Goodman Theatre Launches Month of Lorraine Hansberry Celebration

From April 30-June 5, in conjunction with a production of playwright Lorraine Hansberry's final work, "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window," Goodman Theatre presents a Lorraine Hansberry Celebration, curated by Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith. Honoring Hansberry's life and career, the celebration will consist of programs and performances that focus on the author's Chicago roots, the forces that shaped her groundbreaking work and her legacy.

"Chicago native Lorraine Hansberry is, of course, best known for 'A Raisin in the Sun,' her searing and revelatory portrait of the Younger family and its pursuit of the American dream. Although the characters in her equally ambitious but rarely-produced 'The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window' occupy another place and time -- Greenwich Village in the turbulent 1960s -- they are also dreamers who yearn to secure their rightful place in the American landscape," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "The questions that Hansberry posed more than 50 years ago remain just as relevant in 2016: What are the core values of our society? Who among those in power speaks my truth? Should I take action or watch passively from the sidelines? We welcome the opportunity to revisit these essential questions with Anne Kauffman's exciting new production of 'The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window,' and to celebrate Lorraine Hansberry's legacy as one of America's most important playwrights."

In addition to scholarly discussions and events designed to highlight her life and career, the celebration will culminate in two major events: Lorraine Hansberry Day as proclaimed by the City of Chicago (May 19), commemorating what would have been Hansberry's 86th birthday and The Lorraine Hansberry Awards (May 24), honoring five African-American women, all natives of Chicago and contemporaries of Hansberry, whose work helped transform the American theater. For celebration information and tickets, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Hansberry.

Blue Cross Blue Shield and Proskauer Rose are Contributing Sponsors, and Mesirow Financial is the Discussion Series Sponsor.

At the center of the celebration is Obie Award winning director Anne Kauffman's revival of "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window," Hansberry's final work which premiered on Broadway just three months before her death at age 34 in 1965. Set in Greenwich Village 1964 -- a magnet for ideals and activism of every stripe -- the work eerily reflects today's political climate, holding up a mirror to the injustice and corruption of the contemporary world. As Sidney gets increasingly swept up in the radical issues of the day, however, he ignores the equally dangerous tension mounting between himself and his wife Iris, the one person he holds most dear.

"When I met Anne close to 10 years ago, her passion and commitment to the play was abundantly clear. I view this edition as an examination of Lorraine's wishes and intentions, and a chance to find the most effective ways to achieve them. We couldn't be happier that the Goodman jumped on board to produce it," said Joi Gresham, Executive Director & Trustee, Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust. "Lorraine was dying when she wrote this play. She was thinking about the end of her life, the things to which she was most committed, and what it meant to be fully engaged in the world. Those powerful questions are reaching us here and now in 2016."

"The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" appears in the Goodman's 856-seat Albert Theatre starting April 30. Tickets ($25-$75, as well as special $10 student tickets) are on sale now; visit GoodmanTheatre.org, call 312-443-3800 or purchase in person at the Box Office at 170 N. Dearborn. Goodman Theatre Women's Board is the Major Production Sponsor; Edelman and ITW are Corporate Sponsor Partners; and WBEZ 91.5 is the Media Partner.

"During her all-too-brief life and career, Lorraine Hansberry left an indelible mark on the American theater. It has been an honor and a pleasure to curate the celebration of this great literary giant -- and one of my personal heroes," said Smith, who directed a major revival of "A Raisin in the Sun" at the Goodman in 2000. "The rich history of the Hansberry family in Chicago is always worthy of discussion. Since performances of 'The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window' are scheduled throughout May, the month of Lorraine's birth, a celebration seemed in order. Highlights include exploring Lorraine's lesser-known works like 'Les Blancs' and 'To Be Young, Gifted and Black.' I'm looking forward to sharing a fascinating journey through the life and works of this legendary artist."

EVENTS

Events take place at Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, unless otherwise noted.

"The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" directed by Anne Kauffman
April 30 - June 5
$20-75 ($10 Student tickets), Full schedule, tickets and more info: GoodmanTheatre.org/TheSign
"The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window" follows Sidney Brustein in Greenwich Village, 1964 -- a magnet for ideals and activism of every stripe. At its center is Brustein's apartment, the gathering place for an eclectic group of bohemians during a time of rapid change. As Sidney gets increasingly swept up in the radical issues of the day, however, he ignores the equally dangerous tension mounting between himself and his wife Iris, the one person he holds most dear.

The Chuck Smith Lecture Series: "In Her Own Words: The Lorraine Hansberry/Studs Terkel Interview"
Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m.
FREE, Reservations Required
After the historic Broadway premiere of "A Raisin in the Sun," legendary Chicago journalist Studs Terkel spoke with Lorraine Hansberry, resulting in one of her most incisive and personal interviews. Revisit this extraordinary look into Hansberry's life and art with Northwestern University professor and Hansberry scholar Harvey Young and Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith.

Artist Encounter: "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window"
Sunday, May 8 at 5 p.m.
$5 for the general public; Free for Subscribers, Donors and students.
Join Anne Kauffman, director of "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window," and Joi Gresham, executive director of the Lorraine Hansberry Literary Trust, as they discuss the complex historical, political and social themes of Hansberry's final play.

Scholar Discussion: "A Raisin in the Sun" and "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window"
Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
FREE, Reservations Required.
Harvey Young analyzes Lorraine Hansberry's first and last plays, focusing on the author's social activism and the political movements each work predicted. Noted Chicago actors read excerpts from each play will be read by some of Chicago's most noted actors.

Carl Hansberry: His World and Legacy | A Bus Tour of South Side Chicago
Saturday, May 14 at 10:30 a.m. Departure from the Goodman Theatre; Tour lasts approximately two hours
$15 for the general public; $10 for Subscribers, Donors and Students.
Architecture critic and writer Lee Bey leads a bus tour of the South Side neighborhoods where Hansberry grew up -- and tells the inspiring story of her father, realtor and activist Carl Hansberry, and his fight against some of the most restrictive housing laws in the country.

Scholar Discussion: "The Drinking Gourd" and "What Use Are Flowers?"
Monday, May 16 at 7 p.m.
FREE, Reservations Required.
Director and writer Coya Paz leads an in-depth look at two of Hansberry's unproduced works: the teleplays "The Drinking Gourd" and "What Use Are Flowers?" The evening will feature excerpts from these rarely-performed works, as well as contextual discussions of race, justice and the power artists hold to incite change.

Scholar Discussion: "Les Blancs"
Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m.
Arts Incubator, 301 E. Garfield Blvd.
FREE, Reservations Required.
Completed after her death and not performed until 1970, "Les Blancs," Hansberry's complex chronicle of race, oppression and an Africa on the brink of colonial revolt is discussed by Northwestern University professor Ivy Wilson, author of "Specters of Democracy: Blackness and the Aesthetics of Nationalism." Scenes from the play will be performed by local actors.

"Lorraine Hansberry Day," Proclaimed by Rahm Emanuel in honor of Hansberry's birthday
Thursday, May 19
The Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement, Goodman Theatre
FREE, Reservations required.
On what would have been her 86th birthday, the City of Chicago and Mayor Rahm Emanuel proclaim May 19, 2016 "Lorraine Hansberry Day" in Chicago in honor of her life, legacy and impact on the city of Chicago and the American Theater. Enjoy special events at the new Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement at the Goodman. Check the web site for activities on this day including a free screening of "A Raisin in the Sun."

Scholar Discussion: "To Be Young, Gifted and Black:" How Much Has Changed?
Monday, May 23 at 6:30 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Pritzker Auditorium, 400 S. State St.
FREE, Reservations Required.
Director and critic Dani Snyder-Young explores Hansberry's autobiography in an interactive analysis of Hansberry's background as it relates to contemporary urban education, intersections between race and class and the ways in which African American women learn to navigate public life. Excerpts from the book will be performed by playwright and actor Lydia R. Diamond.

The Lorraine Hansberry Awards. Hosted by Chuck Smith and Woodie King, Jr.
Tuesday, May 24 at 7 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; Accessible Entrance at 77 E. Randolph St.
FREE, Reservations Required I LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Presented by Goodman Resident Director Chuck Smith, New Federal Theatre Artistic Director Woodie King, Jr. and members of the Hansberry family, these one-time-only awards honor the unique cultural contributions of five Lorraine Hansberry contemporaries -- African-American women who were raised and educated in Chicago, and who went on to make indelible impacts on the American theater. Goodman Theatre is proud to honor these artists, whose work and legacies mirror the pioneering spirit of Hansberry.

These distinguished honorees include:

� Micki Grant, singer, actress and composer
� Lynn Hamilton, actress
� Shauneille Perry, playwright and director
� Dr. Glory Van Scott, actress, dancer and educator
� Camille Yarbrough, musician, actress, poet, producer and activist