Goodman Theatre

For Immediate Release

(Chicago, IL) Today at 3pm Eastern DST (2pm Central) Lynn Nottage joined the ranks of Eugene O'Neill, August Wilson and Arthur Miller when Columbia University announced her receipt of the prestigious 2009 Pulitzer Prize in Drama for her play Ruined. As the 78th recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, Nottage is first woman to receive the Prize since Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog in 2002 and, after Parks, is only the second African American woman ever to receive it. This award marks the first world-premiere production from Goodman Theatre (Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer) to receive a Pulitzer Prize in Drama—the Goodman's American premiere production of Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet won in 1984—and the second consecutive Prize awarded for a play hailing from Chicago (Tracy Letts' August: Osage County in 2008). Columbia University awards this $10,000 Prize "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life" based on the recommendation of this year's Pulitzer Drama Jurors Dominic Papatola (Chair; Theater Critic, St. Paul Pioneer Press), John M. Clum (Chair, Department of Theater Studies, Duke University), Jim Hebert (Theater Critic, San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune), David Henry Hwang (Playwright, Brooklyn, NY) and Linda Winer (Theater Critic, Newsday). Nottage will accept the Prize during a luncheon ceremony at Columbia University' Low Library in May. Nominated finalists for the 2009 Prize include: Becky Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo and In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes.

"I am delighted that Lynn and Ruined have been recognized in this most honorable, distinguished of ways," said Artistic Director Robert Falls. "This gorgeous, heart-breaking new play received overwhelming critical and audience response during its extended Chicago, and repeatedly extended New York runs—it's a unique, remarkable piece of theater that will take its place among the canon of the greats. This is a proud day for the Goodman, and for Chicago theater."

A Goodman Theatre commission, Ruined was first seen in the Goodman's 2007 New Stages Series, followed by its world premiere at the Goodman (which opened November 17 through December 14, 2008 in a co-production with Manhattan Theatre Club) directed by Kate Whoriskey as part of the "Strong Women, Strong Voices" Owen Theatre Series. 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). Ruined was developed through Nottage and Whoriskey's pilgrimage to Uganda—where countless interviews and interactions resulted in a portrait of the lives of the women and girls caught in the devastating armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Set in the present civil war-ravaged DRC, Ruined is the captivating story of Mama Nadi, the owner of a canteen who serves up everything from a cold beer and a warm meal—to the company of a woman. Through the eyes of this savvy businesswoman who both protects and profits from the women whose bodies have become battlegrounds, Nottage captures the constantly shifting allegiances and tragic consequences that marks the civil war in the DRC. Ruined, rendered with Nottage's trademark humanity, clarity and surprising humor, gives a glimpse of a country that has suffered immeasurable losses since the beginning of the war that has raged for more than a decade.

Chicago's Jeff Recommended run of Ruined was performed at Goodman Theatre from November 8 – December 14 in an extended run that received great critical and popular acclaim and played to 93% capacity. The show then moved to Manhattan Theatre Club's New York City Center – Stage I on January 21; performances have been extended by popular demand through May 10. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Ruined has also received three Lucille Lortel Award nominations, for Outstanding Play (Lynn Nottage), Outstanding Director (Kate Whoriskey) and Outstanding Lead Actress (Saidah Arrika Ekulona); and five Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play (Ruined), Outstanding Lead Actress (Saidah Arrika Ekulona), Outstanding Featured Actor (Russell G. Jones), Outstanding Featured Actress (Condola Phyleia Rashad) and Outstanding Lighting Design (Peter Kaczorowski), becoming the most nominated Off-Broadway production in 2009, and tying with 33 Variations and Waiting for Godot as the most nominated Broadway or Off-Broadway play this season.

The cast of Ruined includes Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Cherise Boothe, Chris Chalk, Saidah Arrika Ekulona, William Jackson Harper, Chiké Johnson, Russell G. Jones, Simon Shabantu Kashama, Kevin Mambo, Tom Mardirosian, Ron McBee and Condola Phyleia Rashad. The design team and additional artists include Derek McLane (Set), Paul Tazewell (Costumes), Peter Kaczorowski (Lighting), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (Sound), Dominic Kanza (Original Music), and Randy Duncan (Movement Director).

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.

Currently playing and still ahead in Goodman Theatre's 2008/2009 season is Ghostwritten by Naomi Iizuka, directed by Lisa Portes (through May 3 in the Owen); Rock 'n' Roll by Tom Stoppard, directed by Charles Newell (May 2 – June 7 in the Albert); The Crowd You're In With by Rebecca Gilman, directed by Wendy C. Goldberg (May 23 – June 21 in the Owen); and Boleros for the Disenchanted by José Rivera, directed by Henry Godinez (June 20 – July 26 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 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 Shawn M. Donnelley and Karen Pigott is President of the Women's Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Kraft Foods is the Principal Sponsor of the Goodman's free Student Subscription Series. Northern Trust is a longstanding supporter of the Goodman's Education and Community Programs.