We're Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time

Sept 15 - Oct 21, 2018 In the Albert
Approximate running time: 90 minutes, no intermission

  • ★★★★ (out of 4) – Daily Herald

A musical memoir of hope, family and transcendence.

Growing up, writer/performer David Cale escaped his parents’ fraught marriage by singing in his bedroom and tending to birds in his backyard animal hospital—until a tragedy changed everything. Lush songs—featuring “an exquisite six-piece orchestra” (PerformInk)—and an intimate portrait of his mother unite in Cale’s vivid “survival story, deeply moving in its courage” (Chicago Tribune).

Discounted tickets for groups of 10+ available now! Call 312.443.3820 or email Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org for more information.

Photos


  • Playwright and performer David Cale in his world premiere solo musical memoir "We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time", directed by Robert Falls. Photo by Liz Lauren.


  • Playwright and performer David Cale in his world premiere solo musical memoir "We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time", directed by Robert Falls. Photo by Liz Lauren.


  • Playwright and performer David Cale in his world premiere solo musical memoir "We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time", directed by Robert Falls. Photo by Liz Lauren.


  • Playwright and performer David Cale in his world premiere solo musical memoir "We’re Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time", directed by Robert Falls. Photo by Liz Lauren.


  • David Cale (Floyd), Faryl Millet (Clea), Malcom Ruhl (musician), Dylan Schiavone (musician) and Jon Spiegel (musician) in 2005’s “Floyd and Clea Under the Western Sky,” directed by Michael Wilson. Photo by Liz Lauren.


  • David Cale in 1991’s “Deep Dream of You,” directed by David Petrarca. Photo by Erik Y. Exit.


  • David Cale (Lillian) in 1997’s “Lillian,” directed by Joe Mantello. Photo by Liz Lauren.

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Artists
OnStage+

Homeward Bound: Writer and Performer David Cale Dares to Look Back

"The past beats inside me like a second heart," says Max Morden, the middle-aged widower in The Sea, a novel by Irish author John Banville. Chances are, we all feel that pulse from time to time. Sometimes it floods us with happy memories.

Swelling Sounds: Meet Music Arranger Matthew Dean Marsh

"As I sing [it's as if] birds are flying out of me. They infuse the orchestra with energy." In We're Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time, David Cale describes his experiences as a nascent entertainer.

Three Decades of David Cale

Thirty years following his Goodman Theatre debut, David Cale-"a spellbinding storyteller and veteran solo artist who's made his name performing his own character studies" ( The Los Angeles Times) reveals the latest in his long line of theatrical triumphs.

Press & Reviews

'We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time' is the show of David Cale's life and how he's learned to live with it

In 1988, a young humble, quirky, British-American monologuist named David Cale appeared in the studio theater in the old Goodman Theatre. His show, he said at the time, was dedicated to the proposition that "reality was something you rise above."

David Cale Reaches New Heights in Autobiographical We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time | Playbill

David Cale Reaches New Heights in Autobiographical Interview We're Only Alive for a Short Amount of Time The author of Drama Desk-winning Harry Clarke discusses his latest work at Chicago's Goodman Theatre beginning September 15. "The past beats inside me like a second heart," says Max Morden, the middle-aged widower in The Sea, a novel by Irish author, John Banville.

Talks & Events
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. 

More details regarding the full range of accessibility services at the Goodman can be found here >>

 Touch Tour and  Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, October 13, 2018 | 12:30pm Touch Tour, 2pm Performance

To reserve discounted tickets, enter promo code AUDIO online. Reservations for the touch tour are available at check-out for not additional charge. For more information, please call the Box Office or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org. 

 American Sign Language Interpreted Performance: Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 7:30pm

To reserve discounted tickets, enter promo code SIGN.

 Open Captioned Performance: Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 2pm

To reserve discounted tickets, enter promo code OPEN.

For a full description of all the accessibility features for We're Only Alive for A Short Amount of Time, including information on large print and braille programs, assistive listening devices, accessible seating and further details on our accessible performances, please click below.

SEE ALL ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION FOR THIS PRODUCTION


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Sept 15 - Oct 21, 2018 | Albert Theatre
Approximate running time: 90 minutes, no intermission

THIS PRODUCTION IS NOW CLOSED.

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  • "Deeply personal, indisputably courageous." – Chicago Tribune
  • "Strikes a resounding chord" – Chicago Sun-Times
  • "Frequently shocking and deeply moving." – Chicago Tribune
  • David Cale is "a spellbinding storyteller." – Los Angeles Times
  • "Deeply affecting." – Daily Herald
  • David Cale delivers "a singular kind of fusion, merging music with his one-man recitations." – Chicago Tribune
  • Cale's work combines "reality, fantasy and an almost clairvoyant insight into personality." – New York Times
  • "A story of survival...of striving to transcend." – Chicago Tribune
  • David Cale is a "warm and gracious emcee to the story of his life." – Chicago Sun-Times
  • "Cale's storytelling is so compelling." – Daily Herald
  • A "deeply moving autobiographical show." – Chicago Tribune
  • Features "a quintet of superb Chicagoland musicians." – Chicago Sun-Times
  • "Cale has been working his whole life toward this one show." – Chicago Tribune
  • "Engrossing." – Daily Herald
  • "A wonder." – Lynn H.
  • "I was mesmerized by the performance." – Richard M.
  • "Wonderful. I giggled, laughed and cried." – Rosa M.
  • "Original piece that transcends time and generations." – Debra S.
  • It "will render your heart and expand your mind." – Frank M.
  • "Positively spellbinding." – David H.
  • "Phenomenal. The acting, the music and the flow of the story." – Nancy A.
  • A "must-see. Run, don't walk. This is the real deal" – Frank M. 
  • "Loved, loved, loved this performance. Musicians were outstanding. Story was riveting." – Roberta S.
  • A "tour-de-force of a one-man show of many personae, all riveting." – Richard M.
  • "Superb!" – Warren L.
  • "What a powerful and moving performance!" – Vincent B.
  • "This might be the best play I've ever seen at the Goodman." – David H.
  • "What an extraordinary creator-performer!" – Alan H.
  • "Great show! It made me laugh and it made me cry." – Carrie G.
  • "I was awed by this play. The whole thing was done so beautifully." – Charlotte E. 
  • "A phenomenal production; excellent in every way!" – Rodney H.
  • "This was one of the most marvelous experiences we have had at the theater." – Mark W.
  • "Cannot recommend it enough. Life-changing." – Frank M. 
  • "Deeply touching, great performance. Fantastic." – Craig M. 
  • "Fantastic performance of a heartfelt story. David Cale is magnificent!" – Rosemary K. 
  • "The most important play I have seen in a very long time." – Marion M. 
  • "Phenomenal–David’s performance, the moving story, the beautiful music." – Linda H. 
  • "One of the most marvelous experiences we have had at the theater." – Mark W. 
  • "Fascinating; indeed, riveting." – Judith D. 
  • "Stays with you long after the show is over." – Marty C. 
  • "Rich and moving." – Ana Maria A. 
  • David Cale is "a dynamic performer." – Marjorie D.