Goodman Theatre News

Stone Soup Productions will present its second offering since inception last autumn, the two-act comedy, Always a Bridesmaid by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten from September 11 - 21, 2014.

American Theater Company (ATC) kicks off its 30th Anniversary season with two Chicago premieres exploring healthcare in America: Anna Deavere Smith's documentary Let Me Down Easy featuring ATC Ensemble Member Usman Ally, and Mercy Strain by Michael Milligan, top prize winner at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival. ATC's production is the first time Let Me Down Easy will be performed by an artist other than Deavere Smith.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: BOOTYCANDY begins previews, the LUCKY STIFF movie premieres in Montreal, and NEWSIES and BULLETS OVER BROADWAY close the curtain for the last time this Sunday!

Chicago actress, TV and film star Jane Lynch did the honor today of announcing the nominees for the 2013-2014 Equity Jeff Awards.

Patricia Welbourn Lorsch, Rusty Rueff, John D. Goldman, Amalia Perea Mahoney, Alyssa Mastromonaco, Reginald Van Lee

Two-time Tony Award Nominee Gavin Creel will make his long-awaited Provincetown debut with the acclaimed Broadway @ The Art House series on September 5 and 6 at 7:00 PM featuring series host and SiriusXM radio star Seth Rudetsky on the piano.

Is it possible to change one's destiny? Goodman Theatre's milestone 90th Anniversary Season begins with an 'All-New Fall' of new works, starting with Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig's The World of Extreme Happiness-a provocative exploration of a factory girl struggling to gain control over her life amid China's modern economic transformation.

Join award winning actress Andrea Martin as she discusses her new memoir, Andrea Martin's Lady Parts with good friend Nathan Lane - a not-to-be missed conversation on the triumphs and challenges, both professional and personal of a lifetime in show business, including lots of laugher along the way.

Exactly 125 years from when the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University opened its doors in 1889, the National Historic Landmark, led by Board Chairman Melvin L. Katten and Executive Director Brett Batterson, celebrates its milestone 125th Anniversary with a special performance, "Living the History - 125 Years of the Auditorium Theatre" on December 9, 2014. The celebratory evening, which begins with a star-studded program at the Auditorium Theatre (50 E Congress Pkwy), will include a tribute to the diverse entertainment that has been, and continues to be presented at the theatre including symphonic music, opera, Broadway musicals, rock music and dance. The performance will be immediately followed by a Gala Celebration Dinner at the Palmer House Hilton (17 E Monroe) to cap off the extraordinary night.

Richard Strand's Civil War drama 'Butler' makes its Midwest Premiere August 20 at Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional resident summer theater and Door County's theatrical icon. 'Butler' is a winner of the Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Program and made its world premiere in June at the New Jersey Repertory Company.

16th Street Theater announces MARIPOSA NOCTURNA: A Puppet Triptych conceived and created by Stephanie Diaz coming to North Berwyn Park District's 16th Street Theater, 6420 16th Street in Berwyn, for 3 special shows, this weekend, August 15, 16, 17.

The 'Alley Theatre @ UH' season begins with Betty Buckley, Hallie Foote, Annalee Jefferies and Veanne Cox in award-winning Texas playwright Horton Foote's The Old Friends, a Southwestern premiere.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Goodman Theatre's annual holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, now in its 37th year and directed by Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper for the second time.

Stoneham Theatre opens its 15th season with Doubt, John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, featuring Karen MacDonald and Gabriel Kuttner in the two lead roles. Performances run from September 11-28 at Stoneham Theatre, 395 Main Street in Stoneham.

Paper Mill Playhouse (Mark S. Hoebee-Producing Artistic Director, Todd Schmidt-Managing Director) is proud to open its 2014-2015 season with a Broadway-bound, world-class revival of Can-Can starring Kate Baldwin as Pistache and Jason Danieley as Aristide.

To kick off its 19th season, First Folio Theatre (Mayslake Peabody Estate, 31st St. & Rt. 83) is proud to present the World Premiere of the gothic drama THE GRAVEDIGGER, which previews October 1, opens October 4 and runs through November 2, 2014. The production is written by First Folio Artistic Associate Joseph Zettelmaier, who recently opened the World Premiere of his play Salvage at First Folio Theatre to sold-out audiences. Jeff Award nominee Alison C. Vesely (First Folio's A Moon for the Misbegotten) will direct. The cast is led by Craig Spidle (Brigadoon at The Goodman Theatre, Twelfth Night at First Folio Theatre, Fiddler on the Roof at Drury Lane Theatre) as 'Kurt' (The Gravedigger), Joshua Caroll as 'Anton' (The Monster), Simina Contras as 'Nadya' (A Gypsy), and Doug MacKechnie as 'Victor' (The Creator).

TimeLine Theatre Company is pleased to announce the expansion of its full-time staff with the addition of Dan McArdle as General Manager; the appointment of new Associate Artists, including Chicago-based and soon-to-be Broadway director Kimberly Senior; and the election of new leadership for its Board of Directors, including President John M. Sirek.

Firecat Projects, in conjunction with Steppenwolf Theatre, presents The Midnight City, written and performed by Tony Fitzpatrick with Stan Klein, Sept. 6-Oct. 19 in Steppenwolf's Garage Theatre, 1624 N Halsted.

The Geffen Playhouse announces the complete cast for the West Coast premiere of Choir Boy. This new production -- featuring gospel music -- will highlight several performers from the Manhattan Theatre Club run. Nicholas L. Ashe and Grantham Coleman will join the previously announced Jeremy Pope.

A great, big Broadway season is on its way, with fourteen productions already slated to open in the next few months. With several weeks until the craziness begins, there is still plenty of time to catch up on what's been going on at Broadway's already occupied theaters . BroadwayWorld will be profiling the hits of the Great White Way that continue to draw crowds after months, years, and (in some cases) decades. Meet the current cast of Broadway's MATILDA below!