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THE NACIREMA SOCIETY
STARTS TOMORROW, KICKS OFF CITYWIDE “PEARL CLEAGE FESTIVAL”
AND LAUNCHES SUSAN V. BOOTH’S FIRST SEASON AS
GOODMAN THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
***LILI-ANNE BROWN DIRECTS THE CHICAGO-PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF MS. CLEAGE’S ROMANTIC COMEDY***
I'll be out to review at the press opening for The Nacirema Society on September 26th, so check back soon for my full review. I'm also eager to review Remy Bumppo Theatre Company's Blues for an Alabama Sky on September 18th at Theater Wit.
Artistic Director Susan V. Booth launches her first curated Goodman Theatre season with Pearl Cleage’s The Nacirema Society. The season-opening production directed by Lili-Anne Brown kicks off the month-long celebration honoring the prolific playwright’s distinguished career, which spans 40 years and more than 30 plays, novels, poems and essays. The festival, conceived by Booth, curated by Goodman Theatre BOLD Artistic Producer Malkia Stampley and produced in partnership with Chicago’s famed Off-Loop companies, features the following 10 works by Ms. Cleage:
The Nacirema Society (Goodman Theatre)
Blues for an Alabama Sky (Remy Bumppo Theatre Company)
Mad at Miles featuring music by Chicago West Community Music Center (Black Ensemble Theater)
Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous (Congo Square Theatre)
A Song for Coretta (Definition Theatre)
Chain (eta Creative Arts Foundation)
Bourbon at the Border (MPAACT)
Letters, Potions and Promises (Remy Bumppo and American Writers Museum)
Pointing at the Moon (Goodman Theatre)
What I Learned in Paris (Goodman Theatre)
Pearl Cleage is currently the Distinguished Artist in Residence at Atlanta’s Tony Award winning Alliance Theatre. Her new play Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, had its world premiere as a part of the theatre’s 50th anniversary season in 2019 and recently completed a successful run at Hartford Stage. Both productions were directed by Susan V. Booth. Her other plays premiered at the Alliance include What I Learned in Paris, Blues for an Alabama Sky, and Flyin’ West. Cleage’s latest play Something Moving: A Meditation on Maynard was commissioned by Ford Theatre’s Lincoln Legacy Project and will premiere at Ford’s Theatre this fall—September 22 – October 15. Her first of eight novels, What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day, was an Oprah Book Club pick and spent nine weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Ms. Cleage currently serves as Atlanta’s first Poet Laureate.
THE 2023 “PEARL CLEAGE FESTIVAL”
PRODUCTIONS, READINGS, WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND CONVERSATIONS
SEPTEMBER 14 – OCTOBER 15, 2023
For tickets and more information about each event, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Pearl
PRODUCTIONS
Blues for an Alabama Sky
Directed by Mikael Burke
Through October 15
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company at Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont)
It’s Summer 1930 in Harlem, and jazz singer Angel has just been fired from The Cotton Club. As she hopes for her next big break, her flatmate friends pursue their own dreams amidst daily realities: costume designer Guy imagines sewing dresses in Paris while Delia brings family planning centers to the community. But sparks fly when Angel encounters Alabama-transplant Leland, tossing all of their aspirations into jeopardy. The Harlem Renaissance is the backdrop of Pearl Cleage’s poignant drama, and though “the Great Depression has crashed the party, the creative spirit is not easily quelled” (Los Angeles Times).
The Nacirema Society
Directed by Lili-Anne Brown
September 16 - October 15
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
It’s 1964 Montgomery, Alabama, and the Nacirema Society prepares for its annual introduction of six elegant African-American debutantes to a world of prosperity, privilege and social responsibility. This centennial year, the Society’s grande dame, Grace Dunbar, will have nothing less than perfection for her granddaughter Gracie’s debut. And with young love brewing, old family skeletons rattling, national media attention abounding and a blackmail plot bubbling…what would dare go awry? The Goodman is grateful for the support of JP Morgan Chase & Co. (Lead Corporate Sponsor) and Allstate (Major Corporate Sponsor). For images, bios and additional information about the artists, visit the Play Detail Page
STAGED READINGS
Bourbon at the Border
Directed by Lauren Wells-Mann
September 19 at 7:30pm
MPAACT at the Greenhouse Theater Center (2257 N. Lincoln)
When May and Charles join hundreds of Americans in a massive voter registration drive in 1964 Mississippi, they could not imagine the violence that would meet them there. Years later, they are still searching for healing after that "Freedom Summer." Bourbon at the Border remembers the unsung heroes of the civil rights movement and honors the sacrifice and price they paid.
Pointing at the Moon
Directed by Lydia R. Diamond
September 28 at 7pm
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Jenny Anderson is a well-respected 50-something scholar, literary critic and tenured college faculty member who finds herself reluctantly drawn into the swirl of change post-2016 American Presidential election. Despite best intentions to stay above the fray, she suddenly finds everything she’s worked for threatened by efforts to censor and suppress creative work—including her own. Late one night, a young activist shows up on her doorstep with an urgent request for help, and Jenny must choose between her own comfort and her deeply held beliefs about the nature of freedom.
Mad at Miles
Directed by Daryl D. Brooks
October 2 at 6pm (cocktail reception, cash bar) 7pm performance featuring Chicago West Community Music Center
Black Ensemble Theater (4450 N. Clark)
Distinguished performer, playwright and producer Jackie Taylor stars in a reading of Cleage’s Mad at Miles—a moving choreopoem that gives voice to the difficult subject of women abuse and empowerment—with appearances from other Chicago spoken-word artists and featuring music by Chicago West Community Music Center, led by Darlene Sandifer and Howard Sandifer.
Chain
Reading + Art Exhibit
Directed by Ted Williams III
October 6 at 7pm
eta Creative Arts Foundation (7558 S. South Chicago)
Rosa Jenkins is 16-years-old, foul-mouthed and addicted to crack–and currently chained to a radiator, in a desperate intervention attempt from her parents. Inspired by real-life events, Chain presents the realities of addiction from a clear-eyed, unsentimental and startlingly humorous perspective. Following the staged reading, stay for a discussion and the opportunity to browse artwork in the gallery. Content Advisory: Adult language and frank descriptions of drug abuse, sexual content and abusive relationships between parents and children.
Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous
Directed by Ericka Ratcliff
October 8 at 2pm
Congo Square Theatre (Location TBA)
Following a 25-year self-imposed exile, actress Anna Campbell returns to the U.S. when her ground-breaking Black feminist theater piece—monologues performed in the nude—is announced for a major revival. But what promises to be a triumphant homecoming goes sideways when the diva discovers that a younger actress (and adult entertainer) has been cast to recreate her legendary performance. In this bold and funny story of ambition, post-feminism and who has a right to tell our stories, two women of different generations must confront assumptions about each other, and themselves, in time for opening night.
A Song for Coretta
Directed by Malkia Stampley
Definition Theatre (Location TBA)
It’s close to midnight as five determined, disparate Black women at the end of a long line of mourners at Ebenezer Baptist Church share stories while waiting to pay respect to the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. An inspiring tribute to Coretta Scott King (1927 - 2006), “Pearl Cleage’s lovely, image-soaked testament to the civil rights icon brims with wit, personality and life-affirming energy” (Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
What I Learned in Paris
Directed by TaRon Patton
October 14 at 6pm
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Pearl Cleage’s funny and insightful tangled web of romantic intrigue is set against the backdrop of Maynard Jackson’s historic win as Atlanta’s first African American mayor. Lawyer J.P. Madison is riding high after his hard-fought election victory, celebrating with his new wife, his stalwart campaign manager and his junior partner. But when his ex-wife sweeps back into town, bringing with her the temptation of knowledge from far-flung corners of the world, each character must confront their expectations, obligations and human emotions—with the pull and tug that destiny has on our lives.
WORKSHOPS, EVENTS AND CONVERSATIONS
“Chicago’s Black Jewels”
Pre-Show Affinity Space and Reception
September 16 at 6pm
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Pearl Cleage’s body of work offers roles and opportunities of all genres for Black actresses. Hosted by artist Kelcey Anya, the Goodman invites these talented women–Chicago’s jewels–to gather, uplift and celebrate prior to the first preview of The Nacirema Society. Light appetizers and drinks will be served. The reception is free with RSVP (space is limited) and discounted $30 tickets to the performance are available for purchase.
Divine 9 Night
Pre-Show Reception and Performance
September 23 at 6pm followed by The Nacirema Society at 7:30pm
$50 (Reception and Performance)
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Celebrate the dynamic culture and legacy of the Black Greek Letter Organizations of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, collectively known as The Divine 9. Represent in your organization’s apparel while you mingle with other sororities and fraternities at a pre-show reception, including complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by the performance.
Behind the Curtain: The Nacirema Society
Presented by Goodman Theatre
September 24 at 5pm
Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Join the creative forces behind The Nacirema Society for a lively, wide-ranging discussion about this Chicago-premiere production’s journey to the stage, and the enduring relevance of Pearl Cleage’s work in our city and beyond.
In Conversation with Pearl Cleage: Playwright, Poet, and Author
A Zoom Discussion
Presented by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company and American Writers Museum
September 26 at 6pm
In partnership with the American Writers Museum, Remy Bumppo hosts a conversation with Pearl Cleage over Zoom. Artistic Director Marti Lyons sits down with Ms. Cleage for a chat about her career and impact.
Between the Lines
A lecture presented by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
October 1 at 1:30pm
Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont)
Dr. Martine Kei Green-Rogers, dramaturg for Blues for an Alabama Sky, presents a lecture on the themes related to the play, and participates in a talkback with artists and audience following the performance.
Letters, Potions and Promises
A Writing Workshop presented by Goodman Theatre and Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
Led by Dr. Martine Kei Green-Rogers and Lachrisa Grandberry
October 3 and 7 at 6pm at Remy Bumppo (3759 N. Ravenswood)
October 10 at 6pm at Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn)
Twelve early-career and emerging women and femme BIPOC writers are invited to a three-day deep-dive into the work of Pearl Cleage, with each day led by a different facilitator. Apply now to join this affinity space for writers of all disciplines to find community, inspiration and discover new ways of approaching work through the lineage of a Black American writer.
From Delia’s Clinic to CARLA: The Fight for Reproductive Rights
A panel discussion presented by Remy Bumppo Theatre Company
October 14 at 5pm
Theater Wit (1229 W. Belmont)
Journalist Natalie Moore and members of the Chicago Abortion Fund join Remy Bumppo Creative Producer Christina Casano for a discussion, delving into Blues for an Alabama Sky, the history of reproductive rights and the work currently being done in Illinois and beyond.
ABOUT THE PEARL CLEAGE FESTIVAL PARTNERS
As one of the most unique Chicago museums downtown, the American Writers Museum’s mission is to celebrate the enduring influence of American writers on our history, identity, culture, and daily lives. As the only museum devoted to American writers and their works, AWM connects visitors with their favorite authors and writings from more than five centuries, while inspiring the discovery of new works of every type – poetry, lyrics, speeches, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism, and more.
Black Ensemble Theater (BET), founded in 1976 by the phenomenal actress, producer, and playwright Jackie Taylor, has grown from a small community arts organization to a vibrant nationally and internationally renowned arts institution. A leader and innovator in the African-American and mainstream arts communities, Black Ensemble Theater is recognized as one of the most diverse theaters in the country, producing excellent musical theater.
Chicago West Community Music Center, a 501c3 non-profit organization located in East Garfield Park, provides music education and performance opportunities to children and families in underserved communities in Chicago and the Western Suburbs. The mission of CWCMC is to "Enhance Lives and Community Through Music." Our goal is to reduce the music related achievement gaps between minority and non-minority students and between economically disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers.
Congo Square Theatre Company is an ensemble dedicated to producing transformative work rooted in the African Diaspora. Congo Square is a haven for artists of color to challenge and redefine the theatrical canon by amplifying and creating stories that reflect the reach and complexities of Black Culture and is one of only two African American Actors’ Equity theater companies in Chicago. Founded in 1999 with a mission to provide a platform for Black artists to present work that exemplified the majesty, diversity, and intersectionality of stories from the African Diaspora, Congo Square’s guiding principles are radical generosity, radical community, and radical expansion.
eta Creative Arts Foundation was incorporated in 1971 as a non-profit, tax exempt organization to provide training and performance opportunities for youth and adults. In the past 52 years, eta has evolved to become a recognized cultural treasure not only in the city of Chicago, but nationally and internationally. The organization has a commitment to the production of new works that “tell our story” in the first voice. eta houses a 200-seat theater, art studio and event space with stage. Our annual programming features five plays, 8-week Summer Arts camp for the youth, Multiple pop-up workshops, acting, dance and playwriting classes for young adults and a host of community events and performances.
The Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theater (MPAACT) is a professional, not-for-profit theater association founded in 1990. Our mission is to develop, nurture, and sustain original Afrikan Centered Theater (ACT) as a multi-disciplinary art form of American Theater. ACT is a genre of artistic expression grounded in the many cultures and traditions of the Afrikan continent and its diaspora. With a vision focused upon new works and collaborative art, MPAACT shall produce and educate with the goal of bringing forth an understanding and appreciation of Afrikan Centered Theater and its inter-related disciplines.
Definition Theatre celebrates stories created with, inspired by, and intended for people and communities of color. Through the act of making, Definition expands perspectives, stewards resources, and bridges the possibility found at the intersection of art, innovation, and education.
Remy Bumppo Theatre Company expands and enriches our community’s view of the world, and our own, by producing both the great plays of the past and the important plays of today. Our critically and publicly respected reputation is built on our consistent, high-quality presentations of the works of seminal playwrights, staged intimately and with the focus on expressing complex ideas in a clear, entertaining and moving manner. An ensemble theatre founded in 1996, we author a more humane culture as we listen to, and seek to understand, the voices, the ideas, and the stories of one another.
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 Susan V. Booth and Executive Director/CEO 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 earner 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 fifth 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.
Using the tools of theatrical practice, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand and empathize with 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 for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
Goodman Theatre was built on the traditional homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. We recognize that many other Nations consider the area we now call Chicago as their traditional homeland—including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo and Mascouten—and remains home to many Native peoples today. While we believe that our city’s vast diversity should be reflected on the stages of its largest theater, we acknowledge that our efforts have largely overlooked the voices of our Native peoples. This omission has added to the isolation, erasure and harm that Indigenous communities have faced for hundreds of years. We have begun a more deliberate journey towards celebrating Native American stories and welcoming Indigenous communities.
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 on the new Goodman center in 2000. Julie Danis is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Lorrayne Weiss is Women’s Board President and Kelli Garcia is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.
