Matthew Morrison Set For Goodman Theatre Gala, 5/21

Screen and stage heartthrob Matthew Morrison takes a break from his Glee television classroom to headline Goodman Theatre's May 21 Gala to celebrate "One Enchanted Decade" on Dearborn Street. The Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony-Award nominated "triple-threat" (LA Times) has captivated audiences of all ages. "Blessed with a boyish innocence and beautiful voice" (Playbill), Morrison lights up both the stage and small screen with his mesmerizing talent. The black-tie gala event begins with a cocktail reception at the Goodman (170 N. Dearborn), followed by Morrison's performance in the 856-seat Albert Theatre. The festivities continue as guests shuttle to The Fairmont Hotel (200 N. Columbus) for an elegant dinner and dancing to the tunes of the Al Sofia Orchestra. All proceeds benefit the Goodman's Educational and Community Engagement programs.

Tables are available at the $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 levels; individual tickets start at $500. For tickets and information about the Gala, call 312.443.3811 ext. 586.

"We are so thrilled to have Mr. Morrison help celebrate our "One Enchanted Decade" Gala," said Goodman Woman's Board President Joan Clifford. "This event is so special to our entire Goodman family. Not only will the entertainment be superb but we are raising money for our Education and Community Engagement programs as well."  

Goodman Women's Board members Margaret Janus and Swati Mehta are the Gala Co-Chairs. Gala Sponsor Partners include Sharon and Charles Angell, The Boeing Company, Joan and Bob Clifford, Alice and John Sabl, Patricia Cox, Ellen and Paul Gignilliat, Harris Bank, Sondra and Denis Healy/Turtle Wax, Inc., Wayne and Margie Janus, JPMorgan Chase & Co. Swati and Siddharth Mehta, Carol Prins and John Hart. Gala benefactors include Aon and UBS. Patricia Cox is Chairman of the Goodman Theatre Board of Trustees and Joan Clifford is Women's Board President.

"One of the smartest young actors in the business, Matthew Morrison also has that classic manner about him, in many ways reminiscent of a young Marlon Brando, James Dean or Montgomery Cliff. And, even more than those beloved icons, he can dance and sing." (BroadwayWorld.com) Matthew Morrison is no stranger to musical theater, vocal performance and dance, which he studied at New York University's renowned Tisch School of the Arts.  His career began when he made his musical theater debut on Broadway in the musical version of Footloose, followed by a revival of The Rocky Horror Show.  His big break came when he landed the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of John Waters' Hairspray for which he received an Outer Critics Awards Nomination. He received rave reviews for his Tony-nominated performance as Fabrizio in Adam Guettel's The Light in the Piazza, and for his performance as Lieutenant Cable in Lincoln Center's production of South Pacific.  He is best known for his Golden Globe, Emmy and People's Choice nominated role as Will Schuester on the hit Fox television show Glee.  He has also received a Satellite Award for this role.

About the Goodman's Women's Board and Education and Outreach Programs

Since its inception in 1978, Goodman Theatre's Women's Board-currently under leadership of President Joan Clifford-has been a major force in raising funds for the theater through special events and projects. Members serve on committees for the annual Goodman Theatre Gala, the Goodman Auction, the Women's Board Annual Appeal and the Community Arts and Education Committee. The Board also provides support for Capital and Endowment initiatives, both personally and through solicitations. Monies raised support all aspects of the theater-including the sponsorship of one production per season. A major initiative has been increased support for the Goodman's productions and numerous educational community programs, which offer myriad opportunities for students and audience members of all ages. Through programs such as the Student Subscription Series for Chicago Public Schools, General Theater Studies summer program, the Cindy Bandle Young Critics theater criticism program for young women, CONTEXT: Discourse and Discussion community forums, and a theater-wide Internship Program, the Goodman and the Women's Board strive to engage audiences in deeper explorations of the work on the Goodman's stages.

Currently on stage is the world premiere of ReGina Taylor's The Trinity River Plays (through February 20, 2011) in the Albert and Mary, a world premiere Goodman commission by Thomas Bradshaw (through March 6, 2011).

Upcoming productions in the 2010/2011 Season include: God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza (March 5 - April 10); El Nogalar  by Tanya Saracho (world premiere, March 26 - April 24); Stage Kiss by Sarah Ruhl (world premiere Goodman commission, April 30 - June 5); and Chinglish by David Henry Hwang (world premiere, June 18 - July 24).

Goodman Theatre, "the leading regional theater in the nation's most important theater city" (Time), is a major cultural, educational and economic pillar in Chicago, generating nearly $300 million in economic impact over the past decade in its state-of-the-art two-theater complex on North Dearborn Street. Founded in 1925 and currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls, "Chicago's most essential director" (Chicago Tribune), and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, Chicago's oldest and largest not-for-profit resident theater has experienced unprecedented success over the past 10 years in its new downtown facility, welcoming nearly two million patrons to productions and events-including 10 festivals celebrating playwrights such as David Mamet, August Wilson and Horton Foote, as well as the biennial Latino Theatre Festival-serving 30 percent more students through its Education and Community Engagement programs (including the FREE Student Subscription Series and other interactive programs) and employing more than 3,000 artists and theater professionals. The Goodman has earned more than 90 awards for hundreds of productions, including the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined by Lynn Nottage-one of 25 new-work Goodman commissions in the last decade. The Chairman of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees is Patricia Cox and Joan Clifford is President of the Women's Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews at ExploreTheGoodman.org; catch the latest news from rehearsal on the Goodman's Blog, Goodman-Theatre.Blogspot.com/; Friend us at Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre; Follow us at Twitter.com/GoodmanTheatre and peek behind-the-scenes at YouTube.com/TheGoodmanTheatre.

For more information call Goodman Theatre's Publicity Office: 312.443.5151.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos