Written by Christina Anderson
Directed by Niegel Smith

"Poetic and Ambitious"

– Chicago Tribune

"Mesmerizing and Deeply Moving"

– The Root

Jan 19 - Feb 24, 2019 in Goodman's Albert Theatre

Around 2 hours and 15 minutes with 1 intermission

The only way to find your voice is to use it.

A young writer’s life turns upside down when her girlfriend drops some unexpected news. Fifty years later, four artists feel the reverberations of that moment—and its unexpected consequences—as their lives intersect in pursuit of creative passion and legacy. In this bold, imaginative work, Christina Anderson, “a gifted playwright you want to pay attention to” (Variety), dissects the universal act of creation to inspire the dreamers and idealists in us all.

 

Watch our exclusive new trailer for How to Catch Creation.

Director Niegel Smith on How to Catch Creation

Audience Reactions to How to Catch Creation

"Rolling Out" at How to Catch Creation Opening Night

Audiences Respond to How to Catch Creation

Playwright Christina Anderson on How to Catch Creation

Watch our exclusive new trailer for How to Catch Creation.

Director Niegel Smith on How to Catch Creation

Audience Reactions to How to Catch Creation

"Rolling Out" at How to Catch Creation Opening Night

Audiences Respond to How to Catch Creation

Playwright Christina Anderson on How to Catch Creation

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Critical Praise

  • "Lightning caught in a bottle... an absolute triumph."

    - Chicago Reader

  • "A moving portrait of people building their life stories"

    - Chicago Sun-Times

  • "Magnificent in scope...deeply relatable"

    - The Root

  • "Introspective and ingeniously crafted"

    - Daily Herald

  • "Packed with smart writing, great acting and beautiful design"

    - Splash

  • A "sterling world-premiere production"

    - Daily Herald

  • "Polished to a sheen of warmth and wit by director Niegel Smith"

    - Chicago Sun-Times

Artists
  • Christina Anderson

    Christina Anderson Playwright

  • Niegel Smith

    Niegel Smith Director

  • Karen Aldridge

    Karen Aldridge Tami

  • Ayanna Bria Bakari

    Ayanna Bria Bakari Natalie

  • Jasmine Bracey

    Jasmine Bracey G.K. Marche

  • Bernard Gilbert

    Bernard Gilbert Stokes

  • Maya Vinice Prentiss

    Maya Vinice Prentiss Riley

  • Keith Randolph Smith

    Keith Randolph Smith Griffin

  • Todd Rosenthal

    Todd Rosenthal Set Design

  • Jenny Mannis

    Jenny Mannis Costume Design

  • Allen Lee Hughes

    Allen Lee Hughes Lighting Design

  • Joanna Lynne Staub

    Joanna Lynne Staub Sound Design

  • Justin Ellington

    Justin Ellington Composer

  • Adam Belcuore

    Adam Belcuore Casting

  • Jonathan L. Green

    Jonathan L. Green Dramaturg

  • Briana J. Fahey

    Briana J. Fahey Production Stage Manager

  • Kimberly Ann McCann

    Kimberly Ann McCann Stage Manager

Audience Response

  • Excellent play, wonderful actors, & amazing set!

    Serena C. via

  • Enjoyed it so much I saw it twice..

    Isaac M. via

  • Fabulous play—writing, acting. directing, set design.

    Dhamana S. via

  • A true Goodman stand-out. There is a terrific storyline, actors that are perfectly cast and a set that puts it all in motion!

    Joanie R. via

  • This play was awesome—do yourself a favor and go check it out.

    Jacqueline N. via

  • This was a very well-written, skillfully-acted, play. We enjoyed it greatly!

    Diane T. via

  • GREAT PERFORMANCES! GREAT SHOW!!

    Linda G. via

Recommended Reads
  • Image Alt Text

    Playwright Christina Anderson ponders love, loss, hope and inspiration in How to Catch Creation

    ONSTAGE | January 9, 2019

    The present,” wrote author and folklorist, Zora Neale Hurston, “was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.” Witness Christina Anderson’s How to Catch Creation—with its overlapping time frames and intersecting lives—and that metaphoric musing makes all the sense in the world.

    Read More

  • Image Alt Text

    Niegel Smith fuels his passion for theater with works that speak volumes

    CHICAGO SUN-TIMES | February 7, 2019

    Niegel Smith just might have the Midas touch when it comes to theater. The award-winning director is basking in the glow of two critically acclaimed Chicago productions: last year’s epic Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by Suzan-Lori Parks, and the currently-playing How to Catch Creation by Christina Anderson, both at the Goodman Theatre.

    Read More

Talks & Events
  • Theatre Thursday

    Theatre Thursday

    Thursday, January 24 at 6pm

    Attend a pre-show reception with appetizers, drinks and a conversation with members from the artistic staff on bringing How to Catch Creation to life, then see a performance of How to Catch Creation. $30 tickets include pre-show reception and performance ticket.

    LEARN MORE

  • Drinks & Discussion Events

    Drinks & Discussion Events

    Throughout the run

    Enhance your theater-going experience with one of our Drinks & Discussion Series events! Stay after select performances for a Post-Show Discussion and a complimentary glass of wine, or come early to select performances for a PlayTalk Session and a complimentary glass of wine.

    LEARN MORE

Accessibility

Join us for any of the following accessible performances.

Questions? Please contact 312.443.3800 (voice), 312.443.3829 (TTY/TDD) or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org.

American Sign Language Interpreted PerformanceAmerican Sign Language-Interpreted Performance
Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30pm

For reserved seating for this service, use promo SIGN.

Touch Tour and Audio Described performanceTouch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, February 16
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2pm Performance

For reserved seating for this service, use promo AUDIO.

Reservations for the touch tour are available at check-out for no additional charge. For more information, please call the Box Office or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org.

Open Caption Performance Open-Captioned Performance
Saturday, February 23 at 2pm

For reserved seating for this service, use promo OPEN.

 See All Accessibility Information for How to Catch Creation

Sponsors

How to Catch Creation Sponsors