Photo Flash: First Look at Goodman Theatre's SMOKEFALL Encore Production

Exactly one year after its world premiere in the Owen Theatre, Noah Haidle's Smokefall, directed by Anne Kauffman, makes its Albert Theatre debut-becoming the third production in Goodman Theatre's 90-year history to transfer from the theater's smaller stage to the mainstage in order for more audiences to experience an acclaimed new play. An exploration of the power and fragility of love through three generations of family life, Smokefall in its debut set the record of highest number of individual tickets sold in Owen Theatre history, and the production topped the "Best of 2013" lists among major Chicago media. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

The original six-member company remains intact for the play's Albert Theatre premiere-including Chicago favorite Mike Nussbaum as The Colonel, whose performance "just weeks from his 90th birthday...had my chin on the floor" (Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune) was hailed as "miraculous...so emblematic of the play's homage to the life force itself...a rare treat" (Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times). Smokefall runs now through October 26 in the Albert Theatre (opening night is Monday, September 29).

Smokefall's page-to-stage journey began in 2006 during Haidle's production of Vigils at the Goodman, when he conceived and developed Local Time-a 12-play cycle spanning one 24-hour period in the life of a Midwestern family, each act named for the time in which it took place (11am to 1pm and 5 to 7pm, etc). Falls was drawn to the project and commissioned Haidle to develop it, including a workshop of three of the 12 plays in the Goodman's New Stages festival. Working with the Goodman's Director of New Play Development Tanya Palmer (for whom the play is dedicated), Haidle further reworked the project and ultimately created a single play-Smokefall, whose title refers to the time of day immediately before nightfall- that tackles thematic questions about the meaning of life and the nature of love and commitment. The Goodman's 2013 world-premiere co-production with South Coast Repertory appeared in the Owen Theatre (October 5 - November 3).

Change is in the air as Violet (Keberlein) prepares to bring twin boys into the world. Inside her womb, her unborn sons (Massey and Slater) contemplate life after birth, the fragility of love and the meaning of home, while outside her body her world is in transformation: her husband, Daniel (Slater) is making plans of his own, her father The Colonel (Nussbaum) is slipping into senility and her daughter, Beauty (Combs) has taken a vow of silence. In the third act, one of the twins-now an old man-reflects on his life and family when an unexpected visitor arrives. The design team includes Kevin Depinet (set), Lindsay Jones (sound), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes) and David Weiner (lighting). Joseph Drummond is the production stage manager and Briana J. Fahey is the stage manager. Tanya Palmer is the dramaturg for the production.

Tickets ($25-$81; subject to change) are on sale now at GoodmanTheatre.org/Smokefall, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn).

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren

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