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Goodman Theatre announces initial plans for its 2006/2007 season, a diverse line-up that unites established and emerging talents to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Tony Award-winning artistic director, Robert Falls. Falls launches the season in the Albert Theatre with the quintessential theatrical work, William Shakespeare’s masterpiece King Lear, with the estimable Stacy Keach in the title role. The Goodman becomes the only theater in the country to produce each play in August Wilson’s powerful 10-play cycle with Radio Golf—the final chapter in the late playwright’s exploration of the 20th century African American experience. This production is the centerpiece of the theater’s August Wilson Festival, which includes a collaboration with Congo Square Theatre—Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by Derrick Sanders. Director Frank Galati—whose acclaimed production of She Always Said, Pablo was an integral part of Falls’ first season as Artistic Director—now brings the Chicago premiere of Oedipus Complex, his provocative riff on Sophocles and Freud. The season in the Owen Theatre opens with Vigils, up-and-coming playwright Noah Haidle’s (Mr. Marmalade) newest work that was first seen in the Goodman’s 2005/2006 New Stages series. The Goodman welcomes back Kate Whoriskey (Heartbreak House) to direct. Falls directs the world premiere of Frank’s Home by former Goodman Associate Director Richard Nelson, about two of America’s (and Chicago’s) most influential architects, Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. The 2006/2007 season would not be complete without the perennial holiday favorite—the Goodman’s 29th annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
“To celebrate 20 years as the artistic leader of the Goodman, I am proud to present a bold, powerful scope of work that our audiences have come to expect as our theater’s signature,” said Falls. “This season is shaped by a variety of voices, from my long-time favorites like the artful Frank Galati and Richard Nelson, to a talented rising star like Noah Haidle, whose edgy new work Vigils we introduced in last season’s New Stages Series and now bring to the mainstage. We’ll commemorate the incomparable August Wilson, the Goodman’s valued friend and collaborator, with a Festival around our production of his final work. And I am thrilled to kick off this milestone season with King Lear starring Stacy Keach, an actor of remarkable range and depth, to lead us.”