Goodman Theatre News

Rehearsals have begun for The 5th Avenue Theatre's new production of the beloved musical Annie, which plays this holiday season from November 23 - December 30, 2018. The 5th is excited to introduce Visesia Fakatoufifita of Tacoma, WA, and Faith Young of Kent, WA, who make their 5th Avenue Theatre debuts alternating the title role.

Griffin Theatre Company Artistic Director William Massolia today announced the addition of nine new ensemble members: Isa Arciniegas, Larry Baldacci, Peter Byrne, Jermaine Hill, Nicole Laurenzi, Ryan McBride, Rochelle Therrien, Jason VonRohn and Scott Weinstein. Additionally, Griffin is pleased to add six new artistic associates: Will Kiley, Dorothy Milne, Mechelle Moe, Alexander Ridgers, Rachel Sypniewski and Brandon Wardell.

The Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Program presents its December thesis show, tick, tick…BOOM!, directed and choreographed by Ken-Matt Martin, a third year student in the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Directing program. Written by Jonathan Larson, the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning composer of Rent, this rock musical set in 1990 New York City tells the story of an aspiring theater composer, as he is forced to reevaluate his passions and decide whether he should keep pursuing his dream or give it all up for a stable career. Performances run November 29 through December 9 at the Pell Chafee Performance Center, 87 Empire St., Downtown Providence. General admission is $15 with a discounted price of $10 for seniors and $7 for students. Tickets are on sale now at Trinity Rep's box office, by phone (401) 351-4242, or online at www.TrinityRep.com.

This December, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is proud to present the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez. Featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast, La Ruta is inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route. La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

The UC San Diego Department of Theatre and Dance presents A Great Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes by Kate Benson, directed by Vanessa Stalling.

The Jeff Awards celebrated their 50th anniversary on Monday, October 22,2018 during a spirited and nostalgic ceremony at Drury Lane Oakbrook.

Token Theatre, under the leadership of Artistic Director David Rhee and Managing Director Erik Kaiko with Founding Board Members Stephenie Park and Helen Young, is proud to announce the arrival of Token Theatre and its Inaugural Season: Our Town by Thornton Wilder and a New Play by Artistic Director David Rhee.

Town Hall Theatre "Lost & Found" Season 2018/19 continues with our holiday offering: the West Coast Premiere of GREAT EXPECTATIONS, an adventure-packed adaptation of the classic Dickens' coming-of-age story by Gale Childs Daly. GREAT EXPECTATIONS will have 12 performances, including two previews, November 29 through December 16, 2018, at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette, CA. Tickets are $18 - $30, and are available through the Box Office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.

Random Acts, About Face Youth Theatre and Pride Films & Plays have announced a special 20th Anniversary Reading of THE LARAMIE PROJECT by Moises Kaufman, directed by Jason Gerace. The event, set to feature some of Chicago's best talent, will take place on Sunday, November 4 at 7:30pm at Pride Films and Plays' Broadway space. Tickets are tiered from $5-20 and can be purchased at www.RandomActsChicago.com. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

San Diego Repertory Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for the third production in their 43rd season, Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House, Part 2. Directing this production is San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse. Hnath's A Doll's House, Part 2 debuted on Broadway in 2017 where it received eight Tony Award nominations. Performances run November 21 - December 16, 2018, at the Lyceum Stage Theatre. Tickets start at $25 and are currently on sale to the general public. Previews run November 21 - 27, 2018. Press opening is Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Goodspeed Musicals announces the full cast of their new production of A Connecticut Christmas Carol - the musical treat infused with more Connecticut flavor by LJ Fecho and Michael O'Flaherty.

For the first time in six years, Goodman Theatre's Costume Shop hosts a costume sale today, October 20 from 9am - 2pm. More than 100 handmade items by the Goodman's costume shop artisans will be available for sale, priced starting at just $1. From couture gowns to fashionable headwear, attendees can pick selections from acclaimed Goodman productions including-hats and headwear from Artistic Associate Regina Taylor's gospel musical sensation Crowns (2004, 2012); uniforms from Artistic Director Robert Falls' celebrated production of King Lear (2006); the majorette costume from Sweet Bird of Youth (2012) with Academy Award-winning actress Diane Lane and Finn Wittrock; and more. The costume sale takes place today, October 20 from 9am - 2pm at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn). Admission is free and costume pieces range from $1 - $300+; both cash and credit is accepted. All sales are final and proceeds support the Goodman. Costume previews will not be available prior to the sale. 

Goodman Theatre adds to its 2018/2019 Season a limited engagement of St. Nicholas-an internationally-acclaimed major revival by London's Donmar Warehouse of Conor McPherson's 1997 intimate thriller, directed by Simon Evans. The monologue play stars Olivier Award-winning actor Brendan Coyle ("Mr. Bates" of the smash sensation Downton Abbey, for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination) in "a superlative, mesmerizing performance that's simply not to be missed" (The Arts Review). The U.S. premiere, which appears in the Goodman's 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre, follows two acclaimed recent appearances at the Donmar Warehouse and the Dublin Theatre Festival. The creative team includes Peter McKintosh (Set), Matt Daw (Lighting) and Christopher Shutt (Sound). Goodman Theatre's limited engagement of St. Nicholas appears January 9 - 27, 2019 in the Owen Theatre (170 N. Dearborn). Tickets are available now ONLY with the purchase of a new Classic Membership (4-play packages start at $80). Individual tickets ($25 - $60; subject to change) go on sale Friday, November 9. For tickets and more information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/StNicholas or call the box office (312.443.3800, 12 noon - 5pm daily).

San Diego Repertory Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for the third production in their 43rd season, Lucas Hnath's A Doll's House, Part 2. Directing this production is San Diego REP Artistic Director Sam Woodhouse. Hnath's A Doll's House, Part 2 debuted on Broadway in 2017 where it received eight Tony Award nominations. Performances run November 21 - December 16, 2018, at the Lyceum Stage Theatre. Tickets start at $25 and are currently on sale to the general public. Previews run November 21 - 27, 2018. Press opening is Wednesday, November 28 at 7:00 p.m.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the world premiere production of La Ruta by acclaimed Chicago playwright Isaac Gomez, directed by ensemble member Sandra Marquez and featuring ensemble member Karen Rodriguez along with an eight-member all female Latinx cast. Inspired by the lives of Mexican women who live, work-and disappear-along a Ciudad Juarez bus route, La Ruta weaves live music through a story of resilience in the wake of loss.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater announced today that after 20 years of service to the Theater, Director of Audience Development Alida Szabo will be stepping down from her role at the end of the year.

Pulitzer Prize Finalist Dael Orlandersmith highlights the universal languages of love and music in Lady in Denmark, kicks off the 2018/2019 season in the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. Chay Yew, who also helmed the play's 2016 New Stages Festival staged reading, directs Linda Gehringer as Helene-a Danish American woman coping with the death of her husband who finds solace in the hauntingly beautiful music of their favorite singer, Billie Holiday. Orlandersmith's newest play is Helene's journey through the couple's time together-from the smoky jazz clubs of post-war Copenhagen to the home they shared in present-day Andersonville, Chicago. The creative team includes Andrew Boyce (set), Christine Pascual (costumes), Lee Fiskness (lighting) and Mikhail Fiksel (original music and sound). Donald E. Claxon is the production stage manager. Lady in Denmark appears October 19 - November 18, 2018 (opening night is October 29 at 7pm) in the Goodman's Owen Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); tickets ($15-45; subject to change), by telephone 312.443.3800 or online GoodmanTheatre.org/LadyInDenmark.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to launch its 2018-19 Season with the world premiere of J. Nicole Brooks' dazzling new play HeLa, directed by artistic director Jonathan L. Green* and presented in partnership with the Greenhouse Theater Center. HeLa will playNovember 18 - December 23, 2018 at the Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.

Victory Gardens Theater continues its 44th season with the World Premiere of Rightlynd, written by Ike Holter and directed by Lisa Portes with original music by Charlie Coffeen. Rightlynd runs November 9 - December 23, 2018, with press performances on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 3:00pm at Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) announced full casting for its upcoming production of We Are Proud to Present a Presentation About the Herero of Namibia, Formerly Known as South West Africa, From the German Sudwestafrika, Between the Years 1884-1915 by Jackie Sibblies Drury, co-directed by Hallie Gordon and Gabrielle Randle. It's the second of SYA's 2018-19 two-play season which asks, "When You Feel Lost, How Do You Find Your Way?" The cast features Will Alan (Actor 3/Another White Man), Taylor Blim (Actor 5/Sarah), Jeffrey Owen Freelon Jr. (Actor 2/Black Man), Michael Holding (Actor 1/White Man), Daniel Kyri (Actor 3/Another Black Man) and Jennifer Latimore (Actor 6/Black Woman).