ACT OUT SAVE THE DATES: Buzzer at Goodman

LEE STARK, SHANE KENYON AND ERIC LYNCH CAST IN THE CHICAGO PREMIERE OF BUZZER BY TRACEY SCOTT WILSON, DIRECTED BY JESSICA THEBUS (FEBRUARY 8 – MARCH 9); TICKETS ON SALE JANUARY 3 Gentrification comes to a head in Tracey Scott Wilson’s Buzzer—a “taut, well-structured work about the difficulty of moving past history” (Minneapolis Star Tribune), making its Chicago premiere at Goodman Theatre, directed by Jessica Thebus. Three people encounter “the complexities of human relationships in a world where race doesn’t mean what it used to, but where it’s still enormously relevant” (Twin Cities Daily Planet): Eric Lynch plays Jackson, a young, successful African American attorney returning to the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of his youth. Lee Stark plays Suzy, his white girlfriend who teaches at a tough inner city high school, and Shane Kenyon plays Don, his white, troubled best friend who finds himself at home among the neighborhood’s rougher edges.  The design team includes John Culbert (lights), Mikhail Fiksel (sound), Birgit Rattenborg Wise (costumes) and Walt Spangler (sets).   Buzzer runs February 8 – March 9 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Tuesday, February 18). Tickets ($10 - $40; subject to change) go on sale to the general public Friday, January 3 and are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Buzzer, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Bank of America is the Owen Season Sponsor and the Goodman Scenemakers Board is a Sponsor Partner.  “This is a new play about America,” said playwright Tracey Scott Wilson, whose previous Goodman Theatre credits include a reading of Buzzer in the 2012 New Stages festival, The Good Negro and The Story. “As our cultural and political landscapes change, we’re forced to confront issues of race, class, privilege and belonging—we see complications arise in this play because of who each person is in respect to the neighborhood and their openness to change.” Added director Jessica Thebus: “Tracey is an extremely passionate and articulate playwright, and I’m excited to be working with her for the first time. I’m also thrilled to be back at the Goodman, where I’ve done two of my favorite projects—Stage Kiss and The Clean House—and to be working in the Owen, which is one of my favorite theaters in the country.”