On the heels of a limited online run hailed as “a boon for theater-lovers worldwide” (TheRoot.com) and “a first-class production of a first-class play (in) an online run that I recommend very strongly; the kind of show for which webcasting was made” (Wall Street Journal), Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls directed by Lili-Anne Brown, is now extended and available for streaming through May 31. This three-and-a-half-week online extension of the Goodman’s Chicago premiere production was sparked by the popularity of its viewership: nearly 5,000 households worldwide streamed the production during its initial online run (April 2 – 26). In addition, the theater has made the online production available to educators for more than 1,600 students from 20 Chicago Public Schools who would have seen the performance as part of the Goodman’s free School Matinee Series. The Goodman’s digital recording of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play is available for streaming through May 31. Tickets ($20) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/StreamSchoolGirls. Live performances remain suspended as Illinois’ shelter-in-place order continues due to COVID-19. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Major Corporate Sponsor), ITW and PwC LLP (Corporate Sponsor Partners).
“We are delighted that this exuberant, incredibly special production has been received with such enthusiasm online. It’s a testament to the brilliance of the artists involved—Jocelyn’s words, Lili-Anne’s direction, our terrific company of actors—that this production has found such success on a medium for which it was not created,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “We are proud to extend its online life so more people can enjoy School Girls—and we look forward to the day when we can welcome this fantastic production home on stage for a live audience.”
Due to the unprecedented success of the School Girls pay-per-view streaming performance, the Goodman has upgraded its platform to improve user experience. After purchase, patrons will have immediate access to watch the performance within 24 hours on their personal computer or mobile device. Users will also have the ability to cast the video to their television with Google Chromecast or Apple Airplay. The video for the digital release of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, recorded during previews before performances were halted, was captured by the Goodman’s in-house Video Producer Cody Nieset and Videographer Alberto Mendoza, with assistance from Matt Hooks.
Biting and buoyant, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play earned critical and popular acclaim in its Off-Broadway extended run, hailed as an “uproarious comedy that also pulls at the heartstrings” (The Hollywood Reporter). As the reigning queen bee at Ghana’s most exclusive boarding school sets her sights on the Miss Universe pageant, a new student unexpectedly changes the game, forcing her to defend her reputation—and status. This “nasty-teen comedy, wonderfully refreshed and deepened” (The New York Times) spotlights the universal similarities—and glaring differences—of teenage girls around the globe.
The ensemble cast features Adia Alli (Gifty), Katherine Lee Bourné (Ama), Kyrie Courter (Ericka Boafo), Ashley Crowe (Nana), Ciera Dawn (Paulina Sarpong), Tiffany Renee Johnson (Mercy), Tania Richard (Headmistress Francis) and Lanise Antoine Shelley (Eloise Amponsah). The creative team includes Yu Shibagaki (Set Design), Samantha C. Jones (Costume Design), Jason Lynch (Lighting Design) and Justin Ellington (Sound Design). Lauren Port is the Casting Director. Alden Vasquez is the Production Stage Manager and Kimberly Ann McCann is the Stage Manager.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT AND DIRECTOR
Jocelyn Bioh (Playwright) is a Ghanaian-American writer and performer from New York City. Bioh’s plays include School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play (2016 Kilroys List, MCC Theater, Center Theatre Group); The Ladykiller’s Love Story, Happiness and Joe, Nollywood Dreams (2015 Kilroys List, Cherry Lane Mentor Project) and African Americans (2011 Southern Rep Ruby Prize Finalist, 2012 O’Neill Center Semi-Finalist, Howard University). Bioh’s acting credits include work on Broadway as well as productions with Soho Rep, The Public Theater, Playwrights Horizons, Classical Theater of Harlem, Wilma Theater and Signature Theater. Television writing credits include She’s Gotta Have It and Russian Doll.
Lili-Anne Brown (Director) returns to the Goodman, where she recently directed Lottery Day by Ike Holter. A native Chicagoan, Brown works as a director, actor and educator, and has performed in, directed and produced many award-winning shows, both local and regional. She is the former Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, where she focused programming on Chicago-premiere musicals and new play development with resident playwrights. Recent credits include The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre) and Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse). She is a member of SDC, AEA, and SAG-AFTRA, a graduate of Northwestern University and is represented by William Morris Endeavor.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fourth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.
Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. David W. Fox, Jr. is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Denise Stefan Ginascol is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.