Goodman Theatre Extends WONDERFUL TOWN, Starring Lauren Molina and Bri Sudia

"It's Love!" Goodman Theatre adds eight performances of Mary Zimmerman's revival of Wonderful Town, extending the show through October 23. Featuring a company of over 40 actors and musicians, the Goodman production of Leonard Bernstein's whimsical love letter to Manhattan marks the first major revival in more than 10 years.

The musical is based upon the hit Broadway play My Sister Eileen by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov and the autobiographical short stories by Ruth McKenney. Fields and Chodorov later collaborated with lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green to create Wonderful Town-the musical adaptation of the play, which features 20 Bernstein songs-including "Ohio," One Hundred Easy Ways," and "A Little Bit in Love."

For Wonderful Town tickets (starting at $25), call 312.443.3800, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/WonderfulTown or the box office (170 North Dearborn). Group savings are available for parties of 8 or more; call 312.443.3820 or email Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org.

Extension Week Performance Schedule: Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30pm; Wednesday, October 19 at 7:30pm; Thursday, October 20 at 7:30pm; Friday, October 21 at 8pm;Saturday, October 22 at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, October 23 at 2pm and 7:30pm.

Zimmerman's revival is the centerpiece of a week-long exploration of Leonard Bernstein's (1918-1990) career as a musical theater and film composer, classical composer, conductor, musician and educator. Free celebration events take place September 27 - October 2. For more celebration information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Bernstein. Abbott Fund is the Major Production Sponsor, and JP Morgan Chase is the Major Corporate Sponsor for Wonderful Town. Garrett Popcorn Shops is the Gourmet Popcorn Sponsor for the week-long Bernstein celebration.

Wonderful Town follows the adventure of sisters Eileen and Ruth, who leave Columbus, Ohio, in search of success in the Big Apple. Lauren Molina, who appeared as Cunegonde in Zimmerman's acclaimed production of Candide (2010), portrays Eileen, a beautiful actress and hopeful romantic; and breakout Chicago star Bri Sudia (Far From Heaven, Porchlight Music Theater) makes her Goodman debut as Ruth, an aspiring, romantically-challenged journalist. Joining Molina and Sudia in the 26-member cast are Karl Hamilton as RoBert Baker, the isolated editor of the Manhatter newspaper; Wade Elkins as Frank Lippencott and Steven Strafford as Chick Clark-two of Eileen's love prospects and residents of the bohemian 1950s town; and Jordan Brown (Wreck), Amy J. Carle (Mrs. Wade), Matt DeCaro (Appopolous), Christina Hall (Violet), James Earl Jones II (Speedy Valenti), Kristin Villanueva (Helen) and George Andrew Wolff (Lonigan). Ensemble members include Nathaniel Braga, Ariana Cappuccitti, Sherriese Hamilton, Aaron Holland, Mark David Kaplan, Tiffany Krause, Kent M. Lewis, Russell Mernagh, Jeff Parker, Jody Reynard, Todd Rhoades, Lainie Sakakura, Ian Saunders and Erica Stephan.

Music director Doug Peck and associate music director/conductor Ben Johnson lead the 18-member orchestra. Chicago native and choreographer Alex Sanchez, whose work has been described as "spectacular-wildly ingenious and playful from start to finish" (Chicago Sun-Times), makes his Goodman debut. The creative team also includes Todd Rosenthal (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), T.J. Gerckens (lights) and Ray Nardelli (sound).

Goodman Theatre has won international recognition for its artists, productions and programs, and is a major cultural, educational and economic pillar in Chicago. Founded in 1925 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) and represented today by descendant Albert Ivar Goodman, Goodman Theatre has garnered hundreds of awards for artistic achievement and community engagement, including: two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards (including "Outstanding Regional Theatre" in 1992), nearly 160 Joseph Jefferson Awards and more. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the Goodman's artistic priorities include new plays (more than 150 world or American premieres in the past 30 years), reimagined classics (including Falls' nationally and internationally celebrated productions of Death of a Salesman, Long Day's Journey into Night, King Lear and The Iceman Cometh, many in collaboration with actor Brian Dennehy), culturally specific work, musical theater (26 major productions in 20 years, including 10 world premieres) and international collaborations. Diversity and inclusion have been primary cornerstones of the Goodman's mission for 30 years; over the past decade, 68% of the Goodman's 35 world premieres were authored by women and/or playwrights of color, and the Goodman was the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson's "American Century Cycle." Each year, the Goodman's education and engagement programs serve thousands of students, teachers and life-long learners. In addition, for nearly four decades A Christmas Carol has led to the creation of a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago.

Goodman Theatre's leadership includes the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, ReGina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Joan Clifford is Chair of Goodman Theatre's Board of Trustees, Cynthia Klem Scholl is Women's Board President, and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

Visit the Goodman virtually at GoodmanTheatre.org, and on Twitter (@GoodmanTheatre), Facebook and Instagram.

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren

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