Theatre with a side of life
GoodmanTheatre presents the Chicago premiere of the musical LIFE AFTER. Today is her birthday! And Alice (played by an outstanding Samantha Williams) plans to crush the school debate and then celebrate with friends. When her dad (played by a charismatic Paul Alexander Nolan) shows up unexpectedly to take her to dinner, they quarrel. She storms ...
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of GOOD NIGHT, OSCAR. It’s 1958. The Jack Parr Show is broadcasting from LA for Sweeps Week. Since ratings are everything, Jack has booked his friend Oscar Levant. Oscar is known for his piano virtuosity and his unfiltered humor. Oscar’s quick, self-deprecating and unscripted wit is the perfect draw for ...
Goodman Theatre presents CHRISTMAS CAROL. Larry Yando celebrates his 14th stint as Scrooge in Goodman’s 44th production of the Dickens’ holiday show. Yando owns this iconic miser role… in an almost unsettling way. He makes it impossible to hate the deplorable penny-pincher. His cruelty has biting humor. His curmudgeon stance has playful charm. Even before his ...
Goodman Theatre, in conjunction with Dallas Theater Center, presents AMERICAN MARIACHI. The mere mention of the word ‘Mariachi’ cues up a familiar, upbeat tune in my head. It conjures up images of strolling musicians bringing colorful tradition to otherwise indistinguishable Mexican restaurants. The performers, however momentarily at a table, become the focal point of the evening’s ...
Goodman Theatre presents SCHOOL GIRLS; OR, THE AFRICAN MEAN GIRLS PLAY. Playwright Joselyn Bioh’s story is a tribute to the best and worst parts of being a girl in high school. The ladies bond and giggle over boys, clothes and makeover parties. They also confront the clique pressures of trying to fit in, being cool and ...
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 ...