews at the Royal George Theatre, while August Wilson's haunting Gem of the Ocean begins previews on August 5 at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre. 

Artistic Director Tim Carroll has announced casting and creative teams for the Shaw Festival’s 60th anniversary season.

Artistic Director Tim Carroll and the Shaw Festival have announced Outdoors @ The Shaw, a series of concerts and events scheduled to take place from July 10 to October 9, 2021 on the grounds of the Festival Theatre and Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.