Chicago’s Goodman Theater, the oldest and one of the most venerated theater companies in the city, turns 100 in October. On February 24th, the theater announced the roster of plays selected and events developed to commemorate its Centennial Season.
Of the seven plays making up the Centennial schedule in celebration of the theater’s historic milestone, five will be world premieres. They will be staged in either the main 865 seat Albert Theatre or the flexible 350 seat Owen Theatre. In the Albert, theatrical debuts include the Chicago centered Ashland Avenue by Lee Kirk and directed by the Goodman’s Artistic Director, Susan V. Booth, and the musical Iceboy! or the Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write the Iceman Cometh, music by Mark Hollman, lyrics by Hollman and Jay Reiss, book by Erin Quinn Purcell and Reiss and directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. Also in the Albert, a world-premiere adaptation of Phillip Barry’s Holiday will open on January 31st, 2026, directed by Robert Falls. Chuck Smith will direct a major revival of August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in the Spring; with Harry Lennix acting as both associate director and musical director.
Centennial performances in the Owen will be comprised entirely of world premieres beginning in October with Zayd Ayers Dohns Revolution(s), music and lyrics by Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello and directed by Steve H. Broadnax, III. An adaptation by Marco Antonio Rodriguez of Junot Diaz’s novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao follows under the direction of Wendy Mateo. Dael Orlandersmith’s Blood Memory, to be staged in early May 2026 and directed by Neel Keller, will complete the Owen’s trinity of premieres.
During the announcement ceremony at the Goodman’s Dearborn Street location Tuesday morning, Talking Heads frontman and acclaimed inter-disciplinary artist, David Byrne, confirmed news regarding his immersive theatrical venture, Theater of the Mind. A concept he developed with writer and businesswoman Mala Gaonkar, the production premiered at Denver’s York St. Yards in 2022. As part of the Goodman’s Centennial Season celebration, Byrnes stated Theater of the Mind will establish a permanent home in Chicago with the objective of it becoming a “major new downtown attraction”. As its director, Andrew Scoville will have audiences “move through a series of rooms with a guide, participating in thought-provoking neuroscience experiences”. Involving sight, touch, taste and sound, Theater of the Mind will take immersive theater to unexplored dimensions and debut at the Reid Building (333 N. LaSalle) during the Goodman’s Centennial 25/26 season.
Involving each of Chicago’s 50 wards and conceived to give back to the community, 100 Free Acts of Theater will be a year-long offering of free arts programming produced in partnership with the Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Program and similar details regarding creative partners tied to the endeavor are expected soon.
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