From Manischewitz to Matzo balls to the mayhem of High Holidays by Alan Gross, Goodman Theatre’s Education and Community Engagement division and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies join forces for a unique dining event, “Tasting Tradition: Tales at the Table of Jewish Culture,” on Nov. 23 from 6:30 – 8:30pm at the award-winning Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies facility (610 S Michigan Ave) with floor-to-ceiling views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan.

Noted Kosher Chef Laura Frankel serves up a menu inspired by the play and its 1960s setting; participants will enjoy a scrumptious family-style dinner of classic Jewish fare—and some surprises. Storytellers from Serendipity Theatre Collective’s 2nd Story, Ilana Shavanov, Michael Przygoda and Julie Ganey, join the fun with tales of tradition in the spirit of the high holidays. Tickets are $36; call 312.443.3800.

Due to the unique nature of this event and its limited capacity, ticket sales end Nov. 19; tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.

“‘Tasting Tradition’ celebrates the way food, story and history are linked in Jewish culture. Each dish has significance and import, each meal filled with stories that remind us how we stand on the struggles and triumphs of the people who have come before,” said Willa Taylor, Director of Education and Community Engagement at Goodman Theatre.

“You see this in High Holidays—and to experience it personally with Laura’s amazing cuisine is like manna from heaven.”

Laura Frankel has been Executive Chef for Wolfgang Puck Catering’s kosher foodservice operations at Spertus since 2007. She was the founder and chef of the adventurous, gourmet kosher Shallots restaurants in Chicago and Manhattan, and has extensive training and experience in both savory and pastry kitchens.

After she started a family and began maintaining a kosher home, she became interested in expanding kosher offerings in the Chicago area; it was from this revelation that her career as a kosher chef was born. A lively and entertaining presenter, Chef Laura teaches kosher cooking classes for adults and children at Spertus and across the country, including at Chicago’s Green City Market and at New York’s legendary DeGustibus cooking school.

She is the author of Jewish Cooking for All Seasons: Fresh, Flavorful Kosher Recipes for Holidays and Everyday and a regular commentator—in print and on air—on all things kosher.

Curated by April Newman, “Tasting Tradition” is directed by Amanda Delheimer of 2nd Story, a hybrid performance event that combines storytelling, wine, and music, produced by the Serendipity Theater Collective. Three 2nd Story storytellers, Ilana Shavanov, Michael Przygoda and Julie Ganey, join “Tasting Tradition” to personify the history, values and memories in food rituals.

High Holidays runs through Nov. 29, 2009 in the Goodman’s Owen Theatre. Tickets ($10 – $40) are now on sale 312-443-3800 or GoodmanTheatre.org.

From civil rights upheaval to political cataclysm, 1963 was a pivotal year in American cultural and political history. The changes that are roiling the Roman family in High Holidays are more personal and mundane, but no less earth-shattering for those involved.

Billy is terrified by the prospect of reciting from the Torah at his upcoming Bar Mitzvah and desperate to find a way out of it. Rob is equally desperate to find an escape from a different sort of ritual—higher education—and embraces the growing counterculture that would come to define the 1960s.

Parents Essie and Nate feel they have sacrificed everything to provide a decent life for their children, but are now trapped between the expectations of their own immigrant parents and their children’s disdain for the family’s suburban lifestyle.

Production Sponsors for High Holidays include the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the Goodman World Premiere Season Sponsors M. Ann O’Brien and Randy and Lisa White, and New Works Season Sponsors: Julie and Roger Baskes; Joan and Robert Clifford; Patricia Cox; Eva and Michael Losacco; Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Foundation; Karen and Richard Pigott; Alice Rapoport and Michael Sachs, Sg2; Shaw Family Supporting Organization; and Orli and Bill Staley.

About the Goodman’s Education and Community Engagement

Goodman Theatre offers a wide variety of programming to enable Chicagoland learners of all ages to experience theater first hand with working professionals, teachers and artists; Willa Taylor is the Director of Education and Community Engagement.

Programs are offered to audience members of all ages to engage in deeper explorations of the work on the Goodman’s stages. In its 24th year, the Student Subscription Series works with over 40 Chicago public high schools each year to creatively supplement students’ reading, writing, critical thinking and communication skills.

Special matinee performances of Goodman productions are supplemented with exclusive teacher training workshops, educational guides and post-show discussions. CONTEXT: Discourse & Discussion is a series designed to engage the community in debate, dialogue and deeper exploration of themes within Goodman productions.

Unlike a traditional post-show discussion which centers on the production, CONTEXT events focus on particular issues raised within the plays and explore how they resonate in today’s culture. Cindy Bandle Young Critics (CBYC) is a joint venture between Goodman Theatre and the Association for Women Journalists that introduces 11th grade girls to the art of theater criticism and the world of professional writing.

Participants see every show in the Goodman’s season, interview theater artists and receive one-on-one mentoring from professional journalists. CBYC is named in honor of Goodman Theatre’s late, longtime Press Director, Cindy Bandle. General Theater Studies (GTS) is a six-week summer intensive for 14 – 19-year olds with a focus on critical thinking, literacy, oral history and storytelling.

Designed to validate student voices, help them examine their creativity and introduce them to the creation of theater, GTS is an ensemble-building program that culminates in an original student performance.

About Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies is located at 610 S Michigan Avenue in an environmentally sustainable facility designed by Chicago’s Krueck & Sexton Architects.

The building houses Spertus College, the Asher Library, and Spertus Museum, as well as a state-of-the-art theater for live performance and film, the innovative Gray Children’s Center, space for community events and celebrations, kosher catering facilities and a comprehensive book and gift shop.

Spertus is a Jewish institution grounded in Jewish values that invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the multifaceted Jewish experience. Through its innovative public programming, exhibitions, collections, research facilities and degree programs, Spertus inspires learning, serves diverse communities and fosters understanding for Jews and people of all faiths, locally, regionally and around the world.

Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies is a partner in serving our community, supported by the JUF/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

Learn more at Spertus.edu.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925.

Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards-including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet–and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman.

The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre. Board Chairman is Patricia Cox and Karen Pigott is President of the Women’s Board.

American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews at ExploreTheGoodman.org; catch the latest backstage news on the Goodman’s Blog, Goodman-Theatre.Blogspot.com; peek behind-the-scenes at YouTube.com/TheGoodmanTheatre; and Friend us at Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre.

Goodman Theatre and Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies Toast “High Holidays” with Dining Event Nov. 23 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Tickets are $25 – $83 and go on sale Friday, Nov. 13 at GoodmanTheatre.org.

In Hughie, high-rolling gambler Erie (Brian Dennehy) and Hughie (Joe Grifasi), the credulous night clerk at his apartment building, were confidants. Hughie admired Erie for his bold lifestyle and Erie considered Hughie his good luck charm.

When Hughie dies unexpectedly, Erie’s luck changes for the worse and he finds himself in dire straights. Then Erie meets the new night clerk, who reminds him enough of Hughie that he takes the gamble his luck is about to change.

Krapp’s Last Tape is Samuel Beckett’s classic one-act, one-man show. Every year on his birthday, self-absorbed Krapp records the important–and the banal–moments of the last year.

As he prepares to record a new tape on his 69th birthday, he begins to listen to his archives.

This immersion in his own history leads Krapp to question with growing regret whether his present lives up to his past. These conjoined productions were first performed to universal acclaim at Canada’s Stratford Shakespeare Festival in Summer 2008.

Tickets to Hughie/Krapp’s Last Tape ($25 – $83) go on sale Friday, November 13 (online at GoodmanTheatre.org) and Monday, Nov. 16 (by phone at 312-443-3800).

Season subscriptions and individual tickets can also be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone.

10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone. Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D.

All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312-443-3820.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925.

Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards-including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet–and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman.

The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre.

Board Chairman is Patricia Cox and Karen Pigott is President of the Women’s Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews at ExploreTheGoodman.org; catch the latest backstage news on the Goodman’s Blog, Goodman-Theatre.Blogspot.com; peek behind-the-scenes at YouTube.com/TheGoodmanTheatre; and Friend us at Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre.

Goodman Theatre Presents Broadway-Bound Double Bill “Hughie and Krapp’s Last Tape” Jan. 16 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

The holiday tradition of kids posing for photos with Old Saint Nick goes to the dogs when Goodman Theatre hosts its second-annual “Pooch on Scrooge” Saturday Nov. 14, from 9 – 11:30am at the theater (170 North Dearborn Street).

Well-behaved dogs (on leashes) are welcome to dress up for the occasion and pose for a “quick take” portrait with Ebenezer Scrooge of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (running in the Albert Theatre Nov. 20 – Dec. 31, 2009), by celebrated photographer David Sutton.

The event is free, though the Goodman suggests a donation of $10 for Season of Concern, a local organization which provides compassionate care to those in the theater community experiencing the effects of catastrophic illness.

There is limited capacity for this event; reservations are strongly recommended. RSVP at GoodmanTheatre.org/PoochOnScrooge and be automatically entered to win a free sitting with David Sutton at Sutton Studios.

Named “America’s Best Pet Photographer” by Forbes FYI, David Sutton has been photographing pets for over 15 years. His portraits of people and their pets have been featured extensively in national media including The Today Show and Animal Planet, as well as in the Chicago Tribune, Denver Post, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Chicago Sun-Times and Crain’s Chicago Business.

He has also exhibited his work in a number of prestigious venues including Hermé s of Paris and Takishimaya New York.

Each dog owner will receive a digital photo of their “Pooch on Scrooge,” perfect for holiday cards, witty e-mails and refrigerator doors.

The hound in the best holiday attire will win a gift basket, compliments of Barker and Meowsky – A Paw Firm, including tickets to the Goodman’s 32nd annual production of A Christmas Carol.

Goodman Theatre will admit only well-behaved, child-friendly, house-trained dogs on leashes. Owners should not bring aggressive/anti-social dogs or dogs that bite. The Goodman reserves the right to ask owners with poorly behaved dogs to leave the event.

A Christmas Carol performances begin November 20 (opening night is November 29) and run through Dec. 31 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre.

Tickets are $25 – $74 and may be purchased online at GoodmanTheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office (170 North Dearborn Street) or by phone at 312-443-3800.

Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor and Aon Corporation, AT&T and Chapman and Cutler are Corporate Sponsor Partners.

Goodman Theatre Presents “Pooch on Scrooge” Event Nov. 14; Bring Your Dog For a Picture with Ebenezer Scrooge | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

In a new production at the Almeida, Ruined will be directed by Indhu Rubasingham and feature Jenny Jules as Mama Nadi and Lucian Msamati as Christian.

The production will include original music by Dominic Kanza, as well as a new creative team including Robert Jones (set), Oliver Fenwick (lighting) and Christopher Shutt (sound).

Ruined was commissioned and developed at Goodman Theatre, where it received its world premiere in a co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club.

In addition to the Pulitzer, Ruined also received seven Best Play awards including the New York Critics’ Circle Award, two Drama Desk Awards, four OBIE Awards—and most recently, four Joseph Jefferson Awards.

Ruined was hailed as a “remarkable theatrical accomplishment! Dazzling!” (Chicago Tribune) and “explosive…brash, searing” (Chicago Sun-Times).

For its run at Manhattan Theatre Club, critics declared it “an intense and gripping new drama from one of our finest playwrights…the kind of play we desperately need” (NY1) and “a vibrant…superbly acted…deeply moving new play” (New York Post).

The Almeida is a 325-seat theater in the heart of Islington, London, producing a diverse range of British and international drama with some of the world’s best artists. Under the Artistic Directorship of Michael Attenborough, the Almeida has developed a reputation as a local theater with a world profile.

Artistic research and development programs at Goodman Theatre were initiated in 1988 through a gift from The Lester and Hope Abelson Fund for Artistic Development. Funding for artistic development, including the New Stages Series, has been provided, in part, by the Leading National Theatres Program, a joint initiative of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Artistic development of Ruined was sponsored, in part, by The Davee Foundation. Production support was provided by the Sara Lee Foundation, the Owen Season Corporate Sponsor; the World Premiere Season Sponsors; New Works Season Sponsors and the Director’s Society Sponsors.

About Goodman Theatre

Currently playing at the Goodman is Animal Crackers, book by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, directed by Henry Wishcamper (extended through Nov. 1, in the Albert).

Named the country’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925.

Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards—including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet—and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman.

The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre.

Board Chairman is Patricia Cox and Karen Pigott is President of the Women’s Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Pulitzer Prize-Winning “Ruined” by Lynn Nottage Makes Its London Debut at the Almeida Theatre April 15 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

In his 17th year with A Christmas Carol, Chicago actor/director William Brown stages the production hailed as “a joyous present for the entire family” (Chicago Sun-Times) and “ideal family fare, both heartwarming and spectacular in its familiar tale” (Chicago Tribune).

The 2009 production will feature a new hand-painted backdrop designed by Olivier- and Tony Award-winning set designer Todd Rosenthal, in addition to twelve newcomers to the production.

A Christmas Carol runs November 20 – December 31, 2009 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre.

Tickets are $25 – $74 and can be purchased online at GoodmanTheatre.org, at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312-443-3800.

Production sponsors for A Christmas Carol include Major Corporate Sponsor Harris Bank and Corporate Sponsor Partners Aon Corporation, AT&T and Chapman and Cutler LLP.

“As the annual holiday tradition for thousands of families, as well as the entry point to theater for a legion of young people, A Christmas Carol at the Goodman has made an astonishing impact on Chicago,” said Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who was instrumental in originating the production at Goodman Theatre 32 years ago.

“We are proud to consistently deliver the definitive holiday theatrical offering in our region—a first-rate, glorious production that has touched the lives of over a million theatergoers.”

New talents to this year’s production include John Babbo (River Forest) as Tiny Tim; Susan Felder (Chicago) as Mrs. Fezziwig; Jessie Mueller (Evanston) as Belle; Christine Sherrill (St. Charles) as Mrs. Cratchit; Behzad Dabu (Chicago) as Dick Wilkins; Matt Gold (Deerfield) as Turkey Boy; Lauren Patten (Downers Grove) as Martha Cratchit; Michael Perez (Chicago) as Mr. Ortle; Nathan Sabo (Darien) as Peter Cratchit and Scrooge as a Boy; Alex Weisman (Evanston) as Ghost of Christmas Past; Mackenzie Wilkin (Wilmette) as Belinda Cratchit and Fan; Andy Truschinski (Chicago) as Young Scrooge and Ghost of Christmas Future.

Veteran Chicago actors returning to the production include Tim Gittings as Topper; Caroline Heffernan as Emily Cratchit; Katie Jeep as Abby; Anish Jethmalani as Ghost of Jacob Marley; Anne Joseph as Mrs. Crumb; Adam Poss as Percy, Ron Rains as Bob Cratchit; Matt Schwader as Fred; Brett Tuomi as Mr. Fezziwig; and Penelope Walker as Ghost of Christmas Present. Also returning to the production are musicians Justin Amolsch, Greg Hirte, Bethany Jorgensen and Malcolm Ruhl (Highland Park).

Based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol is the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who is opposed to holiday cheer and indifferent to the sufferings of the poor in Victorian London.

Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who offer him the opportunity to sympathize with his fellow man. Dickens’ famous characters include Scrooge’s kind-hearted clerk, Bob Cratchit, and his family, including Tiny Tim; the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future; the merry-making Fezziwig couple; and the Ghost of Jacob Marley.

Throughout its history at the Goodman, over 1 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol and the production has hosted six directors, seven Scrooges, 27 Tiny Tims, and nearly 20,000 “Bah, Humbug!”s.

Bio information for the company and Todd Rosenthal (Set Designer), Heidi Sue McMath (Costume Designer), Robert Christen (Lighting Designer), Cecil Averett (Sound Designer), Susan Hart (Choreographer) and Andy Hansen (Composer/Music Director) is available through Goodman Theatre’s Publicity Office.

Tickets to A Christmas Carol ($25 – $74) are currently on sale at GoodmanTheatre.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312-443-3800.

Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone. 10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone.

Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312-443-3820.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews at ExploreTheGoodman.org; catch the latest backstage news on the Goodman’s Blog, Goodman-Theatre.Blogspot.com; peek behind-the-scenes at YouTube.com/TheGoodmanTheatre; and Friend us at Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925.

Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards—including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet—and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman.

The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre.

Board Chairman is Patricia Cox and Karen Pigott is President of the Women’s Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

Chicago Premier Holiday Tradition “A Christmas Carol” at Goodman Theatre Nov. 20 to Dec. 31 | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

Director Henry Wishcamper’s production of this rarely staged Marx Brothers classic musical has been hailed “pure pleasure” (Time Out Chicago) in which “not a minute goes by when the audience isn’t being awed by the spectacle (and) astonished by the breakneck comic mayhem.” (Daily Herald).

Casting note: for all performances during the extension week, Mara Davi and Tony Yazbeck will be replaced by their understudies, Katie Spelman and Patrick Sarb.

Production Sponsor Partners for Animal Crackers include Abbott, Mayer Brown LLP, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and the Major Production Sponsor for Animal Crackers is Goodman Theatre’s Women’s Board.

Added performances of Animal Crackers include:

• Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, October 29 at 2pm and 7:30pm
• Friday, October 30 at 8pm
• Saturday, October 31 at 8pm
• Sunday, November 1 at 2pm (closing)

In Animal Crackers, chaos ensues at the Long Island estate of Mrs. Rittenhouse when a celebrated painting goes missing during a party honoring the African explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding.

The Marx Brothers unleash a series of comic antics as the guests set out to find the burglar, amidst two sets of love interests and a variety of madcap subplots. Written by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, with music and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, Animal Crackers at the Goodman features a virtuosic cast of nine: Joey Slotnick leads the antics as the African explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding—the vaudevillian persona created by Groucho Marx for the 1928 stage original.

Joining Slotnick in the roles originated by the other Marx Brothers are Molly Brennan as The Professor (Harpo); Jonathan Brody as Emanuel Ravelli (Chico); and Ed Kross as Horatio Jamison (Zeppo).

Also featured in the ensemble cast are Ora Jones as Mrs. Rittenhouse; Jessie Mueller as Grace Carpenter; Tony Yazbeck as Wally Winston; Mara Davi as Arabella Rittenhouse; and Stanley Wayne Mathis as Hives.

Tickets to Animal Crackers ($25 – $76) are currently on sale at GoodmanTheatre.org.

Tickets can also be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312-443-3800.

Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone.

10Tix are $10 mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone.

Valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets. Limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312-443-3820.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews at ExploreTheGoodman.org; catch the latest backstage news on the Goodman’s Blog, Goodman-Theatre.Blogspot.com; peek behind-the-scenes at YouTube.com/TheGoodmanTheatre; and Friend us at Facebook.com/GoodmanTheatre.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carly Leviton, 312-443-5151
Press@GoodmanTheatre.org

Goodman Theatre Announces Six More Performances of Animal Crackers | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.

On Friday, September 18, “Laughter, merriment, and general carrying-on is expected and encouraged, in honor of Goodman Theatre’s production of Animal Crackers,” wrote Mayor Richard M. Daley, proclaiming this day “Laugh Out Loud Day” in Chicago. “(I) urge all Chicagoans to take a moment to laugh out loud as they reacquaint themselves with the Marx Brothers and the Goodman’s madcap musical,” Daley said.

Starting at 12 noon on “Laugh Out Loud Day,” cast members from Animal Crackers deliver a sneak peek of the show, performing a sampling of musical acts at Macy’s on State Street (1st Floor, Handbag Department).

Chicagoans of all ages can meet “Groucho Marx,” receive a pair of Groucho glasses* and take home an Animal Crackers-inspired creation from a balloon artist. Stop by the Estée Lauder counter, with Groucho glasses in hand, to receive a complimentary consultation and gift with purchase. Register to win a four-pack of Animal Crackers tickets at the Macy’s Express Desk with any purchase made on September 18. *One per customer, while supplies last.

The mayhem continues at select Loop locations—including Borders and Petterino’s—throughout the day as patrons can enter to win tickets to Animal Crackers and spot “Groucho,” as he makes his way to the first performance of Animal Crackers at Goodman Theatre (170 North Dearborn) at 8pm that evening.

Animal Crackers runs Sept. 18—Oct. 25, 2009 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre. Production Sponsors include Abbott, Mayer Brown LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and Goodman Theatre’s Women’s Board.

Tickets to Animal Crackers ($25 – $76) are currently on sale at GoodmanTheatre.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312-443-3800.

About Animal Crackers and the Marx Brothers

Chaos ensues at the Long Island estate of Mrs. Rittenhouse when a celebrated piece of art goes missing during a party honoring the African explorer Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding. The Marx Brothers unleash a series of comic antics as the guests set out to find the burglar, amidst two sets of love interests and a variety of madcap subplots.

Written as a vehicle for the Marx Brothers and widely remembered as one of the first in their series of now-classic films, Animal Crackers began its legendary life as one of the great Broadway musical successes of the 1920s. Bookwriters George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind and composers/lyricists Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar tailored Animal Crackers to showcase the brothers’ unique talents: Groucho delivered his signature one-liners as Captain Spaulding, Chico utilized his Italian accent and piano skills as Emanuel Ravelli, Harpo played the silent Professor and Zeppo took on the role of the straight man, Jamison.

The stage version of Animal Crackers premiered on October 23, 1928, and ran for a nearly unprecedented 191 performances; also featured in that original cast were the great Margaret Dumont (who had already achieved some fame as the Brothers’ favorite foil) and future Hollywood choreographer Hermes Pan. The production toured the country, was captured on celluloid in 1930, and completed the ascension of the Marx Bros. to worldwide fame—but ironically, ended their stage careers. They moved to Hollywood the following year, never to return to Broadway; the stage version of Animal Crackers was consigned to the archives, considered unproduceable without its original stars. More than 50 years would pass before theater audiences would again see the play via a revival at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage. The show’s brashness and charm bowled over critics and audiences, and sparked productions in Boston, Connecticut and the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End.

Born in New York between 1887 and 1901—and spending nearly a decade in Chicago, beginning in 1910—the Marx Brothers (Groucho, Chico, Harpo and Zeppo) made their stage debuts in a vaudeville singing act, but soon discovered their true talents lay in comedy. As they shifted focus of their act, they developed their now-famous onstage personas and uniquely outrageous style of comedy. After years of honing shtick in vaudeville houses across the nation, the brothers earned an enviable booking at New York’s Palace Theatre. In the mid-1920s, they left vaudeville to star in three Broadway shows: I’ll Say She Is (1924), The Cocoanuts (1925) and finally Animal Crackers (1928).

Paramount Pictures made both The Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers into films in which the brothers reprised their roles. After Animal Crackers, they left Broadway to focus exclusively on filmmaking; they starred in Horse Feathers, Monkey Business and Duck Soup with Paramount Pictures in the early 1920s. Despite the success of these films, Zeppo grew dissatisfied with his status as the least funny Marx Brother and left the act. Groucho, Chico and Harpo went on to make some of their best-known films with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, At the Circus, Go West and The Big Store. In the late 1940s, the brothers reunited for two more films, A Night in Casablanca and Love Happy. In the 1950s and ’60s, the brothers went their separate ways, sometimes appearing on television: Groucho hosted the game show You Bet Your Life from 1950 to 1961, and Harpo made a memorable guest appearance opposite Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925. Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards-including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and Pulitzer Prizes for Ruined by Lynn Nottage and Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet-and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad.

Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman’s Artistic Collective, including Brian Dennehy, Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman.

The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre. Board Chairman-Elect is Patricia Cox and Karen Pigott is President of the Women’s Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carly Leviton, 312-443-5151
Press@GoodmanTheatre.org

Mayor Daley Declares Sept. 18 “Laugh Out Loud Day” in Chicago, Honoring Goodman Theatre’s Animal Crackers | Chicago Press Release Services - Chicago's leading press release newswire service; professional press release services, press release distribution and newswire services.