The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Feb 21 – Apr 12, 2026 in Goodman's Owen Theatre

Around 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH APRIL 12!

“I have heard from a reliable source that no Dominican male has ever died a virgin. I shall be the first.”

Oscar knows that a nerdy Dominican college freshman isn’t anyone’s idea of a romantic hero. But with the encouragement of Yunior, his new roommate, he is determined to give love another chance. As Oscar sets out from New Jersey to Santo Domingo to prove his undeniable hope, can he shake the dark “fukú” that has haunted his family for generations? Junot Díaz’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel comes to vivid life in this world-premiere English stage adaption—a celebration of risk and the power of perseverance against all odds.

Original Spanish production of the play commissioned and originally produced by Repertorio Español, New York, NY.

Recommended for ages 14+

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao contains strong language; depictions of violence, including gun violence, and death; and discussions of sex, body image, racism, and suicidal ideation

LOLA (Julissa Calderon) makes YUNIOR’s (Kelvin Grullon) acquaintance, and it all goes downhill from there.

An eager OSCAR (Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo) meets his leery roommate YUNIOR (Kelvin Grullon) in this amusing scene.

OSCAR (Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo) makes an admission that YUNIOR (Kelvin Grullon) can’t believe in this hilarious scene.

Audiences are raving about The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao—”one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time.”

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is “sweetly personal” (New York Times) and features “an exceptionally fun and warm-centered cast” (Chicago Tribune).

Cast members Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo (OSCAR), Julissa Calderon (LOLA) and Kelvin Grullon (YUNIOR) describe why they’re excited to share the love, loudness and humor of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.

Playwright Marco Antonio Rodriguez and director Wendy Mateo can’t sum up this sweeping production in just one sentence—but they’ll try.

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.

Creative Artists

Choose someone to see their bio and past Goodman productions.

Junot Díaz

Author

Marco Antonio Rodriguez

Playwright

Wendy Mateo

Director

Rossmery Almonte

La Inca

Julissa Calderon

Lola

Yohanna Florentino

Beli

Kelvin Grullon

Yunior

A woman with curly dark hair, red lipstick, and hoop earrings poses against a plain olive background, wearing an off-the-shoulder black top.

Jalbelly Guzmán

Jenni/Ybon/Trujillo Woman

A young person with curly dark hair and medium skin tone smiles softly, wearing a dark green top, against a plain light background.

Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo

Oscar Wao

Arik Vega

Dionisio/Manny/Capitan/Goon

Berny Balbuena

Understudy Oscar

Jasmine Bracey

Understudy La Inca

Gabriela Furtado Coutinho

Understudy Jenni / Ybon / Trujillo Woman

Melissa Francesca DuPrey

Understudy Beli / Understudy Lola

Adriel Irizarry

Understudy Yunior

Trey DeLuna

Understudy Manny/Understudy Dionisio/Understudy Capitan/Understudy Goon

Raquel Adorno

Costume Designer

Stefania Bulbarella

Projection Designer

A woman with long curly hair styled half up, wearing a denim jacket over a black top, smiles at the camera against a plain beige background.

Satya Chávez

Composer

Andres Fiz

Assistant Projection Designer

Regina García

Set Designer

Maximo Grano de Oro

Lighting Designer

Josh McCammon

Assistant Sound Designer

Parker Molacek

Projections Programmer

Willow James

Sound Designer

Lindsay Mummert

Assistant Set Designer

Chelsea Strebe

Assistant Lighting Designer

Lia Wallfish

Associate Costume Designer

Lauren Port

Casting Director

Rey Andújar

Cultural Consultant

Woman with medium-length curly black hair, wearing a sleeveless green top and hoop earrings, posing against a beige background.

Tatiana Bustamante

Intimacy & Violence Assistant

Gregory Geffrard

Intimacy & Violence, Movement Coordinator

Octavio Montes de Oca

Script Assistant

A person with long braids, wearing a black shirt, black jacket, and silver chain necklace, poses against a dark background.

Chels Morgan

Movement Assistant

Yolanny Rodriguez Torres

Dialect & Language Coach Assistant

A woman with long dark hair wearing a brown blazer and a cream top stands against a plain light background, smiling slightly at the camera.

Anna Rogelio Joaquin

Assistant Dramaturg

Lena Romano

2nd Line Producer

A woman with medium-length locs, wearing hoop earrings and off-shoulder clothing, smiles in front of a reddish-brown background.

Lo Williams

Assistant Director

Kat Zukaitis

Line Producer & Dramaturg

A person wearing a headset and a denim jacket with patches smiles at the camera in an indoor setting.

Mia Maccarella

Owen Floor Manager

Isabel Patt

Production Stage Manager

A person with long brown hair, glasses, and a necklace stands smiling in front of a beige stone wall, wearing a brown square-neck top.

Hope X. Still

SM Apprentice

Special Events

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

Concluded

A wooden board with grilled chicken topped with vegetables and lime, fried plantains, French fries, and a small cup of dipping sauce.

Friday, March 13 @ 6:00pm – 7:15pm

Roots and Recipes: A CONTEXT Event

We're bringing together Dominican-inspired dishes and deep dialogue on identity, heritage, and belonging.

Concluded

Four women stand together indoors, smiling and conversing in a well-lit room. Two are facing the camera, while two are turned slightly away.

Thursday, March 12 | Reception from 6pm – 7:15pm | Performance at 7:30pm

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Scene Night

Enjoy an evening of networking and mingling with other Chicago young professionals as you support the world-premiere English …

Use Code: SCENE

Concluded

A decorative sword with a wavy blade, ornate gold crossguard, and a handle featuring red and blue inlays and an intricate sculpted face.

Friday, March 6 @ 6:00pm – 7:15pm

Latine Affinity Night The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Join us for a special CONTEXT event in collaboration with the Goodman’s Latine affinity group.

Concluded

A group of six young people sit and stand indoors, smiling. Behind them is a poster reading "Education and Community Engagement" with photos of students.

Wednesday, February 25 @ 6pm

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao College Night

For less than the price of a movie ticket, college students are invited to experience Goodman productions.

Use Code: COLLEGE

Critical Praise

“IMPECCABLY CAST. LENIN IZQUIERDO IS PITCH PERFECT AS OSCAR.”

BroadwayWorld

“LIKE THE NOVEL ITSELF, THE PLAY PAYS BEAUTIFUL HOMAGE TO BOTH DOMINICAN CULTURE AND SPANISH LANGUAGE.”

BroadwayWorld

“GLORIOUS…I HAVEN’T LAUGHED OR CRIED AS MUCH DURING A STAGE PERFORMANCE AS I DID AS THIS PRODUCTION.”

Chicago Reader

“FUNNY, MOVING, AND VISUALLY STRIKING! A MUST-SEE PRODUCTION.”

Curtain Call Chicago

“THE CAST IS IMPECCABLE. EACH CHARACTER FEELS AS IF THEY’D STEPPED DIRECTLY FROM THE PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING JUNOT DÍAZ NOVEL.”

Chicago Theater Review

“A WILD, EYE-POPPING ROMP WHERE DRAMA, TRAGEDY, COMEDY, HISTORY AND A HUGE HELPING OF POP-CULTURE COLLIDE.”

Chicago Sun-Times

Audience Praise

“I LOVE THE BOOK AND THIS ADAPTATION WAS PHENOMENAL!!! I WAS BLOWN AWAY.”

Joey A. via Email

“WHAT A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE OF SUCH A COMPLEX PLAY! AND WHAT A SUPERB INTERPRETATION OF THESE DYNAMIC CHARACTERS. 10/10”

@sandritatrevino via Instagram

“I LOVED THE AUTHENTIC PORTRAYAL OF DOMINICAN FAMILY/CULTURE/VOICE AND PHENOMENAL ACTING.”

Kathleen O. via Email

“I LAUGHED, I CRIED, I WANTED TO GET UP AND PARTY WITH OSCAR. THE ACTING WAS AMAZING. I WAS EASILY TRANSPORTED TO THE 90’S WITH THE SUBTLE REMINDERS OF THAT DECADE.”

Eunice U. via Facebook

“FANTASTIC SHOW—THE CAST, THE DIRECTING, THE SET DESIGN AND CHOICES. REALLY TERRIFIC.”

@appalachicago via Instagram

“CREATIVELY WRITTEN. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE CAPTIVATED FROM THE BEGINNING. WE LAUGHED, WE SHED SOME TEARS AND WE SHARED A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE PLAY. GRACIAS TO THE CAST AND CREW FOR SUCH A RIVETING PLAY.”

Peggy C. via Facebook

STUDY GUIDES

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao Study Guide

Download the English Oscar Wao study guide.

Guía De Estudio Del Título La Breve y Maravillosa Vida de Oscar Wao

Descargue la guía de estudio en Español de Oscar Wao.

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, March 13 at 7:30pm

Use code SIGN for $44 ($35 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, March 14
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance

Use code AUDIO for $44 ($35 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, March 14 at 7:30pm

Use code SPANISH for $44 ($35 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, March 15 at 2:00pm

Use code OPEN for $44 ($35 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

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