WORDS FOR THOUGHT

Few things say Chicago like the Goodman Theatre. Whether it's a new show or a classic reimagined, a Goodman production will inspire you.

When you can see stars like Brian Dennehy and Stacy Keach walk through the front door, you know you are somewhere special. And when you can see Pulitzer prize-winning plays by David Mamet and August Wilson, you know you're at the Goodman.

Under the artistic direction of Robert Falls, the Goodman has mounted several award-winning selections, including nine of the 10 August Wilson dramas that capture the African American experience in the 20th century one decade at a time.

A play here is one you won't soon forget. Performers may show up in a theater box next to you, playing their role in the play. Bodies may disappear through a trap door and props may appear out of nowhere. In fact at one recent performance, in the smaller studio theater, the entire cast sat quietly in the shadows around the stage as if watching the performance themselves.

Of course, the holiday season is defined by the Goodman's production of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, a Chicago tradition for nearly 30 years. Each year features a large, imaginative production of this timeless classic.

Reimagination is what the Goodman does best: even if you've seen a particular play before, you've never seen it like the way you will at the Goodman Theatre.

View our events calendar to see what exciting productions are on stage while you're here. You may even want to change your plans to catch a specific performance.