Theatre with a side of life
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 ...
Goodman Theatre presents WONDERFUL TOWN. This IS your grandma’s musical. It has old-fashion charm, zany life hurdles and a guaranteed happy ending. The wholesome adventure brings two sisters from a small town in Ohio to big, flashy New York City. Ruth (played by Bri Sudia) wants to be a writer. Eileen (played by Lauren Molina) wants ...
Goodman Theatre presents the World Premiere of WAR PAINT. Two iconic women play two iconic women. Patti LuPone (Helene Rubinstein) and Christine Ebersole (Elizabeth Arden) play the make-up mavericks who established the cosmetic industry. LuPone and Ebersole channel their inner diva to play the successful business rivals. It’s impossible to imagine this show cast any ...
Goodman Theatre presents the Chicago Premiere of SOUPS, STEWS, AND CASSEROLES. Playwright Rebecca Gilman sets her story in 1976 Wisconsin. A corporation has bought the local cheese factory. As union workers ban together to save jobs, one man seizes his opportunity to get ahead. Gilman captures the historic onset of industrial downsizing that led to economic ...
The Goodman Theatre presents THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW. Playwright Lorraine Hansberry is best known for her play turned movie Raisin in the Sun. The lesser known, THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN’S WINDOW was Hansberry’s final work before her untimely death at age 35. THE SIGN is set in Greenwich Village in 1964. In RAISIN, ...