We return to our series of visits to the web sites of major regional theatres. This week:
Laying claim to being "Chicago's oldest and largest resident
theatre," the Goodman was founded in 1925 and became fully
professional in 1977. They were awarded the Outstanding Regional
Theatre Tony Award in 1992. Robert Falls, winner of a 1999 Tony
for his direction of the revival of The Iceman Cometh (the
production originated at the Goodman), has been their artistic
director since 1986, and the theatre has fielded the talents of
artists such as Frank Galati, Chuck Smith, Michael Maggio, Cherry
Jones, Brian Dennehy, Rip Torn. The Goodman has been the site
of the premieres of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, American
Buffalo and A Life In The Theater and August Wilson's
Seven Guitars, Fences and The Piano Lesson.
The Goodman is in the process of building a new theatre complex: a 400-seat space -- larger than their current 135-seat studio space -- the Own Bruner Goodman Theatre, built within the existing Selwyn Theatre; and the 800-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre. The space will also include a restaurant and retail area.
This season finishes off with Marion McClinton's Jitney and Rebecca Gilman's Spinning Into Butter. Already announced for the 1999/2000 season are an adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey (adapted and directed by Mary Zimmerman), a new play by Rebecca Gilman (to be directed by Michael Maggio), A Raisin in the Sun, Luis Valdez's Zoot Suit, and "An Exciting Work to be Announced."
The Goodman's official web site is clear, clean, and attractive. The spare design makes finding what you're looking for straightforward. After a large, Goodman Theatre-logoed splash page (scroll down to the "enter here" link, or just click on the logo), you'll find yourself at their index/home page. Here you'll find the links to Press Releases, including a separate link to the release about the four Tony Awards their production of Iceman won this year, as well as links to pages about current plays. There's also a link for details about The New Goodman Theatre, with floorplans, illustrations, press releases, and photos of the current state of construction.
Other main links include:
About Us - featuring the history of the Goodman, its mission, details about its Arts in Education and Community Outreach programs, and volunteer, internship and contact information (the last not much more detailed than the footer on every page, which includes the mailing address, box office phone number, and email address).
The Plays - for a list of current shows, performance dates and times, and ticket prices.
Buy Tickets - to... guess! They have not established a mechanism for online purchase of tickets, but you can find box office numbers and times, subscription and group sales information, and details about their half-price tickets, as well as seating charts, directions to the theatre, and accessibility information.
Subcribers - different than the "subscribe now" link (part of the "Buy Tickets") page, this is more of a detailed area for people who are already subscribed. It includes information on how to exchange tickets (which only subscribers are permitted to do).
Press - for reprints of articles concerning the theatre and its productions.
Your Role - about the various ways to support and work with the theatre.
Previous regional theatre views:
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Alley Theatre
Goodspeed Opera House
Old Globe Theatre
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 7/13/99
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