OPENING: ROE and Graveyard Shift at Goodman Theatre

ChiIL Live Shows on our radar

LISA LOOMER’S ROE (CHICAGO PREMIERE) AND KORDE ARRINGTON TUTTLE’S GRAVEYARD SHIFT (WORLD PREMIERE)

***TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR BOTH PRODUCTIONS***

I'll be out for opening night, so check back soon for my full reviews. I adore director, Vanessa Stalling's work, and I'm particularly eager to catch the all too timely, ROE.

Goodman Theatre continues its 2019/2020 Season this winter with two new plays. A Chicago premiere, Roe by Lisa Loomer, directed by former Goodman Maggio Fellow Vanessa Stalling (The Wolves), illuminates the complex young women behind the landmark trial of Roe v. Wade. graveyard shift by korde arrington tuttle, directed by Danya Taymor, is a world premiere that was developed in the Goodman’s New Stages Festival last year. Roe appears January 18 – February 23 in the 856-seat Albert Theatre; tickets are $20 - $70 (subject to change). graveyard shift appears February 7 – March 8 in the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre; tickets are $15 – $45 (subject to change). Visit GoodmanTheatre.org, call 312.443.3800 or purchase at the Goodman Theatre box office (170 N. Dearborn).

Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of its sponsors of Roe, including Goodman Theatre Women’s Board and the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation (Major Production Sponsors), Winston and Strawn LLP (Major Corporate Sponsor) and WBEZ 91.5 (Media Sponsor).

Roe
By Lisa Loomer
Directed by Vanessa Stalling

"You didn’t give a damn about Roe the person—all you cared about was Roe the case!”-Norma, Act II, Scene II. Conceived in a pizza parlor and argued in the highest court in the land, 1973’s Roe v. Wade legalized abortion—and is hotly debated still today. The complex young women behind the trial—attorney Sarah Weddington and plaintiff Norma McCorvey (“Jane Roe”)—embark upon separate journeys that mirror the current polarization over the landmark decision. “Full of nuance and complexity" (NPR), Roe illuminates the heart and passion that each side has for their cause.

Kayla Carter………………………………………………Roxy
Jazmín Corona……………………………...……………Ensemble
Julia Dale…………….……………………………………Melissa/Emily
Stephanie Diaz……………………………………………Ofelia/Connie
Kirsten Fitzgerald…………………………………………Molly/Mary/Ensemble
Raymond Fox…………………………..…………………McCluskey/Ensemble
Christina Hall……………………………………...………Sarah Weddington
Carolyn Hoerdemann………………….…………………Ensemble
Maura Kidwell……………….......................……………Helen/Ronda/Ensemble
Ryan Kitley………………………..………………………Flip/Ensemble
John Lister………………..………………………………Justice Blackmun/Ensemble
Kate Middleton……………………...……………………Norma McCorvey
Eliza Stoughton………………………………….……….Ensemble
Jessica Dean Turner…………………............…………Barbara/Aileen/Ensemble
Meg Warner………………………………………………Judy/Linda Coffee/Ensemble

The creative team includes Collette Pollard (Set Design), Jessica Pabst (Costume Design), Keith Parham (Lighting Design) and Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design). Briana J. Fahey is the Production Stage Manager.



graveyard shift
By korde arrington tuttle
Directed by Danya Taymor

Janelle, poised to reap the fruits of her labor, relocates from Illinois to Texas in order to give love a chance. Meanwhile, a small-town police officer wrestles with the harsh realities of change. When their worlds collide, both are forced to confront the consequences of an imbalance of power. Inspired by the legacy of Sandra Bland, graveyard shift is an unflinching, open-hearted experience rooted in navigating a world full of fear.

Keith D. Gallagher…………………………………………Brian
Rae Gray…………….………………………………………Elise
Aneisa Hicks…………………………………………………Janelle
Lia Mortensen………………………………………………Trish
Kyle Vincent Terry…………………………………………Kane
The creative team includes Kristen Robinson (Set Design), Montana Levi Blanco (Costume Design), Marcus Doshi (Lighting Design) and Richard Woodbury (Sound Design). Rebekah Heusel is the Production Stage Manager.


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.