Theater that shatters the “fourth wall,” guiding the audience through a walking experience that they can “taste” and “feel.”
A raft of stars from the world of stage, Hollywood and popular music.
And, of course, a number of beloved favorites.
That’s what the Goodman Theatre announced Tuesday for its centennial season, calling the 2025-26 lineup “epic” and “unprecedented.”
Among the highlights:
The Goodman also is set to present theater in all 50 of the city’s wards, in a program it’s calling “100 Free Acts of Theater.” It’s being produced in collaboration with the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events as a way to “give back to the community that makes Chicago a great theater town.”
The coming season will feature 11 productions in all — six of them world premieres.
The season kicks off Sept. 6 with “Ashland Avenue,” written by Lee Kirk and directed by the Goodman’s artistic director, Susan V. Booth. The play stars, among others, Jenna Fischer from the popular NBC show “The Office.”
The world-premiere musical Revolution(s), penned by Zayd Ayers Dorn and featuring the music of Rock & Roll Hall of famer guitarist/songwriter Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) arrives Oct. 4 at the Owen Theatre, telling the tale of a soldier/aspiring musician who returns from the war in Afghanistan to Chicago’s South Side, set against a soundtrack of punk, metal and hip-hop.
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” in its 48th year, returns Nov. 15 and runs through Dec. 31.
March 2026 brings a revival of August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” directed by Chuck Smith.
In June 2026, the Goodman will offer the world premiere of “Iceboy! or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh,” a musical comedy staring Emmy Award winner Megan Mullally (“Will & Grace”), directed by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (“Urinetown”).
The Talking Heads’ David Byrne and writer Mala Gaonkar are the creative team behind “Theater of The Mind,” which comes to the Goodman in the coming season (opening date to be announced). Directed by Andrew Scoville, it’s described as a “theatrical experience you’ll see, feel, taste and hear. Inspired by both historical and current neuroscience research, the show takes you on an intimate and immersive journey inside how we see and create our worlds.” Audiences will be guided through a series of rooms to participate in “thought-provoking neuroscience experiences.” The site-specific production takes place at the Reid Building, 333 N. LaSalle.