Roche Schulfer News

Two countries, three generations, 22 turbulent years?and a dynamic soundtrack ranging from Syd Barrett to The Plastic People of the Universe to U2?are at the heart of Rock 'n' Roll, a sweeping and passionate drama about love, music and revolution from Academy Award and four-time Tony Award-winner Tom Stoppard. For the play?s Chicago premiere at Goodman Theatre, Artistic Director Robert Falls taps director Charles Newell, whose reputation for directing acclaimed Stoppard productions precedes him. Newell?s cast of 12 is led by Stephen Yoakam and Chicago favorites Timothy Edward Kane and Mary Beth Fisher, who explore the unique intersection of politics and art against the background of John Culbert?s rock concert-inspired set design?complete with a floor resembling the cover art of Barrett?s solo album, Madcap Laughs. Rock ?n? Roll will be performed in the Albert Theatre May 2 ? June 7, 2009. Tickets are $25 ? $75. A complete performance schedule including dates, times and ticket prices appears at the end of this release. The Edith-Marie Appleton Foundation and Goodman Theatre Women?s Board are the Major Production Sponsors for Rock ?n? Roll and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP is the Corporate Sponsor Partner. Additional support is provided by the Director?s Society Sponsors. WXRT is the Official Radio Sponsor of Rock ?n? Roll.

Goodman Theatre is proud to participate in Science Chicago, a year-long program that is aimed at engaging the Chicago-land region in science and raising awareness of the importance of science education. Through three free readings from Tom Stoppard, Richard Rhodes, and Caryl Churchill, the Goodman and Science Chicago tap into the ?chemistry? between art and science, and explore the scientific themes that are resurrected through these modern plays. Readings take place on three consecutive Mondays, June 8, 15 and 22, beginning at 6pm. A post-play discussion, led by a member of the Goodman?s Artistic staff and noted experts in the fields of physics and bioengineering, follows each reading. Events are free but reservations are recommended by calling the Goodman box office at 312.443.3800.

Givenik.com, the revolutionary new way to buy Broadway theater tickets (and save the world!) has just added their 200th non-profit/charity: the Goodman Theatre of Chicago, it was announced today by Jordan Roth, Vice President, Jujamcyn Theatres.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Givenik.com, the revolutionary new way to buy Broadway theater tickets (and save the world!) has just added their 200th non-profit/charity: the Goodman Theatre of Chicago, it was announced today by Jordan Roth, Vice President, Jujamcyn Theatres.

On behalf of Goodman Theatre and Artistic Director Robert Falls, Executive Director Roche Schulfer proudly accepted Actors Equity Association (AEA)'s 'Spirit Recognition Award,' honoring individuals and institutions that have made non-traditional casting a way of life. The award was presented at AEA's Central Region Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Committee's 'Spirit 2009 - A Celebration of Diversity' event held on Monday, March 30 at the Goodman, recognizing Central Region Members of Color and minority-focused theaters and producers.

The 16th Annual Merritt Award for Excellence in Design and Collaboration program, honoring world class scenic designer Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County), will take place on Monday, April 27, at the Steppenwolf Merle Reskin Garage Theatre. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a viewing of the third annual ?Theater Design Expo' showcasing the works of over 20 Chicago-area emerging theatrical designers and a student portfolio review. Martha Lavey, Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, will moderate an inclusive discussion, 'Moving Chicago Productions to New York and Beyond' with the awardees, Director Anna Shapiro and Joshua Schmidt, composer and librettist, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Three countries, six theater companies, fourteen plays and programs, sixty-one days and an audience numbering nearly 50,000 defined 'A Global Exploration: Eugene O'Neill in the 21st Century' and marked an unprecedented success for Goodman Theatre. Artistic Director Robert Falls curated the ambitious eight-play selection of O'Neill's early works that appeared on both of the Goodman's stages January 7 - March 8: the 856-Albert and the 400-seat flexible Owen, which was transformed seven times, custom-designed for the visiting companies. The Exploration offerings performed at a grand total of 90% of capacity-alone, Falls' Broadway-bound production of Desire Under the Elms achieved 95% of capacity.

The Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) and Goodman Theatre's (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) acclaimed co-production of RUINED, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Kate Whoriskey began previews last week at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The limited engagement opens tonight, Tuesday, February 10.

Lynn Nottage, whose new play RUINED is currently in previews at Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street), is currently featured on The Huffington Post.

The Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) and Goodman Theatre's (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) acclaimed co-production of RUINED, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Kate Whoriskey began previews last week at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The limited engagement will open Tuesday, February 10.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce that After Words, the popular discussion series which has been a success at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre will come to MTC at New York City Center for the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's RUINED, the haunting, probing work about the resilience of the human spirit during times of war. The series will make its debut at New York City Center on Saturday, January 31 following the matinee performance of RUNED. The panel will feature RUINED playwright Lynn Nottage and Jessica Neuwirth, a founder and current president of Equality Now. The discussion will be moderated by MTC Artistic Associate Lisa McNulty. After Words is part of MTC's continuing effort to deepen and enrich the play-going experience for its audiences. Held after selected Saturday matinees, this exciting series of talks with writers, cultural critics, journalists, and members of the RUINED cast and creative team provides provocative and illuminating insights into the political, cultural, and artistic contexts of the work MTC produces.

RUINED, currently in previews at Manhattan Theatre Club, is featured on today's edition of NPR's 'Tell Me More.' To hear playwright Lynn Nottage and actress Saidah Arrika Ekulona discuss the play and the timely issues it explores, CLICK HERE. In the interview which also features clips from the play, Nottage and Ekulona discuss the ongoing violence against women that takes place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where RUINED is set, and bringing the play to the stage. The Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) and Goodman Theatre's (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) co-production of RUINED, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Kate Whoriskey, will open Tuesday, February 10 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). In addition to Ekulona, RUINED also features Quincy Tyler Bernstine (The Misanthrope at NYTW), Cherise Boothe (King Hedley II at Signature), Chris Chalk (MTC's Defiance), William Jackson Harper (Queens Boulevard), Chik? Johnson (The Crucible at Steppenwolf), Russell Gebert Jones (Our Lady of 121st Street), Simon Shabantu Kashama (Ruined at the Goodman), two-time Emmy? Award winner Kevin Mambo ('The Guiding Light'), Tom Mardirosian (Wonderful Town, HBO's 'Oz'), Ron McBee (The Colored Museum) and Condola Rashad (Pearl at The Kennedy Center).

The Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) and Goodman Theatre's (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Executive Director) acclaimed co-production of RUINED, written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Kate Whoriskey begins previews tonight at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The limited engagement will open Tuesday, February 10. RUINED features Quincy Tyler Bernstine (The Misanthrope at NYTW), Cherise Boothe (King Hedley II at Signature), Chris Chalk (MTC's Defiance), Saidah Arrika Ekulona (Well, Nottage's Fabulation) William Jackson Harper (Queens Boulevard), Chik? Johnson (The Crucible at Steppenwolf), Russell Gebert Jones (Our Lady of 121st Street), Simon Shabantu Kashama (Ruined at the Goodman), two-time Emmy? Award winner Kevin Mambo ('The Guiding Light'), Tom Mardirosian (Wonderful Town, HBO's 'Oz'), Ron McBee (The Colored Museum) and Condola Rashad (Pearl at The Kennedy Center). RUINED played an extended engagement at the Goodman's Owen Theatre where it opened to rave reviews for Nottage's play, the ensemble cast, and director Kate Whoriskey.

Consistently included among the Midwest's top-tier holiday events, Goodman Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol returns for its 31st season. Guided by sixteen years of experience with the production, Chicago actor/director William Brown returns to direct Tom Creamer's adaptation of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella for his third consecutive year.

Single tickets for Manhattan Theatre Club's productions at New York City Center, including the announced productions of ROMANTIC POETRY, RUINED, and BACK BACK BACK, are on sale now.

Adriane Lenox is returning to MTC where she appeared in the world premiere of Doubt which subsequently transferred to Broadway and garnered her the 2005 Tony Award â for Best Featured Actress in a Play.

Manhattan Theatre Club announced casting for two of its upcoming productions: ROMANTIC POETRY, the world premiere musical by John Patrick Shanley and Henry Krieger, and RUINED, a world premiere play by Lynn Nottage.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to announce that Tony Awardâ winner Adriane Lenox will return to MTC next spring to head the cast of the world premiere production of Lynn Nottage's RUINED.

MANHATTAN THEATRE CLUB (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer; Daniel Sullivan, Acting Artistic Director 2007-2008 Season) is pleased to announce upcoming productions for its 2008-2009 season, including two shows on Broadway at MTC's Biltmore Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and two productions at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).