Goodman Theatre News

Over eight million people have lived to tell the tale of one of the most successful - and terrifying - theatre events ever staged, and it's coming to shock audiences in Chicago this fall. The Woman in Black - London's long-running West End play -  will open at Chicago's Royal George Theatre in November with all the stage thrills that have led audiences in London to shriek in fear for 30 years.

The Guthrie Theater presents West Side Story. Directed by Haj, this major revival of a timeless classic will play June 16 - August 26, 2018, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Single tickets for West Side Story start at $15 for preview performances (June 16-21) and are on sale now through the Box Office at 612.377.2224, 877.44.STAGE (toll-free), 612.225.6244 (group sales) and online at guthrietheater.org.

Porchlight Music Theatre's Mainstage 2018 - 2019 season launches with Gypsy, A Musical Fable, October 12 - November 25, at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA) announces the full casting for its first show of the 2018/19 season, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. This Tony Award-winning play is adapted by Simon Stephens, based on the book by Mark Haddon and directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry.

Evans's Production, with a Translation by Paula Wing, Will Feature a Cast of Three Women Bringing to Life Assassinated Journalist Anna Politkovskaya's Uncompromising Drive to Unveil Hard Truths

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed by Tony Award Winner Phylicia Rashad. A unique story that expresses how early-life choices can lead to mid-life challenges and the humorous, touching and unexpected rewards of bridging the divide, the Steppenwolf production will feature ensemble members Ora Jones as Robyn and Sandra Marquez as Sharon. Get a first look below!

Planet Connections Theatre Festivity (PCTF), the brainchild of arts professional  Glory Kadigan, turns 10 years old. Known for its engaging and empowering series of plays every summer, the festivity is also celebrated for presenting  readings of new works by some of Ny's most prominent writers of independent theater.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists. Members of the 2017/2018 Playwrights Unit include Sam Collier, Ricardo Gamboa, Isaac Gomez, Kristin Idaszak and Nigel O'Hearn. Free, one-time-only readings take place July 14-18 at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn); to make a reservation call 312.443.3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org/PlaywrightsUnit. Availability is extremely limited.

Goodman Theatre announces a line-up of free staged readings written by members of its Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency for Chicago-based writers to develop their plays-in-progress with the Goodman's artistic team, in partnership with Chicago Dramatists.

Tony Award nominee DENIS ARNDT (Heisenberg) has joined the company of the Broadway production of Young Jean Lee's dark comedy, STRAIGHT WHITE MENdirected by Anna D. Shapiro. Mr. Arndt will perform the role of Ed, replacing Tom Skerritt, who has departed the production for personal reasons.

The Dramatists Guild of America is pleased to announce the co-recipients of the 2018 Lanford Wilson Award are Isaac Gomez and R. Eric Thomas. Their awards will be presented at the Guild's award ceremony, during their national conference, on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Hilton Midtown in New York.

Commission Theatre (CT) presents CLEARING, a social drama by Beth Hyland. CLEARING will be directed by Claire Reinhart. The opening night and press performance will take place on Friday June 8th at 8pm with Thursday - Today performances through June 23rd. This is the first production of Commission Theatre's 2018 season.

Lovers of new theatre will gather this August for an advance look at tomorrow's hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 2018 New Works Festival at Palo Alto's Lucie Stern Theatre. This unique festival offers audiences an extraordinary opportunity to experience new plays and musicals in their early stages of development, and hear about the creative process in a "Meet the Artists" panel discussion. With multiple performances of each work, playwrights and composers are able to rewrite scenes, add or delete songs, revise and refine, allowing audiences to return and watch the exciting evolution of brand new pieces of American theatre.

Flying Elephant Productions is pleased to announce casting for its Chicago premiere of DEFACING MICHAEL JACKSON, Aurin Squire's racially-charged comedy about adolescence, sexual discovery and the conflict between community and culture, directed by Alexis J. Roston.

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to conclude its 30th anniversary season with the Chicago premiere of THE HARVEST, Samuel D. Hunter's drama about a group of young missionaries preparing to travel to the Middle East, directed by Jonathan Berry. THE HARVEST will play July 21 - August 25, 2018 at The Den Theatre (2B), 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are currently available at www.griffintheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830. 

The Guthrie Theater (Joseph Haj, artistic director) proudly announced the cast and creative team for the theater's summer musical, West Side Story. Directed by Haj, this major revival of a timeless classic will play June 16 - August 26, 2018, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Single tickets for West Side Story start at $15 for preview performances (June 16-21) and are on sale now through the Box Office at 612.377.2224, 877.44.STAGE (toll-free), 612.225.6244 (group sales) and online at guthrietheater.org.

Sideshow Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its world premiere of Kristiana Rae Colon's spectacular and fearless indictment TILIKUM, directed by Lili-Anne Brown.

TimeLine Theatre Company announces the cast and creative team for the launch of its 22nd season-a revival of A Shayna Maidel, Barbara Lebow's moving family drama about two sisters reunited after years of separation caused by the rise of the Nazis.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere production of The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed by Tony Award Winner Phylicia Rashad. A unique story that expresses how early-life choices can lead to mid-life challenges and the humorous, touching and unexpected rewards of bridging the divide, the Steppenwolf production will feature ensemble members Ora Jones as Robyn and Sandra Marquez as Sharon.

American Blues Theater announces encore performance run of BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story, written by Alan Janes, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, with musical direction by Ensemble Member Michael Mahler. BUDDY - The Buddy Holly Story will reopen June 29 - September 15, 2018 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are on sale now.