Theatre News Wire

Artistic Director Robert Falls announced Goodman Theatre's 2012/2013 subscription season today, featuring four world- and two Chicago-premiere productions. The new season begins in September with Chicago native David Cromer's revival of Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams. Next up in the Albert Theatre are two consecutive Chicago premieres: Jon Robin Baitz's Other Desert Cities directed by Henry Wishcamper, and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage, directed by Chuck Smith. The season culminates with the world-premiere production of The Jungle Book, a new musical based on the Disney animated film and the stories by Rudyard Kipling, adapted and directed by Tony Award-winner Mary Zimmerman. Three Goodman-commissioned plays take the stage in the Owen Theatre: Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men, written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith, directed by Chay Yew; Christopher Shinn's Teddy Ferrara, directed by Evan Cabnet; and The Happiest Song Plays Last by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The 2012/2013 Season also includes the 35th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Steve Scott. NOTE: one play in the Albert Theatre (in spring 2013) is to be announced.

"I am proud to announce this season of extraordinary cultural and aesthetic diversity, ranging from a solo tour de force performance to a large-scale world-premiere musical work. And I am particularly thrilled that three Goodman-commissioned works are on tap," said Artistic Director Robert Falls.

"Sweet Bird of Youth, one of Tennessee Williams' most poetic, funny and tragic works, finds a perfect match in David Cromer-whose recent unforgettable rendering of A Streetcar Named Desire at Writers' Theatre demonstrated his remarkable affinity for Williams. I worked with David as an actor in my 2002 production of Long Day's Journey Into Night, and now am excited to feature his work as a director here for the first time.

"While I was directing his Three Hotels at Williamstown Theatre Festival this past summer, playwright Jon Robin Baitz and I began discussions about producing his searing Other Desert Cities at the Goodman. This scintillating play about a family pushed to the brink is the perfect fit with our season. To direct, we warmly welcome back Henry Wishcamper for the Chicago premiere of Jon's terrific drama, dubbed 'the best new play on Broadway' (The New York Times).

"I am delighted to welcome back Lynn Nottage to the Goodman for the first time since her Pulitzer Prize-winning Ruined. In her sly new satire, By the Way, Meet Vera Stark, Lynn pulls back the curtain on old Hollywood. Chuck Smith, whose grace and dexterity with Lynn's work was clear in his 2006 hit production of Crumbs from the Table of Joy, directs.

"The Albert Theatre season culminates with a world-premiere musical adaptation of The Jungle Book from the incomparable Mary Zimmerman. Drawing from Rudyard Kipling's riotously entertaining and highly sophisticated fables and the beloved 1967 Disney animated film, Mary uses her signature style of collaboration with her company of actors and creative team to create a piece that is certain to enchant audiences of all ages.

"Three remarkable new plays take the stage in the Owen Theatre this season," continued Falls. "Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men, the latest work from the fiercely talented Dael Orlandersmith, starts in September. Next, Pulitzer Prize-finalist Christopher Shinn brings his gripping new drama Teddy Ferrara; finally, The Happiest Song Plays Last by Quiara Hudes-a Tony Award nominee for penning the book for the musical In the Heights-concludes the season in the Owen."

Call to subscribe to the Goodman's 2012/2013 Season: 312.443.3800; online subscription sales (GoodmanTheatre.org) start March 6. Individual tickets go on sale beginning in August.