Theatre with a side of life
Goodman Theatre presents BERNHARDT/HAMLET. It is 1899. Legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt is producing “Hamlet” and casting herself in the lead. Playwright Theresa Rebeck imagines the complications of this moment in theatre history. Bernhardt is 55, struggling financially and forcing her married lover to adapt Shakespeare’s play. The real life story intrigues. A turn-of-the-century woman refusing to ...
Goodman Theatre presents THE MUSIC MAN. I was giddy about this one. I grew up watching the screen version of this musical starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I know all the songs by heart! Meredith Wilson’s score is distinct and infectious. The iconic “(Ya got) Trouble” and “Seventy-Six Trombones” mingle along with heart-felt ballads, plucky ...
Reviewed by Jay Worthington Goodman Theatre presents SWEAT. The play Sweat, playing now at the Goodman, won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017. The play portrays a meeting between a parole officer and two ex-convicts, and three women who were childhood friends and had worked in the same factory. The action takes place in a fictional bar ...
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of HOW TO CATCH CREATION. This CREATION captivates upon arrival and enthralls through the ending! Set Designer Todd Rosenthal masterfully uses not one but two revolving platforms to provide multiple locations. Each room, on the spinning stages, is distinctly designed to reflect the different personalities. A stylish condo. An art professor’s ...
Goodman Theatre presents SAINT NICHOLAS. Playwright Conor McPherson takes us on a journey of self-discovery. The monologue play is a theatre critic reflecting on his life. The critic starts out by describing his disdain for theatre. He lets us know he hates most of what he sees. He brags about making a lot of money from ...
Goodman Theatre presents SANTALAND DIARIES. I’m a huge fan of David Sedaris. He is an exceptional satirist. His storytelling is vivid and personal. He looks at ordinary things in an extraordinary manner. And he is hilarious! In SANTALAND DIARIES, Sedaris chronicles his work experience as an elf at Macy’s. He takes us behind the scenes to the ...
Goodman Theatre presents the world premiere of David Cale’s WE’RE ONLY ALIVE FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. David Cale returns to the Goodman Theatre after a ten year absence to launch his newest one man show. Cale has debuted six of his singing-songwriting-acting solo shows at the Goodman. WE’RE ONLY ALIVE is my first experience ...
Goodman Theatre presents A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. Playwright Arthur Miller sets his love triangles on the 1950s Brooklyn docks. Eddie (played by the outstanding Ian Bedford) is overly-protective of his niece Catherine (played by Catherine Combs). When she starts dating Rodolpho (played by Daniel Abeles), Eddie is livid. His wife Beatrice (played by Andrus Nichols) ...
Goodman Theatre presents UNCLE VANYA. Scenic Designer Todd Rosenthal solidly sets the tone of past grandeur. His estate has well-worn elegance. The walls have a weathered appearance, yet, they create a solid fortress. The height suggesting old money contrasts dramatically with the mismatched furniture. With or without the ensemble, this room is bursting with character. Rosenthal ...
The Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of THE MAGIC PLAY. The press release describes this show as ‘part magic show, part play.’ And that combination gives it an authentic feel. It certainly starts out like a magic show. The charismatic Brett Schneider (magician) takes the stage and immediately amazes the audience with card tricks. Schneider ...