Alden Vasquez News

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

With new stage magic and Chicago favorites, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol takes the stage in its 39th year. Returning for his fourth year, Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens' tale of hope and redemption.

Henry Wishcamper's contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's THE MATCHMAKER -- the inspiration for the musical Hello, Dolly! -- revealing social truths through mistaken identity, outrageous misbehavior and spontaneous romance, appears in Goodman Theatre's 856-seat Albert Theatre, now through April 10, 2016. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Casting is complete for Henry Wishcamper's contemporary take on Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker-the inspiration for the musical Hello, Dolly!, revealing social truths through mistaken identity, outrageous misbehavior and spontaneous romance.

Siblings Vanya (Ross Lehman) and Sonia (Janet Ulrich Brooks) have spent their adult years trapped in mundane lives at their family's cottage, caring for their ailing parents. Meanwhile, their self-involved sister Masha (Mary Beth Fisher), a glamorous movie star, has traveled the world in decadent style. After their soothsayer/cleaning woman Cassandra (E. Faye Butler) warns Vanya and Sonia of impending doom, Masha arrives unannounced, accompanied by her hunky young lover Spike (Jordan Brown), who sparks a friendship with the beautiful girl next door Nina (Rebecca Buller) much to Masha's dismay. When Masha reveals plans that will upend the family, long-repressed resentments bubble over in a weekend full of wild costume parties, voodoo dolls and surprise romance. The creative team includes Charlie Corcoran (sets), Amy Clark (costumes), Robert Perry (lights) andRichard Woodbury (sound). Alden Vasquez is the production stage manager and Neena Arndt is the dramaturg. 

Siblings Vanya (Ross Lehman) and Sonia (Janet Ulrich Brooks) have spent their adult years trapped in mundane lives at their family's cottage, caring for their ailing parents. Meanwhile, their self-involved sister Masha (Mary Beth Fisher), a glamorous movie star, has traveled the world in decadent style. After their soothsayer/cleaning woman Cassandra (E. Faye Butler) warns Vanya and Sonia of impending doom, Masha arrives unannounced, accompanied by her hunky young lover Spike (Jordan Brown), who sparks a friendship with the beautiful girl next door Nina (Rebecca Buller) much to Masha's dismay. When Masha reveals plans that will upend the family, long-repressed resentments bubble over in a weekend full of wild costume parties, voodoo dolls and surprise romance. The creative team includes Charlie Corcoran (sets), Amy Clark (costumes), Robert Perry (lights) and Richard Woodbury (sound). Alden Vasquez is the production stage manager and Neena Arndt is the dramaturg. 

Goodman Theatre, in collaboration with Chicago's various off-Loop theaters and Northwestern University, unveils partial programming in its spring 2015 citywide "August Wilson Celebration" -- an extensive retrospective of the late playwright's life, artistry and influence on American culture. The seven-week Celebration takes place in March and April 2015 on dual landmark occasions: the 70th anniversary of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright's birth and the 10th anniversary of his death.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Goodman Theatre's annual holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, now in its 37th year and directed by Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper for the second time.

'In love as in politics, one partner must rule. One of them must be the hammer, the other the anvil.' Venus in Fur, Chicago native playwright David Ives' 'smart, sexy, sinister comedy' (Vogue), makes its premiere tonight, March 8, at Goodman Theatre, helmed by Joanie Schultz.

'In love as in politics, one partner must rule. One of them must be the hammer, the other the anvil.' Venus in Fur, Chicago native playwright David Ives' 'smart, sexy, sinister comedy' (Vogue), is now in rehearsals for its March 8 premiere at Goodman Theatre, helmed by Joanie Schultz.

Goodman Theatre heats up 2014 with Venus in Fur-a "smart, sexy, sinister comedy" (Vogue) and "suspense-packed study of the erotics (and the semiotics) of power" (New York Times)-penned by theatrical mastermind David Ives. In her Goodman mainstage debut, Joanie Schultz directs the Chicago premiere production of the Broadway triumph that earned two Tony nominations, two Drama League nominations and a Drama Desk nomination. Rufus Collins (Broadway's The Royal Family and To Be or Not To Be) portrays playwright/director Thomas Novachek and Amanda Drinkall (Great Expectations at Strawdog Theatre Company, Measure for Measure at the Goodman;) portrays Vanda Jordan-the preternaturally talented actress whose audition for the gifted-but-demanding playwright/director's new work becomes an electrifying game of cat and mouse that blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, seduction and power, love and sex. The design team includes Todd Rosenthal (set), Mikhail Fiksel (sound), Jenny Mannis (costumes) and Keith Parham (lights). Alden Vasquez is the production stage manager and Kathleen Petroziello is the stage manager. Headshots and bio information can be found in the Press Room. Venus in Fur runs March 8 - April 13 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, March 18). Tickets ($25-$86; subject to change) go on sale January 24, 2014 and can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org/Venus, by phone at312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is the Major Corporate Sponsor for Venus in Fur.

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol begins its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs now through December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs tonight, November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

Consistently included among the Midwest's top-tier holiday events, Goodman Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol returns for its 31st season. Guided by sixteen years of experience with the production, Chicago actor/director William Brown returns to direct Tom Creamer's adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella for his third consecutive year.