Goodman Theatre News

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: BLACKBIRD opens on Broadway and more!

Arizona Theatre Company's (ATC) powerhouse season continues with one of the most celebrated works in American literature, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, the emotional and stirring account of migrant workers George and Lennie who dream of settling down on a farm where the land stretches forever and the soft rabbits need tending, tonight, March 5, through March 26 at the Temple of Music and Art, 333 S. Scott Ave. I.

In conjunction with its upcoming production of August Wilson's HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED, the Huntington Theatre Company will host a number of special events and post-show conversations. 

Artists/educators/activists Willa J. Taylor and Bobby Biedrzycki of Goodman Theatre's Education and Engagement team have been invited to present an interactive workshop at South by Southwest Education (SXSWedu) an internationally renowned convergence of creative artists and educators, in Austin, Texas, next week.

Kansas City Repertory Theatre will continue its 2015-16 season with The Fantasticks, directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Producing Director Jerry Genochio.

?At the 20th annual Pell Awards, Trinity Repertory Company will honor local artists Len Cabral and Charlene Carpenzano with Rhode Island Pell Awards for Excellence in the Arts alongside previously announced honorees The Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis, Laurie Eustis and Elizabeth Chace. The awards ceremony and celebration will be held at Ochre Court on the Salve Regina University Campus in Newport, RI on May 23, 2016. Tickets and sponsorships are now available at www.trinityrep.com.

Silk Road Rising and Executive Director Malik Gillani are proud to announce the World Premiere of MOSQUE ALERT, a new play written by Jamil Khoury and directed by Edward Torres. MOSQUE ALERT runs March 24 - May 1, 2016, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Lower Level, in Chicago. Press opening is Saturday, April 2 at 4:00 pm.

The Ware Center Celebrates five years with a special event -- its 5th Anniversary Gala featuring legendary Broadway star Patti LuPone -- on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 7:30 PM.

Asolo Rep continues its record-breaking 2015-2016 season and the fourth season of its five-year American Character Project with the thrilling and poignant Tony-nominated and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama: DISGRACED.

?Peninsula Players Theatre will present a reading of "The Love List" by Norm Foster at Bjorklunden at 7590 Boynton Lane, Baileys Harbor at 7p.m., Monday, March 7.   "The Love List" is a careful-what-you-wish-for comedy by Norm Foster, often hailed as "Canada's Neil Simon."    Join the Players reading of this firecracker comedy that examines men's expectations of the perfect woman.  Admission is free.

Twenty-one Chicago high school students will perform in the August Wilson Monologue Competition Finals on Monday, March 7, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St. for a chance to represent Chicago in the National Competition in New York City. Judges for this years' competition include Narda Alcorn, Equity Stage Manager on many August Wilson productions, playwright Lydia Diamond and actor Allen Gilmore, who has performed in numerous August Wilson plays.

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Kimber Lee's heart-felt drama, BROWNSVILLE SONG (B-SIDE FOR TRAY), a vivid and stirring play that leaves one family at a powerful crossroads in search of hope. Directed by Juliette Carrillo (Seattle Rep's The Brothers Size), BROWNSVILLE SONG (B-SIDE FOR TRAY) runs March 25-April 24, 2016 in the Leo K. Theatre.

Porchlight Music Theatre and Artistic Director Michael Weber have announced the second production in the third smash season of Chicago's 'lost' musicals in staged concert series, PORCHLIGHT REVISTS...APPLAUSE, featuring book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, with direction and choreography by Porchlight Artistic Associate Christopher Pazdernik, music direction by Nick Sula.

Cleveland Play House's (CPH) monumental 100th Season continues with the regional premiere of LUNA GALE today. CPH welcomes back film and stage legend Austin Pendleton to direct this contemporary drama that begs the question 'To whom do you belong?' Written by Rebecca Gilman, recipient of the 2015 Roe Green Award, LUNA GALE runs today, February 27 through March 20 in the intimate Allen Theatre.

MCC THEATER presents Noah Haidle's Smokefall, playing through Sunday, March 20th. Smokefall by Noah Haidle, directed by Anne Kauffman, stars Emmy nominated star of stage and screen Zachary Quinto, indie film icon and television star Robin Tunney, and NYC theater veterans Tom Bloom, Brian Hutchison, and Taylor Richardson. The show just opened Monday night, February 22, at the Lucille Lortel Theater, and you can check out highlights below!

Audience enthusiasm for 2666 continues, prompting the Goodman to add a fifth performance in the production's extension week.

Vienna Juvenile Sketch Comedy is proud to announce that their fourth sketch revue, The Adventures of Reginald Sampson (and the Consequence of Bliss), will make its debut this April at Chicago's iO Theater (1501 N Kinsbury St, Chicago, IL, 60642). The show will be directed by the group's Resident Director, Sophie Blumberg, and it will be written and performed by Vienna Juvenile Ensemble Members and Layne Dixon, Hank Greene, and Anthony Smith. The show will run on Fridays at 10:30pm from April 22 - May 27, with a preview performance on April 15. All performances will be in The Chris Farley Cabaret. Tickets are $14 for the general public (free for iO students), and they can be purchased online at  iOImprov.com/Chicago, or by calling the box office at (312) 929-2401.

Arizona Theatre Company's (ATC) powerhouse season continues with one of the most celebrated works in American literature, John Steinbeck's OF MICE AND MEN, the emotional and stirring account of migrant workers George and Lennie who dream of settling down on a farm where the land stretches forever and the soft rabbits need tending, March 5-26 at the Temple of Music and Art, 333 S. Scott Ave. I.

From training to combat, experience the anguish, fears and triumphs of a brotherhood who fought for freedom abroad -- and at home. FLY, directed by Ricardo Khan, co-founder and former artistic director of Crossroads Theatre Company, and choreographed by Hope Clarke (A Free Man of Color; Jelly's Last Jam; Caroline, or Change) and Omar Edwards (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk), tells the heroic tale of the Tuskegee Airmen through the eyes of four courageous young men.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced the addition of Constellations by Nick Payne to this summer's lineup. Directed by Steppenwolf Artistic Producer Jonathan Berry, the Chicago premiere production features ensemble member Jon Michael Hill as 'Roland' (CBS's Elementary, Steppenwolf's Superior Donuts). Casting for the role of 'Marianne' will be announced at a later date. Constellations debuted in London at the Royal Court to critical acclaim before moving on to successful runs in both The West End and on Broadway. Previews begin May 26, 2016 (Press/Opening night is Wednesday, June 1 at 7:30pm) and the production runs through July 3, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Tickets ($20 - $89) go on sale Friday, March 18 at 11am through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.