The Goodman wraps its 2025/2026 Centennial Season, an unprecedented line-up marking the 100th anniversary of Chicago's flagship not-for-profit theater, as the most successful in its history. Today, the theater released its "A Century of Impact" report, detailing milestone programming and attendance figures (a full annual report, including audited financials, will be published at year's end). Led by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, the season drew more audiences than ever, topping 300,000—with 57% attending The Goodman for the first time—to 4,000 performances and events. The works in the 15-production season, curated by Booth, earned widespread critical and audience acclaim: 11 extended productions, 290 sold-out performances, while the world-premiere musical Iceboy! Or, The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O'Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh became the theater's all-time best-attended, best-selling production. Attendees hailed from 61 countries beyond the U.S. with audiences from 5,837 unique zip codes.
In addition, the Goodman broke new ground transforming a 15,000 square-foot, in-the-raw space for Theater of the Mind, Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne's immersive work, drawing 63% first-time Goodman attendees. Chicago resident magician Dennis Watkins continued into his third year at The Magic Parlour, in partnership with The Goodman and Petterino's, hosting 163 sold-out performances and expanding his roster by welcoming nine guest artists. Beyond the stage, The Goodman offered 100 Free Acts of Theater—a year-long collaboration with 48 community partners at creative organizations in all 50 Chicago wards—drawing more than 20,000 people, presented in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Expanded Theater for the Very Young programming drew nearly 5,000 children and caregivers, with nearly 13,000 people of all ages engaging in free and low-cost Education and Engagement programming. Goodman Theatre Centennial Season leadership included Chair of The Goodman Board of Trustees is Marsha Cruzan; Women's Board President is Diane Landgren; and Kelli Garcia as President of the Scenemakers, The Goodman's young professionals board.
"One hundred years ago, Chicago gave us a stage. Over the past century, this city has given us so much more—welcoming generations of artists with bold ideas, filling our theaters with laughter, applause and conversation, challenging us to tell stories that reflect who we are, who we've been and who we might yet become," said Booth and Collins in a joint statement. "There are many ways to measure success; for us, it's ultimately about impact. We're proud to have reached more audiences through more programming in more communities this year than ever before. As theater leadership, we deeply feel the gratitude and responsibility that comes with a 100-year legacy. We look to continue The Goodman's story in our second century with the greatest ambition to deepen our reach, welcome more voices, and build stronger connections."
PRODUCTIONS, EVENTS AND OFFERINGS IN THE CENTENNIAL SEASON
ALBERT THEATRE (856-SEAT PROSCENIUM STAGE) PRODUCTIONS
Ashland Avenue
By Lee Kirk, Directed by Susan V. Booth
Starring Jenna Fischer
September 6 – October 5, 2025 (extended through October 19) | A World Premiere
A Christmas Carol (48th annual production)
By Charles Dickens, Directed by Malkia Stampley
Starring Christopher Donahue as Ebenezer Scrooge
November 15 – December 31, 2025
Holiday
Adapted by Richard Greenberg, Based on the play by Philip Barry, Directed by Robert Falls
January 31 – March 1, 2026 (extended through March 8) | A World-Premiere Adaptation
August Wilson's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Directed by Chuck Smith, Associate Director and Music Director Harry J. Lennix
March 28 – April 26, 2026 (extended through May 3)
Iceboy! or, The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O'Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh
Music by Mark Hollman, Lyrics by Mark Hollman and Jay Reiss, Book by Erin Quinn Purcell and Jay Reiss
Directed by Marc Bruni, Choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter
Starring Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman
June 9 – July 19, 2026 (extended through August 16) | A World-Premiere Musical
OWEN THEATRE (350-SEAT FLEXIBLE STAGE) PRODUCTIONS
Revolution(s)
By Zayd Ayers Dohrn, Music and Lyrics by Tom Morello, Directed by Steve H. Broadnax, III
October 4 – November 9, 2025 (extended through November 23) | A World-Premiere Musical
New Stages Festival (21st annual event) January 11 – 18, 2026
FEAST! by Calamity West, Directed by Susan V. Booth
Pennies by Hansol Jung, Directed by Patricia McGregor
This Part of His Life Blooms by Christina Anderson, Directed by Malkia Stampley
The Audience Unseen by Ike Holter, Directed by Gus Menary, Dramaturgy by Sarah Slight
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
By Marco Antonio Rodriguez, Adapted from the novel by Junot Díaz, Directed by Wendy Mateo
February 21 – April 5, 2026 (extended through April 12) | A World-Premiere Adaptation
Covenant
By York Walker, Directed by Malkia Stampley
May 2 – 31, 2026 (extended through June 7) | A Chicago Premiere
Raven Theatre's production of Dave Malloy's Octet
Directed by Keira Fromm
July 15 – 26, 2026 (extended through August 2)
TJ and Dave
Starring TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, with special musical guest Ike Reilly
July 30-31 and August 1
THEATER FOR THE VERY YOUNG PRODUCTIONS
Splish Splash: A Day on the Lake
Directed by Ellie Levine and Jamal Howard, created in collaboration with students from Total Child Preschool
February 28 – March 15, 2026 (extended through March 22)
The Lizard y El Sol
Presented as part of the Chicago Park District's Night Out in the Parks Series, supported by the Mayor's Office and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Co-Directed by Jamal Howard and Raquel Torre
July 22 – August 9, 2026 (extended through August 15)
Appeared at 12 Chicago Parks District locations and four (4) Chicago Public Libraries
OFF-SITE PRODUCTIONS
Theater of the Mind
Created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar, Directed by Andrew Scoville
Appearing at 333 N. LaSalle in an open run (performances began March 11, 2026)
Dennis Watkins' The Magic Parlour
Produced in partnership with Goodman Theatre and Petterino's
Appearing at 50 W. Randolph in its third season, in an open run (tickets on sale through December 31)
EVENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS
100 Free Acts of Theater
In partnership with the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE)
Summer 2025 – Summer 2026
Sweetest Season: A Gathering of Indigenous Creativity
In partnership with Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
August 15
THEATER FOR A LIFETIME
The Goodman's Education and Engagement programs cater to theatergoers at every stage of life. During the Centennial Season, nearly 13,000 people participated in nearly 200 free and low-cost programs, workshops and performances—including 4,490 children and caregivers through Theater for the Very Young, more than 4,800 students and teachers through school-based programming and nearly 900 older adults through GeNarrations. Goodman Education and Engagement programs include:
For Young Children & Families – Second Saturdays; Theater for the Very Young
Students & Teachers – Pages; School Matinee Series; Stage Chemistry
Teens – Musical Theater Intensive; PlayBuild Youth Intensive; Teen Studio; Youth Arts Council
Adults – ACTivation; CONTEXT; GeNarrations
CENTENNIAL SEASON SUPPORT
The Goodman hosted two major fundraisers that together raided $1.6 million in support of the theater's Education and Engagement programs. In October 2025, stage and screen star Jenna Fischer shared her thoughts about formative experiences in the arts at the annual Education and Engagement Benefit, co-chaired by Elizabeth Balthrop and Anne Van Wart; Kathleen Cowie and Melissa Donaldson were Education and Engagement Committee Co-Chairs. In May 2026, Emmy, SAG and Critics Choice Award nominee Tituss Burgess dazzled audiences with a live show, followed by dinner and dancing at the Goodman Gala. The event was co-chaired by Wendy Krimins, Heather Poladian and Heather Zimmerman with Trustee Co-Chair Troy Zimmerman and Benefits Events Leadership Chair Joan E. Clifford, Board of Trustees Past Chair and Life Trustee.
The Goodman is grateful to its Centennial Season Sponsors, including Leading Sponsors Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Allstate Insurance Company; Helen Gurley Brown BOLD Circle; Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events; Chicago Department of Planning and Development; Edgerton Foundation New Play Award; Julius N. Frankel Foundation; Illinois Office of Tourism; JPMorgan Chase & Co.; The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust; Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust; Northern Trust Bank; Alfred P. Sloan Foundation; and The Shubert Foundation. Additional Support by Abbott Labs; BMO; Illinois Arts Council; National Endowment for the Arts; Petterino's; PNC; Polk Bros Foundation; Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation; and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Individual Sponsors include Susan and James Annable; Roger and Julie Baskes; Joan and Robert Clifford; Patricia Cox; Julie M. Danis and Paul F. Donahue; Christopher C. Dewey; Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelly; Paul Dykstra and Spark Cremin; Albert and Maria Goodman; The Kenneth Sawyer Goodman Family; Elaine R. Leavenworth; Carol Prins and John Hart; Alice and John Sabl; and Kimbra and Mark Walter. Impact Sponsors include Marsha Cruzan and Tom McGinnis; Drs. Robert and Frances Del Boca; David and Alexandra Fox; Diane Landgren; and Lorrayne and Steve Weiss.
ABOUT THE GOODMAN
Since 1925, The Goodman has been a theatrical home for artists and a gathering space for Chicagoland, where bold stories spark connection, conversation and change. Now, as it enters its second century, The Goodman builds on that legacy with an eye toward the future. Under the leadership of Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, the theater continues to champion new work—following hundreds of plays developed and a national reputation for commissioning and premiering original stories by living writers—while reimagining classics and produce large-scale musicals.
But The Goodman's reach today extends beyond its home in the heart of the Loop. From the intimate magic of The Magic Parlour, now in its third year, to the boundary-pushing world of Theater of the Mind—an immersive experience that blurs the lines between science, storytelling and sensation—and from citywide initiatives like 100 Free Acts of Theater to partnerships with artists and companies across Chicago and around the world, The Goodman is expanding what theater can be, and where it can live.
At its core, The Goodman is driven by a belief that a more empathetic, more connected city is built one story at a time. Generation-spanning productions and programs offer theater for a lifetime—from babies and young children to teens, adults and seniors—including Theater for the Very Young (ages 0–5) and the beloved annual A Christmas Carol, which has welcomed audiences for five decades. Education and Engagement programs, led by Clifford Director Jared Bellot and based in the Alice Rapoport Center, use the tools of theater to spark imagination, reflection and belonging—reaching thousands each year, the majority from underserved communities.
With nearly 200 world or American premieres, two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards, The Goodman remains a defining force in American theater—and the first to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson's American Century Cycle. The theater also frequently serves as a production partner—from national and international companies to Chicago's Off-Loop theaters—to help amplify a wide range of theatrical voices.
Founded by William O. Goodman and his family in memory of playwright Kenneth Sawyer Goodman, the theater carries forward a legacy of artistic ambition and civic generosity. With the help of Mr. Goodman's descendants—Albert Ivar Goodman and his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton—that spirit continues to shape its future as The Goodman expands its impact across Chicago and beyond. Marsha Cruzan is Chair of the Goodman Theatre Board of Trustees; Diane Landgren is Women's Board President; and Christopher Way is president of the Scenemakers Board for Young Professionals.
The Goodman stands on the unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations—and acknowledges the many other Nations for whom this land now called Chicago has long been home, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. The Goodman is proud to partner with the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (Gichigamiin-Museum.org) and the Center for Native Futures (CenterForNativeFutures.org)—organizations devoted to honoring Indigenous stories, preserving cultural memory, and deepening public understanding.
