Michael Maggio News

Who best determines an infant's fate among differing values concerning drugs, religion and child rearing? Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman asks this question and more in her latest play, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls in their fourth collaboration. Gilman's seven Goodman productions-six of which were world premieres, including five commissions-make her one of the most-produced contemporary playwrights in the theater's history. Luna Gale runs January 18 - February 23 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, January 27). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

Who best determines an infant's fate among differing values concerning drugs, religion and child rearing? Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebecca Gilman asks this question and more in her latest play, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls in their fourth collaboration. Gilman's seven Goodman productions-six of which were world premieres, including five commissions-make her one of the most-produced contemporary playwrights in the theater's history. Appearing in her 16th Goodman production, Chicago stage favorite Mary Beth Fisher-who also originated roles in Gilman's Spinning Into Butter and Boy Gets Girl-stars as veteran social worker Caroline, who is charged with making tough decisions about the future of Luna Gale, a vulnerable child. The recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award, Luna Gale is part of the Goodman's "Great Women at Play" subscription package, featuring works written and/or directed by Rachel Rockwell (Brigadoon), Joanie Schultz (Venus in Fur), Jessica Thebus, Tracey Scott Wilson (Buzzer) and Mary Zimmerman (The White Snake). Luna Gale runs January 18 - February 23 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, January 27). Tickets ($25 - $81; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Luna, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). The Goodman Women's Board is a Major Production Sponsor and Mayer Brown is a Corporate Sponsor Partner. Ogletree Deakins and U.S. Bank are the Opening Night Sponsors. Audience enrichment events and a full performance calendar follow.

A new crop of local talent joins Goodman Theatre's artistic team for the 2013/2014 Season. The four Chicago-based writers named to the fourth season of the Playwrights Unit-a year-long residency program designed to support and develop new works-include Andrew Hinderaker, Gift Theatre ensemble member; Mickle Maher, cofounder of Theater Oobleck; Anne Garcia-Romero, a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists; and Laura Schellhardt, who oversees undergraduate playwriting at Northwestern University. A partnership with Chicago Dramatists, the Playwrights Unit meets twice per month with members of the Goodman's artistic team to discuss their plays-in-progress and provide feedback for one another. The program includes readings of the playwrights' works-in-progress at Chicago Dramatists in early 2014, and culminates in summer 2014 with staged readings of their completed works at the Goodman. Playwrights Unit alumni include Greg Allen, Alice Austen, Ike Holter and Christopher Oscar Peña (2012/2013 Season); Philip Dawkins, Nambi E. Kelley, Elaine Romero and Martin Zimmerman (2011/2012 Season); and Seth Bockley, Lisa Dillman, Laura Jacqmin and Rohina Malik (2010/2011 Season).

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol begins its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs now through December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs tonight, November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

The question of who determines a child's fate amidst drug addiction, religion and child custody laws takes center stage in Rebecca Gilman's newest work, Luna Gale, directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls.

The most wonderful time of the year is underway as rehearsals begin this week for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, 'a joyous present for the entire family' (Chicago Sun-Times), in its 36th annual production. Directing the holiday favorite for the first time, Henry Wishcamper's production features all-new on stage magic-set elements, special effects and more. The cast of 27 (below, includes 14 new and 13 returning cast members) stars Larry Yando, who most recently appeared in Mary Zimmerman's production of The Jungle Book as Shere Khan, in his sixth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge and 8-year-old Matthew Abraham as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs November 16 - December 28 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre.

Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker will play in the Clarence Brown Theatre's Carousel Theatre October 3-20, 2014. Based on real events, this award-winning drama is an evocative look at a moment in history - the founding of a nation -and an inspiring tale about the transforming power of theatre. The production is sponsored by the Clayton Foundation. It contains brief nudity and strong language. A staged reading of The Recruiting Officer immediately following the Friday, October 11 performance and a talk back with the director, dramaturg and cast immediately following the Sunday, October 13 matinee also are associated with this production.

From the surreal Hollywood life as Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage's office manager, actress to family illness and love, it's all an uplifting story of one woman's courageous romp through life's heartaches, headaches and hysterics - Why Not Me. Love, Cancer and Jack White - is a new one woman show from Chicago writer and performer Jen Bosworth. The groundbreaking performance takes place at this years New York International Fringe Festival which runs from todya, August 9th - 25th, 2013.

Silk Road Rising Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani are proud to announce the Midwest Premiere of Invasion!, written by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles, directed by Anna C. Bahow. Invasion! runs today, July 30 - September 1, 2013, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago.

Silk Road Rising Artistic Director Jamil Khoury and Executive Director Malik Gillani are proud to announce the Midwest Premiere of Invasion!, written by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, translated by Rachel Willson-Broyles, directed by Anna C. Bahow. Invasion! runs July 30 - September 1, 2013, in Pierce Hall at The Historic Chicago Temple Building, 77 W. Washington St, Chicago.

The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep today, June 20 - July 14, 2013. Based on George Bernard Shaw's well-known play Candida, this musical soars with its emotive and dazzling score by the award-winning composer of Adding Machine, Joshua Schmidt, and its beautiful lyrics by Jan Levy Tranen. The smart script by Austin Pendleton, a Tony-nominated director, actor and playwright, and graceful directing by the originator and award-winning director, Michael Halberstam, shape this musical into an adventurous evening of theatre. The Wall Street Journal says, 'This is the most important new musical since The Light in the Piazza ... to say that you mustn't miss it is to grossly understate the case.'

From the surreal Hollywood life as Academy Award Winner Nicolas Cage's office manager, actress to family illness and love, it's all an uplifting story of one woman's courageous romp through life's heartaches, headaches and hysterics - Why Not Me. Love, Cancer and Jack White - is a new one woman show from Chicago writer and performer Jen Bosworth. The groundbreaking performance takes place at this years New York International Fringe Festival which runs from August 9th - 25th, 2013.

The poignant and provocative new musical, A Minister's Wife, makes its West Coast premiere at San Jose Rep June 20 - July 14, 2013.

The 20th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program will take place on Monday, April 15, at Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. 5pm-10pm

The Ruckus Theater and Tympanic Theatre Company have announced their upcoming world premiere co-production of Brewed. Developed over the course of 8 years through a series of workshops, the script of Brewed is written by Scott T. Barsotti and directed by Anna C. Bahow. The cast of seven women is a motley crew of Ruckus and Tympanic regulars and Chicago theater favorites. Brewed is performed at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont) March 2-24, 2013. Thursday-Saturday performances are at 8:00pm; Sunday performances are at 7:00pm. Preview is on Friday, March 1 and tickets are $12. Press opening is on Monday, March 4, 2013. General tickets are $17. A complete performance schedule including dates, times, and ticket prices appears at the end of this release.

The Ruckus Theater and Tympanic Theatre announces casting for the world premiere of Brewed starting March 2, 2013 at Theater Wit in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The script of Brewed is written by Ruckus Season 4 featured playwright Scott T. Barsotti and is directed by Chicago director Anna C. Bahow. The all-female cast of seven includes Dana Black (Next Theatre Company, Lifeline Theatre), Ruckus Ensemble Member Stevie Chaddock-Lambert (Ka-Tet Theatre, Strangeloop Theatre), Tympanic Company Member Charlotte Mae Ellison (Clockwise Theatre, Awkward Pause), Meredith Lyons (The House Theatre, Theatre for People Who Need It) Ruckus Company Member Elise Mayfield (The Mammals, Infusion Theatre), Tympanic Artistic Associate Susan Myburgh (Right Brain Project, Chicago Fusion Theatre), and Erin Myers (The Mammals, 16th Street Theater).