Goodman Theatre

For Immediate Release

(Chicago, IL - April 10, 2008) After a successful inaugural year, Goodman Theatre once again serves as a hub at Looptopia, the nation's only dusk-to-dawn cultural and artistic spectacle in the downtown loop. Goodman's 2008 offering is a partnership with Serendipity Theatre Collective's 2nd Story series presenting an evening of storytelling centered around the Goodman experience. From 11:30pm to 2am the theater's lobby becomes a lounge as the bars stay open, Miles Beyond plays music and storytellers entertain with tales from behind the Goodman scenes.

At 11:30pm three storytellers will begin their performances in the lobby and will repeat them three times over the course of the evening. Patrons are invited to purchase a drink in the bar and listen to one of the three cycles. Storytellers include Megan Stielstra, Matthew Miller and Ric Walker.

Beginning at 5pm on Friday, May 2, and continuing until the following morning, Looptopia showcases the vibrancy and excitement of Chicago's historic Loop neighborhood through musical and theatrical performances, unique shopping and dining opportunities, indoor programs, outdoor exhibitions, architectural tours, artistic installations and mesmerizing light displays. Inspired by "White Night" events in Rome, Montreal and Paris, Looptopia features over 75 events staged throughout the Loop including theaters, museums, gardens, plazas, cultural halls, storefronts, night clubs, libraries, cinemas, restaurants, loading docks and alleyways.

2nd Story is a hybrid performance event combining storytelling, wine, and music that is produced by the Serendipity Theater Collective as both a monthly performance series and an annual festival. A typical 2nd Story evening begins as patrons enjoy themselves at Webster's Wine Bar enjoying the atmosphere and the wine. Periodically thou ought the evening, the lights go down, a spot comes up on somebody-maybe the person sitting next to you!-and they begin to perform a story. The goal by the end of the night is to send each audience member away telling their own stories.

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 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 is the Goodman's Artistic Collective, including 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 Shawn M. Donnelley and Alice Young Sabl is president of the Women's Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Kraft Foods is the Principal Sponsor of the free Student Subscription Series. For more information, including a detailed schedule of events for Looptopia, visit www.looptopia.com. For more information about Serendipity Theatre Collective visit www.serendipitytheatre.org.

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