Robert Falls

Robert Falls’ 20th anniversary season at Goodman Theatre begins with his production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, featuring Stacy Keach in the title role with performances beginning September 9. However, his season won’t just keep him in Chicago. Falls will reunite with playwright Eric Bogosian to also direct the first Broadway production of Talk Radio.  Bogosian’s biting 1987 drama which will open in February 2007 and feature stage and screen star Liev Schreiber in a limited engagement at the Longacre Theatre.  Currently celebrating his 20th Anniversary Season as Artistic Director of Goodman Theatre, Falls returns to Broadway after directing the American premiere of Conor McPherson’s Shining City last season. 

“In the twenty years that have passed since this incendiary drama first tore up the stage, much history has been made in talk radio as a medium,” said Falls.  “With this production, Eric proves yet again that he is a writer with his finger on the pulse of American society.  I have immensely enjoyed the collaborations we have shared in Chicago and New York and am thrilled to reconnect with him on this incredible play.”

Falls’ long directorial history with Bogosian includes the world premiere of subUrbia at Lincoln Center Theater in 1994, for which Falls received a 1995 Obie Award.  In 1997, he directed the world premiere of Bogosian’s Griller at Goodman Theatre.   Talk Radio, a searing drama about an acerbic late-night radio host, premiered in a 1987 production starring Bogosian at the Public Theater.  In 1988, Bogosian and Oliver Stone collaborated on a film version of Talk Radio, with Bogosian reprising his leading role and Stone directing.

Robert Falls’ Broadway production of Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night, starring Brian Dennehy, Vanessa Redgrave, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robert Sean Leonard, received three 2003 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play and three 2003 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Director of a Play.  Falls’ 1998/1999 season production Death of a Salesman for the Goodman moved to Broadway, where it was subsequently honored with four 1999 Tony Awards, including Best Director of a Play and Best Revival of a Play.  Falls accepted the 1992 Special Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater on behalf of the Goodman Theatre.  His production of Horton Foote's Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Young Man from Atlanta, starring Rip Torn and Shirley Knight, was nominated for three 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Play.  His production of Tennesee Williams' The Rose Tattoo at Circle in the Square, starring Anthony LaPaglia and Mercedes Ruehl, was nominated for a 1995 Tony Award as Best Revival of a Play. 

Liev Schreiber recently played the title role in Macbeth at New York Shakespeare Festival.  He won a Tony Award for the 2005 Broadway revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.  His other Broadway credits include Betrayal and In the Summer House.  His film credits include the Scream franchise, Kate & Leopold, The Manchurian Candidate and The Omen.