Sadieh Rifai News

Chicago actor, improviser, and director Michael Patrick Thornton brings back his hit improv show YOU & ME, a two-person, entirely improvised, no suggestion-inspired set featuring Thornton and a different guest artist each week. 

Ellen Fairey's SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN, now in a world premiere at Goodman Theatre, finds that sweet spot between hilarious and gently critical of modern society. As might be presumed from the title, Fairey's play concerns a gathering of four Chicago men who come together on Thursday nights in an apartment that borders on the edge of Wrigleyville and Boystown. Fairey's exploration of gender roles and the increasing need to become more open and embracing of those outside the binary means that the play's locale is particularly central to its narrative. And while some of the characters in SUPPORT GROUP seem rather set in their ways, Fairey is careful to never point fingers in a mean-spirited way. The play succeeds in large part because Fairey displays such a great deal of empathy for each of her characters.

'We are brothers, we are men. We do not give advice or comment on other people's feelings or situations. We only talk when we have the stick.' These are the rules of Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey (Graceland, TV's Nurse Jackie, Masters of Sex, The Sinner) about what it means to be a man in today's America.

"We are brothers, we are men. We do not give advice or comment on other people's feelings or situations. We only talk when we have the stick." These are the rules of Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey (Graceland, TV's Nurse Jackie, Masters of Sex, The Sinner) about what it means to be a man in today's America.

The world's changing, bro. This summer, Goodman Theatre premieres Support Group for Men, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey, directed by Kimberly Senior. Fairey, whose work has been hailed 'a must-see for anyone who follows important new plays' (Chicago Tribune), explores shifting social and gender roles through the lens of four men who gather every Thursday night to vent about middle-aged maladies.

Random Acts has announced the second #safespace event, hosted by comedian Brittany Meyer and taking place at Mrs. Murphy's and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago) on Sunday, April 22nd at 6pm. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Trans Lifeline.

Random Acts is thrilled to announce the complete list of artists for the inaugural #SafeSpace event, launching on Monday, March 19th at 8pm hosted by Sadieh Rifai (Amazon's Patriot.) Proceeds from the event, which will be held at Galway Arms (2442 N. Clark) will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Creative Coworking announces its new, event series, "The Parlor," presented in partnership with Fierce Productions. On Fridays, April 6, June 1, August 3, October 5, December 7, The Parlor presents interactive performances of dance, music, and theatre. Set in the historic Colvin House, The Parlor is a variety show inspired by the salons de Paris of the 1800s. A salon is defined as a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine the taste and expand the knowledge of the participants through conversation.

Random Acts new variety event series, #SafeSpace, will launch with a show on Monday, March 19th at 8pm hosted by actor and comedian Sadieh Rifai (Amazon's Patriot.). Proceeds from the 3/19 event will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Random Acts, the micro-budget theatre company behind the smash-hit Strangest Things! The Musical will premiere a new monthly variety series spotlighting underrepresented voices and raising funds for deserving causes. Titled '#SafeSpace,' the series will debut on Monday, March 19th at 8pm with a show hosted by comedian and actor Sadieh Rifai (Amazon's Patriot.) All proceeds from the 3/19 event will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

More Chicagoland families now have the opportunity to experience A Christmas Carol as Goodman Theatre offers its first-ever sensory-friendly/relaxed performance. Presented in partnership with Autism Speaks-Chicago, the Goodman welcomes families with members who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities.

Goodman Theatre and Candlelighters NYC partner for the launch of the theater's Tiny Tim Drive a charitable effort during A Christmas Carol that spotlights one service organization selected by the young performer portraying Tiny Tim. Candlelighters NYC from which 10-year-old actor Paris Strickland has personally benefited supports families who travel to New York City for pediatric cancer treatment.

Over four decades, 1.5 million people have delighted in Scrooge's unforgettable discovery of kindness, generosity and love. Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years. This year's spotlight falls on Paris Strickland, the adorable 10 year-old girl with a miraculous story of her own. CBS Sunday Morning chatted with the young actress and her Goodman company.

More Chicagoland families now have the opportunity to experience A Christmas Carol as Goodman Theatre offers its first-ever sensory-friendly/relaxed performance. Presented in partnership with Autism Speaks-Chicago, the Goodman welcomes families with members who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities.

Over four decades, 1.5 million people have delighted in the spectacular storytelling, glorious music and Scrooge's unforgettable discovery of kindness, generosity and love. Ten directors, eight Ebenezer Scrooges and 29 Tiny Tims later, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years, now through December 31. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Ten directors, eight Ebenezer Scrooges and 34 Tiny Tims later, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years as Chicago's long-standing holiday tradition, enjoyed by more than 1.5 million people, November 18 December 31.

Nearly 100 actors, crew, staff and audiences of A Christmas Carol have smiled, spoken and shared. Today, Goodman Theatre launches a multimedia showcase reflecting the impact the production has made over 40 years: the Humans of A Christmas Carol photo project, featuring the cast, crew and staff captured by famed Chicago-based photographer Frank Ishman; and A Christmas Carol All-Stars, stories from a variety of patrons from those who have attended nearly every year, to the couple married by Bob Cratchit, to the fan named for Tiny Tim.

American Theater Company (ATC) announces complete casting for Season 33 productions: Janine Nabers' world premiere of Welcome to Jesus, directed by Artistic Director Will Davis, October 26-December 3, 2017; Basil Kreimendahl's Chicago premiere of We're Gonna Be Okay, January 25-March 4, 2018, directed by Davis; and Carlos Murillo's world premiere of Diagram of a Paper Airplane, May 3-June 10, 2018, directed by Bonnie Metzgar.

Ten directors, eight Ebenezer Scrooges and 34 Tiny Tims later, Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years as Chicago's long-standing holiday tradition, enjoyed by more than 1.5 million people, November 18 December 31.

Museum of the Moving Image will present the New York theatrical premiere engagement of Princess Cyd, the 2017 BAMcinemaFest hit from Chicago-based writer-director Stephen Cone, starring Rebecca Spence, Jessie Pinnick, and Malic White. Concurrently, the Museum will present Talk About the Passion: Stephen Cone's First Act, an early career retrospective of Cone's work, highlighting features such as Henry Gamble's Birthday Party and The Wise Kids, all preceded by selections of the director's shorter work.