Goodman Theatre's 2014 New Stages Festival Kicks Off Today

Casting is complete for the three developmental productions featured in 2014 New Stages, a free annual festival of new American plays that also includes three staged readings.

Approximately one third of the total plays developed in New Stages since its inception in 2004 have received full productions at the Goodman or at a leading U.S. theater, with the Goodman producing an average of one per year. The two current Goodman productions, Smokefall by Noah Haidle and The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, and the upcoming The Upstairs Concierge by Kristoffer Diaz, all emerged from New Stages, as well as: Buzzer by Tracey Scott Wilson, which appears at New York's The Public Theater in Spring 2015; The Long Red Road by Brett C. Leonard; and Lynn Nottage's 2009 Pulitzer Prize winner, Ruined.

New Stages expanded in 2011 to include fully-staged developmental productions -- an investment that provides writers two weeks of rehearsal, a design team and six public performances in repertory under a union contract.

New Stages runs today, October 29 - November 16 in the Owen Theatre free of charge, but reservations are required at 312.443.3800, GoodmanTheatre.org/NewStages or the box office (170 N. Dearborn). The Goodman invites theater industry professionals to New Stages over the November 14 - 16 weekend, including all six plays, a Friday night welcome reception, post-show "Lounge Nights" and a Saturday panel discussion. Theater professionals only should email JoePindelski@GoodmanTheatre.org to RSVP and learn about discounted rates at Kimpton, the Goodman's Preferred Hotel Partner.

"The heart of our new play development strategy at the Goodman is a deep commitment to a playwright over an extended period of time. From commission, to private workshop, to public staged reading to developmental production, we aim to provide the writer with every opportunity to make his/her play the best it can be before a full production, which is always the goal," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "Proudly, our efforts in New Stages have resulted in full productions of at least one new play from each of the festival's past 11 years-including our 2014 opening productions, The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig and Smokefall by Noah Haidle. It's the chance for Chicago to experience -- for free -- the latest work from some of America's best playwrights."

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Developmental Productions in New Stages 2014:

Feathers and Teeth by Charise Castro Smith | Directed by Henry Godinez | Appears in repertory, October 29 - November 15
Feathers and Teeth is a dark comedy that introduces an exotic creature into a fractured family, and features Jordan Brodess (Hugo), Olivia Cygan (Chris), Carolyn Hoerdemann (Ensemble), Melanie Keller (Carol) and Steve Key (Arthur). Jonathan L. Green is the dramaturg and Kimberly McCann is the stage manager. Feathers and Teeth was first seen as a staged reading in New Stages 2013.

The Magic Play by Andrew Hinderaker | Directed by Halena Kays | Appears in repertory, October 31 - November 15
The Magic Play is a fusion of magic and reality featuring Adam Poss (Diver), Brett Schneider (Magician) and Norm Woodel (Father). Neena Arndt is the dramaturg and Mara Filler is the stage manager. The play was co-commissioned by the Goodman and Roundabout Theatre Company (New York) and developed in the Goodman's 2013/2014 Playwrights Unit.

Carlyle by Thomas Bradshaw | Directed by Benjamin Kamine | Appears in repertory, November 2 - 16
An exploration of right-wing politics in America through the eyes of an African American Republican, Carlyle features James Earl Jones II in the titular role, as well as Bill Bannon (Clinton/Headmaster/Janice's Dad), McKenzie Chinn (Anita Hill/Shanequa), Janice O'Neill (Janice's Mom), Levenix Riddle (Omar/Tyrone/Trayvon), Tiffany Scott (Janice/Sarah), Nate Whelden (Mark/White Guy/George Zimmerman) and Cedric Young (Carlyle's Dad/Clarence Thomas). Tanya Palmer is the dramaturg, Ariel Zetlina is the Literary Assistant and Kimberly Osgood is the stage manager for Carlyle.

The design team for all three developmental productions includes Kevin Depinet (sets), Christine Pascual (costumes), Jesse Klug (lights) and Mikhail Fiksel (sound). Casting was done by Adam Belcuore.

Three staged readings complement the developmental productions over the course of one weekend, November 14 - 16, including: Women Laughing Alone with Salad by Sheila Callaghan, an examination of gender stereotyping in a world ruled by social media and appearance; Acquainted with the Night by Keith Reddin, a consideration of personal and global devastation; and Ugly by Tracey Scott Wilson, a look at how the feminist movement has evolved and how little has changed.

Artist Encounter: New Stages | November 2 at 5pm | Chicago Cultural Center | FREE
Meet the artists of the New Stages Festival at a special expanded Artist Encounter event, featuring playwright Thomas Bradshaw and director Benjamin Kamine (Carlyle), playwright Charise Castro Smith and director Henry Godinez (Feathers and Teeth), and playwright Andrew Hinderaker and director Halena Kays (The Magic Play) in a discussion moderated by Director of New Play Development Tanya Palmer.

The Goodman's 2014/2015 Season features nine productions on its two stages -- six in the 856-seat Albert Theatre and three in the 400-seat flexible Owen Theatre, plus the annual New Stages Festival that includes additional developmental productions, and partner productions with The Second City and Albany Park Theater Project. The season includes The World of Extreme Happiness by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, directed by Eric Ting, a world premiere co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club (through October 12, in the Owen); Smokefall by Noah Haidle, directed by Anne Kauffman, an encore of the world-premiere Goodman commission (through October 26, in the Albert); the annual New Stages Festival, including an "Industry Weekend" (October 29 - November 16, in the Owen); the 37th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Henry Wishcamper (November 15 - December 28, in the Albert); The Second City's Twist Your Dickens, Or Scrooge You by Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort (December 5 - 28, in the Owen); Rapture, Blister, Burn by Gina Gionfriddo, directed by Kimberly Senior, a Chicago premiere (January 17 - February 22, 2015 in the Albert); Two Trains Running by August Wilson, directed by Chuck Smith, in conjunction with a citywide celebration of August Wilson (March 7 - April 12, 2015 in the Albert); The Upstairs Concierge by Kristoffer Diaz, directed by KJ Sanchez, a world premiere co-commission with Teatro Vista (March 28 - April 26, 2015 in the Owen); The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, directed by Henry Wishcamper (May 2 - June 7, 2015 in the Albert); stop. reset. written and directed by Regina Taylor, a Chicago premiere (May 23 - June 21, 2015 in the Owen); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang, directed by Steve Scott, a Chicago premiere (June 20 - July 26, 2015 in the Albert), and a production still to be announced with the Albany Park Theater Project.

Now celebrating its 90th year as Chicago's flagship theater, Goodman Theatre is an artistic and community institution dedicated to the art of theater and to civic engagement in the issues of the contemporary world. The Goodman has transformed over the past 35 years into a world class theater and premier Chicago cultural institution distinguished by the quality and scope of its programming and its culturally and aesthetically diverse creative leadership; artistic priorities include new plays, reimagined classics, culturally specific works, musical theater and international collaborations. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, achievements include the Goodman's state-of-the-art two-theater complex in the heart of the downtown Theatre District. Over the past three decades, the Goodman has generated more than 150 world or American premieres, and nearly 30 new-work commissions. Joan Clifford is Chairman of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees, Swati Mehta is Women's Board President and Gordon C.C. Liao is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

"A mainstay of Chicago and beyond" (Chicago Sun-Times), the Goodman is internationally acclaimed for its "fresh work of magnitude and ambition (and) bold, risky theatrical choices" (Chicago Tribune). From new plays to "first- class revivals" (The New York Times), the Goodman has earned numerous awards for its productions: two Pulitzer Prizes; 22 Tony Awards, including Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992); and nearly 160 Joseph Jefferson Awards.

The 90th Anniversary "Season to Celebrate" programming is rooted in the same spirit that launched the Goodman in 1925 -- an array of dramatic fare, from classics to noteworthy contemporary works, innovative and often controversial, embracing genres from farces to searing social dramas -- honoring the theater's past and envisioning its future. The nine-play season begins with an All-New Fall of works fostered and developed in the Goodman's new play development programs followed by an "August Wilson Celebration" in spring 2015, the 10th anniversary of the playwright's death and the 70th anniversary of his birth. This city-wide Celebration honors the longstanding collaboration between Wilson and the Goodman, the first theater in the world to produce all 10 works in his "20th Century Cycle."

Visit the special anniversary website, GoodmanTheatre.org/90, to see famous faces who've worked at the theater, browse photos of classic productions and read interviews with noted artists.

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