Celebrate a Century of Stage Brilliance: Goodman Theatre’s 100 Years of Innovation in Chicago

The renowned Goodman Theatre in Chicago is marking its 100th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of theatrical brilliance and pioneering performances.

As a cornerstone of Chicago’s vibrant arts scene, this esteemed institution is conveniently located near the ABC7 Chicago studio, highlighting its integral role in the city’s cultural landscape.

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At the heart of this celebration, storytellers reflect on the theatre’s ability to bring entertainment, enlightenment, and magic to life under the spotlight.

For a century, Goodman Theatre has captivated audiences, offering a rich tapestry of performances filled with applause, excitement, and imagination.

Originally staged near the Art Institute, this dramatic beacon now shines brightly within the Loop theater district, a testament to its enduring influence.

Among its notable contributors is Chicago’s own Harry Lennix, a steadfast figure both on stage and behind the scenes, shaping productions at Goodman Theatre.

The Goodman has a special awareness of diversity and inclusion.

“There’s a community agreement we have, where respect and representation is going to be reflective of the society which we intend to interpret dramatically,” Lennix said. “It makes it a kind of refuge or a sanctuary.”

Susan Booth joined the Goodman in the 90s, developing new plays. She’s now artistic director.

The Goodman has endured as a legacy theater when so many other places have fallen by the wayside.

“I remember learning right away, if there was such a thing as a Goodman style, it was that we treated new plays with the reverence you usually accord a classic. And we treated classics as if they’d never been done before and they needed to live compellingly in this moment,” Booth said. “That attention to the moment a play lands in, that I think is the Goodman’s secret sauce.”

Chuck Smith has been a creative force at the Goodman for over three decades.

He’s played a key role in bringing August Wilson’s powerful stories to the stage.

“Our African American participation and the audiences coming to see shows has grown tremendously, and I think I have something to do with that. And I’m very proud of that,” Smith said.

Robert Falls has been galvanizing the audacious pursuits as the visionary artistic director for over 35 years.

“I watched the theater grow into an important, if not the best theater companies in America, certainly the best city for theater,” Falls said. “To really be able to make work and watch other people make exciting work is what it’s all about. And I’ve been very proud to be an enormous part of it just in years alone.”