As shelter-in-place due to COVID-19 continues in Illinois, Goodman Theatre announces its intention to postpone the four remaining 2019/2020 Season productions to the upcoming 2020/2021 Season. These four shows include School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Lili-Anne Brown; Molly Sweeney by Brian Friel, directed by Robert Falls; American Mariachi by José Cruz González, directed by Henry Godinez; and the world-premiere musical adaptation of The Outsiders based on the novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s motion picture, book by Adam Rapp, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival (Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance) and Justin Levine, music supervision, arrangements and orchestration by Justin Levine, choreography by Lorin Latarro, directed by Liesl Tommy. The complete 2020/2021 Season and additional details to be announced.
“As difficult as this decision was to make, and as disappointing as it is for our artists who have invested so much in these productions, it’s undoubtedly the right one as we continue to prioritize health and safety during these challenging times,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls. “We remain committed to these four projects, and look forward to the day when we can welcome them back to our stages.”
Options for ticket holders include donating the value of their tickets to the “Intermission Campaign”—a new fundraising effort designed to support the artists and staff of the Goodman, in which donations are matched 1:1 by the Goodman Board of Trustees; a full credit that can be applied toward a future Goodman Membership or production in the 2020/2021 Season or 2021/2022 Season; or a refund to the original payment method (note: after June 19, credits will be automatically applied for those who have not responded). Patrons are encouraged to call the Box Office at 312.443.3800 (12 noon – 3pm daily) to indicate their preference. An online form is also available at GoodmanTheatre.org/MyTickets or ticket holders can e-mail BoxOffice@GoodmanTheatre.org.
“During this ‘intermission,’ we are grateful for our audiences’ patience, understanding and continued support,” said Executive Director Roche Schulfer. “Through the leadership of our Board of Trustees and generosity of those who have supported our Intermission Campaign, we remain committed to the hundreds of world-class artists and theater professionals on our staff as we continue to monitor and respond to this unprecedented situation.”
ONLINE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
As live productions and on-site events remain suspended, the Goodman offers the following digital engagement opportunities for audiences:
School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Lili-Anne Brown, streams online through May 31—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). Tickets ($20) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/StreamSchoolGirls. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (Major Corporate Sponsor), ITW and PwC LLP (Corporate Sponsor Partners).
2666, the stage adaptation of Roberto Bolaño’s internationally acclaimed epic novel adapted and directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley, is available online for free unlimited streaming. Originally produced February 6 – March 20, 2016, the production appears online through the generosity of the Roy Cockrum Foundation, and is presented by special arrangement with Actors Equity Association, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and United Scenic Artists. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Watch2666.
Live @ Five, a new free weekly live-online artist conversation series curated by Robert Falls, appears every Friday at 5pm (central) accessible at GoodmanTheatre.org/LiveAtFive. This Friday, May 15, playwright Jocelyn Bioh and director Lili-Anne Brown discuss the Chicago premiere production of School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play in a conversation moderated by Walter Director of Education and Engagement Willa J. Taylor. Featured guests in upcoming Live @ Five conversations include Tony, Olivier and Emmy Award-winning actor Nathan Lane (Friday, May 22); and Tony Award-winning Manilow Resident Director Mary Zimmerman (Friday, May 29).
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: 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.