Goodman's Betrayal: Helen Hunt, Robert Sean Leonard, and Ian Barford

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 5:59pm

This was not on my radar, but it's worth a trip to Chicago.  Looks like a new production of Fool for Love is also going on at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company at the same time. 

Anything else happening in Chicago mid-February?  I'm cold just thinking about it, but I'm already sold on going!

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 6:10pm

It is the rare production almost anywhere in Chicago that doesn't make TodayTix for Chicago Hot Tix at some point. 

As far as what else might be playing, this site offers a fairly decent listing of what is/will be playing:

https://www.theatreinchicago.com/

I also always check the Harris Center offerings as they tend to be eclectic and don't always get represented in other places:

https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/upcoming-events

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 6:17pm

Lookingglass is doing a new production, Circus Quixote... in the past their circus shows have been incredibly impressive and often dramaturgically sound. Since this is new... can't speak for how successful it is but I have tiny hopes. The Court is doing a production of A Raisin in the Sun that we know very little about yet but I'd imagine there might be at least a little bit of added resonance seeing it just a few blocks from the neighborhood Hansbury based the fictional "Clybourne Park" on.

The production of Fool for Love was supposed to have a big star in it but they bailed... what we have instead are some magnificent Steppenwolf ensemble members and that may actually have been the best case scenario anyway. Caroline Neff should be brilliant in that role. 

While I'm sure Betrayal will be fantastic... one does sort of scratch their head at the casting. Helen Hunt is 61 and her character is 29-38 over the course of the play. Ian Barford (58) and Robert Sean Leonard (55) play characters that have an age range of 31-40. 

 

 

 

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 6:29pm

Obviously this production of Betrayal is being aged up for some dramaturgical reason

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 7:26pm

I agree that it's odd to have the three characters of Betrayal be in their 50's/60's instead of their 30's. I'm guessing that The Goodman wants their target demographic to feel "represented" onstage, lol. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 7:34pm

Jason and JK: Thank you!  WIll check those out.  If you wouldn't mind, please let me know if you see anything pop up between now and February that strikes your fancy!

As for the aging, that doesn't really bother me.  I'm curious how this will work, but also, how old were Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz when they did this on Broadway, more or less early 40s?  

Personally, I've always wanted to see Hunt on stage.  Something about her makes me think she could really kill it. 

Reminds me of finally seeing Diane Lane on stage at the Goodman.  Damn I wish that production would have transferred.  In my opinion: Cromer's best.

Updated On: 11/14/24 at 07:34 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 8:47pm

With everything else in the industry constantly going younger, I’m excited to see this version. I’ve only ever seen the one with Tom H that had no set or anything so I think the story just didn’t really grab me. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 9:01pm

Play Esq. said: "Jason and JK: Thank you! WIll check those out. If you wouldn't mind, please let me know if you see anything pop up between now and February that strikes your fancy!"

If you like contemporary dance, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (HSDC) is up February 13-16 and they consistently deliver outstanding performances:

https://www.hubbardstreetdance.com/season-47/about-season-47/winter-series-feb-13-16-2025/

The theater is big so tickets almost always get discounted 30-40% a few weeks before the show on one or more of the discount sites.  The opening night sometimes is held back.

 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 9:10pm

JasonC3 said: "Play Esq. said: "Jason and JK: Thank you! WIll check those out. If you wouldn't mind, please let me know if you see anything pop up between now and February that strikes your fancy!"

Jason: I thank you so much for this! But, guilty admission, pure dance (ballet, contemporary, etc) has just never been a medium I could access. I appreciate it, but not really for me. 

I did look at the Harris thanks to you (which was previously unknown to me) and saw a number of performances I would travel for to see, so thank you for that, they are now on my radar!

The CSO has a good program while I’m visiting, so will probably chose that. Sadly, the Lyric season is so blah this year. Especially compared to last year’s inspired season (a few predictions at least). 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 9:37pm

Wait Wait Don't Tell me often tapes in downtown Chicago on Thursday nights.  If you enjoy the show the tapings are a fun experience and again, tickets are often discounted on TodayTix.

[scripps]

Posted: 11/14/24 at 10:41pm

Thanks for posting this. It might finally be time to make the trip to visit my friend in Chicago.

Updated On: 11/14/24 at 10:41 PM