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BY YORK WALKER
DIRECTED BY MALKIA STAMPLEY

“Highly entertaining.“

– Chicago Tribune

Covenant

May 2 - June 7, 2026 in Goodman's Owen Theatre

Around 1 hour and 40 minutes, no intermission.

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH June 7!

“Everybody got a secret.”

Expect one devilish twist after another in Covenant, a mythic and suspenseful new play hailed as “blackout-and-blood-curdling-scream deliciousness” (New York Magazine), “undeniably spooky (and) absolutely enjoyable” (TheaterMania). He left the small Georgia town a struggling guitarist—and returned a blues star. As rumors of a darker deal abound, it becomes clear that he’s not the only one with a secret….or seeking salvation. This “striking Southern gothic work” (New York Times) explores the power of belief and the thin line between rumor and truth.

Recommended for ages 15+

COVENANT contains mature content including depictions and discussions of violence, sex and sexuality, strong language, and alcohol use. This production includes strobe lights, the sound of gunfire and sudden loud noises.

Is JOHNNY playing an instrument of the enemy or is MAMA being overly cautious? You be the judge.

RUTHIE tries to make JOHNNY an offer he can’t refuse.

Audiences are loving the unexpected twists and turns in Covenant. Extended by popular demand through June 7!

Johnny’s back…but he might be up to no good. Dive into this scene from Covenant to get a glimpse of why critics are heralding this “brilliant piece of artistry” (Rolling Out).

Covenant will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The cast on why they’re excited to be a part of this production. HINT: mystery and suspense!

Covenant‘s playwright York Walker and director Malkia Stampley share their own secrets.

Playwright York Walker and director Malkia Stampley explore how Black horror movies and the mysterious lore of a blues legend were the inspiration behind Covenant.

A struggling guitarist turned blues star isn’t the only one with a secret….Covenant is on stage starting May 2.

Covenant | By York Walker | Scene 2 | On Stage Through June 7 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | By York Walker | Scene 3 | On Stage Through June 7 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | By York Walker | Audience Testimonials | On Stage Through June 7 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | Written by York Walker | Scene 1 | On Stage Through June 7 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | By York Walker | On Stage Through May 31 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | Playwright York Walker | Director Malkia Stampley | Reel | On Stage May 2 | The Goodman
Covenant | York Walk & Malkia Stampley Interview | On Stage May 2 - May 31 | Goodman Theatre
Covenant | Written by York Walker | :30 Trailer | On Stage May 2 - May 31 | Goodman Theatre

Group Tickets: Now available for 10+, email Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org for information on select discounted rates and perks.

Questions? Need help? Contact the box office at (312) 443-3800, 12noon – 5pm, daily.

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Special Events

Pre-show programming, unique performances, and related programming.

Concluded
A red vintage typewriter with a sheet of white paper inserted, viewed from above on a white background.

Friday, May 8 @ 6:00pm – 7:15pm

CONTEXT: Covenant Behind the Curtain

Explore the line between superstition and belief and the historical forces that shaped this haunting story.
Concluded
A small glass bottle of yellow oil, a wooden bowl with wrapped soaps, a bar of soap, and eucalyptus leaves arranged on a white surface.

Saturday, May 23 @ 12:00pm – 7:30pm

Hidden GEMS: (Goodman Entrepreneur Market) Pop-up

Experience local makers from Chicagoland before and after the matinee and before the evening performances of "Covenant".

CRITICAL PRAISE

“A SUSPENSEFUL SOUTHERN GOTHIC GHOST STORY THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“BONE CHILLING.”

Chicago Theatre Review

“A MUST-SEE PRODUCTION. KEEPS THE AUDIENCE ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEAT.”

Rolling Out

“HIGHLY ENTERTAINING.”

Chicago Tribune

“HORROR FANS WHO ENJOY BEING SPOOKED LIVE IN THE THEATER WILL APPRECIATE THIS.”

BroadwayWorld

 “MS. STAMPLEY’S NAIL-BITING PRODUCTION IS FILLED WITH POWERFUL PERFORMANCES.”

Chicago Theatre Review

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

“THE STORYTELLING IS GREAT WITH FANTASTIC TWISTS. COVENANT IS ANOTHER NOTCH IN A WONDERFUL SEASON AT THE GOODMAN. “

Johnna P. via

“THIS IS A SOUL-SHAKING WORK OF ART! KUDOS TO THE ENTIRE TEAM. IT WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!”

Patricia A. via

“THE LEVEL OF ACTING, SET DESIGN AND LIGHTING WAS TOP TIER AND BROADWAY WORTHY. IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SEEING THIS SHOW, YOU SHOULD!”

Marli W. via

“EXCELLENT ACTORS, GREAT MYSTERY SCRIPT, VERY ENTERTAINING…BUT PUT YOUR THINKING CAP ON.”

Yvonne C. via

“COVENANT HAD SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL ACTING I HAVE EXPERIENCED IN ALL OF MY YEARS OF THEATER ATTENDANCE.”

Claudia C. B. via

“BEST PLAY I’VE EVER SEEN. FELT LIKE I WAS WATCHING A HORROR MOVIEW LIVE. IF YOU LIKED THE MOVIE SINNERS, THIS PLAY IS 100% UP YOUR ALLEY!”

@im.miyyaa via

Three women in white dresses kneel onstage, dramatically gesturing around a metal basin, illuminated by a lit lantern in the foreground.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
Four people stand around a woman kneeling beside a suitcase on stage; the scene suggests a dramatic moment in a theatrical performance.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
A woman leans on a wooden table, looking concerned, with a wooden cross on the wall behind her in a dimly lit room.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
Two women in vintage dresses sit on a wooden porch, smiling and laughing, with wheat stalks and a silhouetted tree in the background, under stage lighting.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
A person in a white dress stands in a dark space, holding a lit lantern aloft, illuminating their face and upper body.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
A man holding a guitar sits on a bench, looking up and smiling at a woman standing beside him, inside a wooden room with a cross on the wall.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
A person in a striped dress stands in darkness, holding a lit candle that illuminates their face and upper body.
"Covenant" Production Photo: Hugo Hentoff
Three women stand indoors, smiling at the camera. The background features a dark door and red curtains.
(L-R) Charence Higgins, Kristin E. Ellis. Photo by Hugo Hentoff.
Two people stand indoors; one is smiling and waving, the other is wearing glasses and a blue shirt, both facing the camera against a black background.
(L-R) Marlene Slaughter, Josh Mayo. Photo by Hugo Hentoff.
A woman in a pink plaid shirt gestures while speaking to another woman in a patterned headscarf at an indoor social gathering.
Shadana Patterson. Photo by Hugo Hentoff.
Two people smiling in front of a blue backdrop featuring "100 Years" and "The Goodman" logos.
Playwright York Walker and director Malkia Stampley. Photo by Hugo Hentoff.
Five people stand together smiling in front of a blue Goodman Theatre 100 Years step-and-repeat backdrop.
Principal cast of "Covenant". Photo by Hugo Hentoff.
A group of twelve people stand and smile together in front of a backdrop with "GOODMAN 100 YEARS" text.
Cast of "Covenant". Photo by Hugo Hentoff.

Creative Artists

Choose someone to see their bio and past Goodman productions.

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York Walker

Playwright

A woman with short curly hair, wearing a patterned red scarf and gray sweater, looks at the camera and smiles softly. The background is softly blurred.

Malkia Stampley

Director

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Debo Balogun

Johnny James

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Ashli René Funches

Ruthie

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Jaeda LaVonne

Avery

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Felicia Oduh

Violet

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Anji White

Mama

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Kristin E. Ellis

Understudy Mama

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Charence Higgins

Understudy Avery

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Josh Mayo

Understudy Johnny James

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Marlene Slaughter

Understudy Ruthie / Understudy Violet

A woman with short, curly gray hair and round glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a black top and is positioned in front of a colorful painting.

Evelyn M. Danner

Costume Designer

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Ryan Emens

Set Designer

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Gina Patterson

Lighting Designer

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Shokie Tseumah

Assistant Scenic Designer

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Levi J. Wilkins

Assistant Lighting Designer

A person with bright blue curly hair wears a black and gray floral-patterned shirt, sitting against a dark background and looking at the camera.

Dee Etti-Williams

Sound Designer

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Isaac Jo

Assistant Sound Designer

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Mike Przygoda

Music Director and Composer

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Shadana Patterson

Voice and Dialect Coach

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Benjamin Barnes

Co-Illusion Consultant

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Tyra Bullock

Co-Dramaturg

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Tor Campbell

Associate Director and Movement

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Jyreika Guest

Intimacy

A young person with short curly hair and light eyes is wearing a patterned sweater over a collared shirt, posing in front of a bright yellow background.

Trent James

Co-Illusion Consultant

Headshot of Lena Romano

Lena Romano

Line Producer/Co-Dramaturg

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Trent Stork

Original Casting

Lauren Port

Additional Casting

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Nykol DeDreu

Stage Manager

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Mia Maccarella

Floor Manager

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Lauren Westfahl

Production Assistant

RECOMMENDED READS

A man with short curly hair and a trimmed beard sits with his hands resting under his chin, in front of a gold and white background.

A Welcome Letter from Covenant’s Playwright

Posted: April 28, 2026

York Walker shares the origin story of “Covenant” and how his father’s “dad jokes” manifested the play’s Midwest premiere at The Goodman.

A woman with short braided hair, wearing a sleeveless olive green top, stands in front of a dark, textured background. She is looking slightly to the side with a neutral expression.

Jyreika Guest on Intimacy and the Gasps and Awe Within “Covenant”

Posted: April 24, 2026

Intimacy consultant Jyreika Guest taps into her own Black, femme, queer-identifying Southern roots – and her love of horror – to provide thoughtful guidance for “Covenant.”

Accessible & Enhanced Performances

Questions? Please contact (312) 443-3800 for voice, or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org. Visit our Accessibility Overview page for full details.

American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance
Friday, May 22 at 7:30pm

Use code SIGN for $34 tickets ($25 tickets plus $9 handling fee)

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, May 23
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance

Use code AUDIO for $34 tickets ($25 tickets plus $9 handling fee)

Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, May 23 at 7:30pm

Use code SPANISH for $34 tickets ($25 tickets plus $9 handling fee)

Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, May 24 at 2:00pm

Use code OPEN for $34 tickets ($25 tickets plus $9 handling fee)

OUR CENTENNIAL 2025/2026 Season

For a century, the Goodman has been more than a theater—it’s been the heartbeat of Chicago. Where stories come alive and move us to dream bigger and feel deeper. Here, art doesn’t just entertain you—it awakens. This is The Goodman—where humanity takes center stage. Join us for the Centennial 25/26 Season.

Ashland Avenue

Sep 6 – Oct 19, 2025 in Albert Theatre

Revolution(s)

Oct 4 – Nov 22, 2025 in Owen Theatre
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A Christmas Carol

Nov 15 – Dec 31, 2025 in Albert Theatre

Holiday

Jan 31 – Mar 8, 2026 in Albert Theatre

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Feb 21 – Apr 12, 2026 in Owen Theatre

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Mar 28 – May 3, 2026 in Albert Theatre
A woman in a maroon coat and fur hat stands next to a seated man in a suit holding a drink on a block of ice, with their names, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, written beside them.

Iceboy!

Jun 20 – Aug 9, 2026 in Albert Theatre