STAGE TUBE: Behind the Scenes of Goodman Theatre's GREAT WOMEN AT PLAY Series

Goodman Theatre introduces a new subscription package for 2014, "Great Women at Play," featuring works written and directed by a handful of the most popular female playwrights working in the American theater today. This special package for women-and men-includes five plays for the price of four, a complimentary visit to the exclusive Goodman Lounge and the opportunity to win a $100 gift certificate from the Goodman's preferred restaurant partner, Petterino's. Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/GreatWomen for more information, and check out a video of the artists involved below!

"The plays in the Great Women at Play subscription series are a great representation of the range of work that the Goodman does, and the variety of artists with whom we work," said Tanya Palmer, Director of New Play Development.

Chicago-based playwright Rebecca Gilman, whose newest work, Luna Gale, is part of the package and makes its world premiere in January 2014, added, "What excites me the most about 'Great Women at Play' is that the Goodman didn't plan their season around this subscription package; they simply compiled a season of great plays, and then realized that there were a lot of women storytellers involved. I love working at the Goodman. The theater is dedicated to new plays and new voices, and they work to give the artists involved every opportunity to see their work in its best light. I feel very lucky to be a part of this theater."

About the Plays of "Great Women at Play":

Luna Gale

By Rebecca Gilman, Directed by Robert Falls
A World Premiere | January 18 - February 23, 2014 in the Albert
Caroline, a veteran social worker, thinks she has a typical case on her hands when she meets Peter and Karlie, two teenaged drug addicts accused of neglecting their baby. But when she places their infant daughter in the care of Karlie's mother, Caroline sparks a family conflict that exposes a shadowy past-and forces her to make a decision with potentially disastrous consequences. An unflinching examination of the reverberating effects of denial and betrayal.

Buzzer

By Tracey Scott Wilson, Directed by Jessica Thebus
A Chicago Premiere | February 8 - March 9, 2014 in the Owen
Jackson is a young, successful African American attorney determined to build a life in the rapidly gentrifying neighborhood of his youth. When he returns "home" with his girlfriend and troubled best friend-both white-in tow, the trio are soon forced to confront the simmering racial and sexual tensions that exist both inside and outside their apartment. This dexterous and dark comedy from playwright Tracey Scott Wilson (The Good Negro) fearlessly tackles fear and suspicion in a quickly changing world.

Venus in Fur

By David Ives, Directed by Joanie Schultz
A Chicago Premiere | March 8 - April 13, 2014, in the Albert
When Vanda arrives several hours late to her audition for a play based on a nineteenth-century erotic novel, the director, Thomas, is less-than-impressed. But Vanda's masterful performance flips the script on Thomas' expectations and turns the session into a tango for dominance between actress and director, woman and man. Hailed as "seriously smart and very funny" by The New York Times, Venus in Fur is a laugh-out-loud study of the politics of sex and power.

The White Snake

Written and Directed by Mary Zimmerman, Based on the Classic Chinese Fable
A Chicago Premiere | May 3 - June 8, 2014 in the Albert
The White Snake chronicles the tale of a gentle serpent spirit who lives for centuries coiled on a mountaintop. One day, she transforms herself into a beautiful young woman and, with her feisty companion, Green Snake, travels down to the world of humans. There, she unexpectedly finds love, happiness and family, and vows to remain a human forever. But when a vengeful monk discovers her true identity, he becomes determined to destroy the life that she's built-and break apart her marriage to her one true love.

Brigadoon

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, Music by Frederick Loewe, Directed and Choreographed by Rachel Rockwell
June 27 - August 3, 2014 in the Albert
When American tourists Tommy and Jeff get lost on vacation in Scotland they stumble into Brigadoon, a mythical village that appears for only one day every 100 years. No outsider can stay in Brigadoon unless they fall in love, and no resident can ever leave or the village will vanish forever. But when Tommy falls for a village girl, he is forced to choose between returning to the world that he knows-or taking a chance on life and love in the mysterious Brigadoon. Big, beautiful and beguiling, Brigadoon is a "ravishing" (The New Yorker) musical delight.

The Goodman's 2013/2014 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 series that includes two additional workshop productions. Pullman Porter Blues by Cheryl L. West, directed by Chuck Smith, is now playing in the Albert (through October 27) and Smokefall by Noah Haidle, directed by Anne Kauffman, is now playing in the Owen (through November 3). Still to come in the 2013/2014 Season is the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Tom Creamer, directed by Henry Wishcamper (November 16 - December 28, in the Albert); the annual New Stages series (December 7 - 22, 2013 in the Owen); the world premiere of Luna Gale by Rebecca Gilman, directed by Robert Falls (January 18 - February 23, 2014 in the Albert); Buzzer by Tracey Scott Wilson, directed by Jessica Thebus (February 8 - March 9, 2014 in the Owen); the Chicago premiere of Venus in Fur by David Ives, directed by Joanie Schultz (March 8 - April 13, 2014 in the Albert); the Chicago premiere of The White Snake written and directed by Mary Zimmerman, based on the classic Chinese fable (May 3 - June 8, 2014 in the Albert); the world-premiere Goodman commission of Ask Aunt Susan by Seth Bockley, directed by Henry Wishcamper (May 24 - June 22, 2014 in the Owen); and a major revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's Brigadoon, directed and choreographed by Rachel Rockwell (June 27 - August 3, 2014 in the Albert).

Goodman Theatre is world renowned for the quality and scope of its artistic programming and its commitment to improving life in the community. Artistic Director Robert Falls' and Executive Director Roche Schulfer's leadership has earned unparalleled artistic distinction and experienced unprecedented success, staging more than 80 world premieres, earning numerous awards for its productions-including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined (2009)-and producing more than 25 new-work commissions. Founded in 1925 and housed in a state-of-the-art two- theater complex in the downtown Chicago Theatre District, the Goodman is Chicago's oldest and largest not-for-profit producing theater. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Ruth Ann M. Gillis is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sherry John is President of the Women's Board and Lauren Blair is President of the Scenemakers Board, the Goodman's young professionals auxiliary group. Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews, view production photos, catch the latest news and more at GoodmanTheatre.org and our blog. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, peek behind the scenes on YouTube.

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