A True History of the Johnstown Flood

A world premiere and Goodman Theatre commission

The devastating Johnstown flood of 1889 serves as the backdrop for this provocative world premiere by Rebecca Gilman. The Baxter Theatre Troupe—namely siblings James, Richard and Fanny—has been summoned to perform at a tiny resort next to a beautiful man-made lake in the Pennsylvania mountains. Although the troupe’s repertoire consists of the romantic trifles typical of the era, brother James envisions a different kind of play, exposing the true struggles of common people.  When a violent rainstorm compromises the shoddily constructed dam that holds back the lake, the resulting disaster lays bare the tragic inequities of the rigid class system—and paves the way for a seismic change in both theater and society.