Goodman Theatre News

Hanson Award winner IRA LEE COLLINGS returns to Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46th Street, NYC to celebrate Gay Pride Month with his new show LIFE IS A SONG - SO WHY NOT SING IT! on June 2nd, 12th and 26th at 7 PM.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces Lauren Shouse as the company's new Artistic Associate.

Yangtze Repertory Theatre of America returns to Theater for the New City (TNC) June 2 to 18 to present the New York premiere of '401[GONE]' by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, the prize-winning author of 'The World of Extreme Happiness' (Manhattan Theater Club, 2015). 

Due to popular demand, Shattered Globe Theatre's hit Chicago premiere of Sarah Ruhl's FOR PETER PAN ON HER 70th BIRTHDAY will add one additional week of performances, extending through May 27, 2017 at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago.  Directed by Jessica Thebus, the imaginative and moving drama was written for Ruhl's mother, Kathleen Ruhl, who stars in the Shattered Globe production. Tickets for all performances are currently available at www.theaterwit.org, in person at the Theater Wit Box Office or by calling (773) 975-8150.

Porchlight Music Theatre annouces that its 2017 ICONS Gala celebrating the career of Broadway legend Hal Prince held Sunday, April 30 in the Atlantic Ballroom at the Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago, 221 N. Columbus Drive, broke its records for number of attendees and funds raised, making it the most succesful gala in the organization's 22-year history. The Gala, with honorary chair Paul Lisnek, included special guest Lonny Price and performances from Chicago's leading talents celebrating the career of Hal Prince, the presentation of the 2017 Guy Adkins Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Music Theatre in Chicago to Rachel Rockwell and silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the event and its accompanying auctions benefit Porchlight's educational programs and productions.

This summer, experience the agony and ecstasy of first love all over again in Goodman Theatre's major revival of Ah, Wilderness! - the sole comedic work of playwright Eugene O'Neill, the father of American drama. Steve Scott, the Goodman's longtime Producer, directs O'Neill's portrait of family life at the turn of the century - and the bliss, excitement and adventure of first love. 

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) has announced five productions as part of its complete 2017/18 Season.

R-S Theatrics is excited to announce its eighth season opener Light in the Piazza with the lush music of Adam Guettel (Floyd Collins), and the book by Craig Lucas (Prelude to a Kiss) has distilled Elizabeth Spencer's novella to a poignant tale about the essence of love. This production will continue R-S Theatrics residence with the Kranzberg Arts Organization.

The Theatre School at DePaul University is pleased to present two world premiere productions: Michael Jordan in Lilliput by Mickle Maher, and directed by Erica Weiss in the Sondra and Dennis Healy Theatre and Mrs. Phu's Cleansing Juices (and Also Salads) by Emily L. Witt, and directed by Krissy Vanderwarker on the Fullerton Stage. Michael Jordan in Lilliput opens on Friday, May 5, and runs through Sunday, May 14, 2017, with previews on May 3 and 4; Mrs. Phu's Cleansing Juices (and Also Salads) opens on Friday, May 19, and runs through Saturday, May 27, 2017, with previews on May 17 and 18. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM.

Don't miss Trap Door Theatre's Into the Empty Sky, inspired by collection of works by Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska and directed by Monica Payne.  Into the Empty Sky explores the strength it takes to flee catastrophe, the haunting nature of memory, and the (im)possibility of making it out alive. Opens May 11th and runs through June 17th.  

Artistic Directors Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern announce that Vineyard Theatre's 2017-2018 season will include the world premiere of THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE, a new work - fusing drama, dance and music - by five-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (CONTACT, THE PRODUCERS), playwright David Thompson (SCOTTSBORO BOYS), and legendary composer and four-time Tony Award winner John Kander (CABARET, CHICAGO).

This summer, Goodman Theatre and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice (CPCP) present four one-day capacity building workshops focused on creative change tactics for members of Chicago's communities. These sessions are part of NOURISH-a multi-year initiative between the Goodman and CPCP to develop a greater capacity for arts-based community-led transformation-led by Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor (Goodman Theatre) and Michael Rohd (Founding Artist/Director of CPCP/Sojourn Theatre).

Atlantic Theater Company has announced its 2017-18 season productions and one Atlantic for Kids production.

Damascus, Syria: 2014. Four friends gather to watch their favorite soap opera on TV - but are all the unspoken passions on the screen? Is anything really what it seems to be? Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents a politically charged and emotionally urgent new play by acclaimed Chilean playwright Guillermo Calderon. Bart DeLorenzo directs the West Coast premiere of Kiss for an April 29 opening at the Odyssey Theatre.

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Linda Vista by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright and ensemble member Tracy Letts, directed by Dexter Bullard. The production continues for seven additional performances, through May 28, 2017.

Lincoln Center Theater has announced that Tasha Lawrence, Morocco Omari, Karen Pittman, Namir Smallwood, Jaime Lincoln Smith, and Heather Velazquez will be featured in its upcoming production of PIPELINE, a new play by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, which begins performances Thursday, June 15 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65 Street).  Opening night is Monday, July 10.

Director Michael Greif, who has directed seminal Broadway musicals including Rent, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens and many more, just received a Sardi's portrait to celebrate his career and work on Broadway directing this season's new musicals Dear Evan Hansen and War Paint. The casts from both of his shows came out to celebrate the occasion and BroadwayWorld was there!

Goodman Theatre invites members of the Chicagoland theater community-directors, designers, actors and theater artisans working at local performing arts venues-to a giveaway that includes select prop and set pieces from past Goodman productions. Every item is offered completely free of charge, and all must be taken immediately. Previews are not available prior to the sale. The props giveaway will take place at Goodman Theatre's Scene Shop (363 W. Pershing Road) starting at 9am until 1pm (or while supplies last). In lieu of an admission fee, the Goodman will accept donations in any amount ($10 suggested minimum) for Season of Concern, a service organization of the Chicago theater community. On-site parking is available. For more information, call 312.443.3819 ext. 103. For media inquiries, call the Publicity Office at 312.443.5152.

Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book has seen no shortage of adaptations. In addition to its original print form, it's the source for two Disney movies, and a stage adaptation at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago a few years back. Would-be adaptors face as slight problem in that while there is lots of fun within Kipling's stories about a human child named Mowgli being raised by wolves, the story also has a dark side to it that might not work well for the youngest of theatregoers. Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland is currently presenting a new adaptation by Greg Banks of Kipling's work, which will leave your little ones engaged from beginning to end without clawing you to go into the lobby. Older kids and adults are also likely to enjoy themselves, making it a theatergoing experience for the whole family.

Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie has set the 2017-2018 season at Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City.