Goodman Theatre News

In support of their continued commitment to new play development through their Foundry Stage Series, First Stage, one of the nation's leading theaters for young people and families, is proud to announce their Playwrights-in-Residence: Alice Austen, James DeVita, John Maclay and Alvaro Saar Rios.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of its founding, Free Street Theater will stage "50 in 50: A City-Wide Theatrical Flash Mob," spanning Chicago's 50 wards to create a remarkable city-wide theatrical production.

La Jolla Playhouse announced today the appointment of National Disability Theatre (NDT) Co-Executive Directors Talleri A. McRae and Mickey Rowe as the Playhouse's 2019/2020 Artists-in-Residence.

Performances have begun for the world premiere of Lucas Hnath's "Dana H." at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in a co-production with Goodman Theatre. Adapted from interviews with Dana Higginbotham, conducted by Steve Cosson, directed by Les Waters and featuring Deirdre O'Connell in the title role, "Dana H." will open on June 2 and continue through June 23, 2019.

Artistic Director Robert Falls has named Kimberly Senior the newest member of Goodman Theatre's Artistic Collective-ten American theater artists whose work has cemented the theater's international reputation for excellence over three decades. The Collective, which Falls established when he became Artistic Director, currently includes award-winning playwrights, directors and actors: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman.

Celebrating 2019 as the Year of Chicago Theatre, Chicago will continue to produce some of the most exciting work in the country this summer. Offerings from the city's more than 250 producing theaters feature everything from the latest musicals to highly anticipated world premieres.   

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley announces a stellar cast of acclaimed Broadway and TV stars for The Language Archive, launching the Tony Award-winning theatre company's celebratory 50th Anniversary season. Written by Julia Cho, whose Aubergine captured rapturous praise and multiple awards, The Language Archive is balanced delightfully between affection and adversity. The quirky comedy tells the whimsical, life-affirming chronicle of a linguist fighting to preserve the dying languages of far-flung cultures, only to neglect the promise and passion of his own.

Celia Keenan-Bolger has won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.

The Neo-Futurist Theater is excited to announce Chicago native Jorge Silva as the company's new managing director, effective Monday, June 3. Silva is a writer, performer and producer, and most recently served as the producing coordinator for Goodman Theatre, where he was the producing liaison for community engagement projects and a curator for artistic programming. He is also the former president of the nation's oldest student-run Latinx Theatre company, Teatrotaller.

National Disability Theatre has received a $50,000 grant from the Ford Foundation. These funds will support the National Disability Theatre's mission of employing professional theatre artists who create fully accessible, world-class theatre and storytelling; change social policy and the nation's narrative about disability culture; and provide a guiding model in accessibility for the arts and cultural sector.

TRT closes their 20182019 season with 'Oo-Bla-Dee' by Regina Taylor from June 8 to June 30. The production is directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and features original music by Diedre L. Murray with original lyrics by Regina Taylor. Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Amber Iman who is playing Luna C in the show.

A Red Orchid Theatre announces the addition of eight new members to the Artistic Ensemble: Karen Aldridge, Myron Elliott-Cisneros, Levi Holloway, Travis A. Knight, Jess McLeod, Sadieh Rifai, Grant Sabin, and Steve Schine. A Red Orchid also welcomes two Resident Stage Managers Stephanie Heller and Christa van Baale.

The new comedy musical Supportive White Parents, a 2019 Fringe Scholarship recipient, will play five performances in the Festival at the Broadwater Black Box, it was announced today. With book and lyrics by Joy Regullano, music by The Sam & Tony Show, music direction by Tony Gonzalez, choreography by Ally Vega, and under the direction of Frank Caeti, the running schedule will be Sunday 6/9 at 5:30pm; Sunday 6/16 at 9:30pm; Wednesday 6/26 at 10pm; Friday 6/28 at 5pm; Sunday 6/30 at 11am. Running time will be 30 minutes.

More than 450 guests were starstruck at Goodman Theatre's May 18 Spring Gala, headlined by Broadway star and Tony Award nominee Megan Hilty. The black-tie event, held at the Fairmont Chicago, raised more than $800,000 to support the theater's Education and Community Engagement programs. The gala was co-chaired by Teri and Doug Brown and Carole Wood and Carl Jenkins. The Goodman's "Starstruck" Spring Gala was presented by The Women's Board.

Teatro Vista, Chicago's leading professional Latinx theater company for 30 years, announced today its 2019-20 season line-up.

Second Stage Theater has announced complete casting for the Broadway production of Tracy Letts's Linda Vista. Directed by Dexter Bullard, the production will feature Ian Barford (Wheeler), Sally Murphy (Margaret), Caroline Neff (Anita), Chantal Thuy (Minnie), Jim True-frost (Paul), Cora Vander Broek (Jules) and Troy West (Michael).

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Artistic Director Blake Robison announced today the appointment of Karen Zacarias and Nicole A. Watson as new Associate Artists for the theatre. They will join Wendy C. Goldberg on the Playhouse artistic team, working closely with Robison on season planning, new play development and community engagement.

A Miracle is coming to Chicago. Inspired by Chicago's beloved 2016 World Series Champions the Chicago Cubs, MIRACLE, makes its highly-anticipated World Premiere at the Royal George Theatre (1641 N Halsted St) with previews May 8 and a press opening on Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m.

Comedy hits a high note in the new musical How to Kill a Diva, a farcical romp that exposes the hilarious secrets of backstage at the theatre.  In the play, the maestro of a financially failing opera house battles a diabolical diva and a homicidal cast to mount a company saving production. As everything goes wrong, laughter reigns.

Sideshow Theatre Company and Rivendell Theatre Ensemble present the Midwest premiere of Selina Fillinger's breathtaking new drama SOMETHING CLEAN, directed by Lauren Shouse, playing June 16 - July 21, 2019 at Victory Gardens Richard Christiansen Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.