Theatre News Wire

Two adjustments to the season schedule at Goodman Theatre shifts the 2021/2022 "Homecoming" Season line-up in the months ahead. The world-premiere production of Swing State by Rebecca Gilman directed by Robert Falls, previously announced for this spring, has been repositioned as this fall's Owen Theatre opener in the final season Falls plans before stepping down as Artistic Director. In its place, the Goodman presents the "downtown debut" of TimeLine Theatre Company's acclaimed production of Relentless by Tyla Abercrumbie, directed by Ron OJ Parson on the heels of its sold-out world-premiere off-Loop run. A centuries-spanning tale of family, legacy and progress set in the Black Victorian age, Relentless "acknowledges the complexity of everything in America...smart, challenging and deeply moving...the best new work here in years" (Chicago Tribune); "a visual treat; bracing and truthful (with) terrific performances" (Chicago Sun-Times); "a masterpiece that will have you spellbound and wanting more" (Let's Play/ChicagoNow.com). Relentless appears April 1 - May 1 in the Goodman's Owen Theatre. 

"On behalf of us all at the Goodman, I am grateful for the enormous support of our Chicago audiences as we've safely returned to live-in-person performances over the past seven months. Admittedly, this path has been uncharted, complex and inclusive of a few more scheduling shifts than usual," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "The latest shift involves rescheduling Swing State, a wonderful new play by my longtime collaborator and Artistic Associate Rebecca Gilman; in working with Rebecca, we believe the production would benefit from more time for development. At the same time, I'm thrilled to offer an opportunity for more audiences to experience another new play as we present TimeLine Theatre Company's Relentless-a fantastic new work by Tyla Abercrumbie and directed by Ron OJ Parson in a production that has bowled over critics and audiences alike. This move enables a favorable circumstance for all artists involved, and we appreciate our audiences' patience as we proceed."

The critically acclaimed original cast reassembles for Relentless at the Goodman-featuring Ayanna Bria Bakari and Jaye Ladymore as sisters Annelle and Janet, with Rebecca Hurd as Mary Anna Elizabeth, Xavier Edward King as Franklin, Demetra Dee as Zhuukee (also called Annabelle Lee) and Travis Delgado as Marcus. Set in the Black Victorian era, Abercrumbie's play looks at the deep personal secrets we keep to protect the ones we love most. It's 1919; after the death of their mother, two sisters come home to Philadelphia to settle her estate. Annelle is a happy socialite desperate to return to the safe illusion of a perfect life with her husband in Boston. Janet is a single, professional nurse, determined to change history and propel Black women to a place of prominence and respect. After discovering diaries left by their late mother, they find themselves confronted with a woman they never really knew, exposing buried truths from the past that are chillingly, explosively Relentless.

"TimeLine is thrilled to partner with Goodman Theatre to provide Chicago audiences more opportunities to experience Relentless," said TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers. "This play has been a multi-year passion project for us, launched and developed through TimeLine's Playwrights Collective starting in 2017. After the originally planned 2020 run was delayed by the pandemic, we finally celebrated its world premiere in January. The response was overwhelming, and it was clear that the play deserved more life beyond its limited run. Audiences and critics alike have recognized that Tyla Abercrumbie's voice has a beauty and poetry that is absolutely searing. The play already has the feel of a classic, yet it burns with a contemporary relevance that is unmistakable. We can't wait to introduce Relentless to more people, thanks to this partnership with the Goodman."