Chuck Smith News

As the TimeLine Theatre Company production of Relentless by Tyla Abercrumbie, directed by Ron OJ Parson opens tonight at the Goodman, strong demand for tickets have spurred a six-performance extension.

Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that the 2021 ICON Award-recipient and Broadway legend Chita Rivera of New York City, New York has joined Porchlight’s Advisory Board.

In its 23rd season, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will explore the struggles and triumphs of people who sought to realize their own version of the American Dream. Whether their dreams came true or were deferred, their stories make for compelling, can't-miss shows on the WBTT stage.

Chicago loves Oscar Levant! Six performances have been added of the world premiere of Good Night, Oscar by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright (War Paint, I Am My Own Wife), directed by Lisa Peterson.

Two adjustments to the season schedule at Goodman Theatre shifts the 2021/2022 “Homecoming” Season line-up in the months ahead. The world-premiere production of Swing State by Rebecca Gilman directed by Robert Falls, previously announced for this spring, has been repositioned as this fall’s Owen Theatre opener.

The classic, timeless, epic work of seminal American playwright August Wilson endures as a new partnership—the “August Wilson Legacy Project”— has formed between the August Wilson Estate, Goodman Theatre and Derrick Sanders.

ABC7 recently profiled Goodman Theatre's Gem Of The Ocean. 'It's teaming with good Black history because it tells the story of coming over from Africa, living in slavery,' Smith said. 'You're talking about individuals who experienced slavery.' Check out the video.

With two major revivals on stage helmed by Artistic Collective members—August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean directed by Resident Director Chuck Smith (through February 27) and Manilow Resident Director Mary Zimmerman's The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci (February 11 – March 20)—the Goodman announces several artistic updates as its 2021/2022 “Homecoming” Season continues.

In celebration of Black History Month, Goodman Theatre presents its first-ever on-site art expo—Hidden Gems: A Celebration of African American Artists & Art—in conjunction with the major revival of Gem of the Ocean by August Wilson, directed by Chuck Smith.

Goodman Theatre kicks off the new year with a major revival of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean—nearly two decades after the play premiered on the same stage.

Tony Award-winner Robert Falls marks 35 years as Goodman Artistic Director—a position from which he will step down at season’s end—by directing the world premiere of Rebecca Gilman’s Swing State, his sixth play by his longtime collaborator, in the Owen Theatre.

Resident Director Chuck Smith, who served as the original production's dramaturg, directs a cast of seven—featuring Sharif Atkins (Citizen Barlow), Sydney Charles (Black Mary), Lisa Gaye Dixon (Aunt Ester), Gary Houston (Rutherford Selig), Kelvin Roston, Jr. (Caesar), A.C. Smith (Eli) and James A. Williams (Solly Two Kings).

The Goodman announces its six-project line-up of the 17th annual New Stages Festival, running December 1-19.

After more than three decades leading creative operations for one of America’s largest theaters, Tony Award-winner Robert Falls is ending his tenure as Artistic Director of Goodman Theatre. Today, Falls announced his intention to step down next summer at the completion of the current 2021/2022 Season.

Local Black-owned theatre company Kennie Playhouse Theatre is collaborating with Nashville Shakes to produce August Wilson's Jitney, which runs August 12-22 at oneC1TY in Nashville, and September 16 and 17 at Williamson County Performing Arts Center at Academy Park in Franklin, TN. 

Five-time Grammy Award-winning bassist Victor Wooten has joined the creative team of August Wilson's JITNEY, opening Nashville Shakespeare's annual Summer Shakespeare Festival. Wooten, also a songwriter and record producer who was ranked among the Top 10 Bassists of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine, will compose original music for the show.

It’s a summer “homecoming” for Goodman Theatre audiences! On July 30, Chicago’s theater since 1925 will resume live, in-person performances following a 16-month COVID-19 pandemic period of darkened stages.

In an effort to share knowledge, resources and strengthen the infrastructure of the Black theatre landscape in the United States, the country's independent Black theatre building owners, including Black Ensemble Theater, have forged a new alliance.

In an effort to share knowledge and resources, and strengthen the infrastructure of the Black theatre landscape in the United States, seven of the country’s freestanding, independent Black theatres – including Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe – have forged a new alliance.

The Old Opera House Theatre Company will present the winning entries in the 2021 New Voice Play Festival.