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Ashland Avenue

Sep 6 – Oct 19, 2025 in Goodman's Albert Theatre

Around 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission


EXTENDED A SECOND TIME THROUGH OCTOBER 19!


“You gotta start living your life right now. Because someday you’ll wake up and it’s over.”

Pete’s TV and Video has served Chicagoland for 40+ years, its plucky owner famous for his legendary commercials and customer care. But it’s a new era, and Pete’s last store location is struggling while Sam—his daughter and family business heir apparent—has different dreams. Starring Chicago’s Francis Guinan (The Cherry Orchard) and Emmy Award-nominee Jenna Fischer (The Office), this hilarious and moving new play asks what happens when we step outside of our parents’ footsteps to follow our heart?

Recommended for ages 14+

This production contains mature themes including drug abuse and addiction and strong language. For a detailed breakdown of Ashland Avenue’s content warnings, including timing of where they appear in the show, email access@goodmantheatre.org. We also have brief show summaries available through that email address. Please allow up to three business days for a response. Hard copies of the expanded content guide and show summaries are also available at our front desk.

Ashland Avenue Takes the Ultimate Chicago Quiz | On Stage through October 12 | Goodman Theatre
Ashland Avenue | Scene 1 | On Stage Through October 19 | Goodman Theatre
Ashland Avenue | Scene 2 | On Stage Through October 19 | GoodmanTheatre
Ashland Avenue | Featuring Jenna Fischer | Extended Through October 19 | Goodman Theatre
Ashland Avenue | Featuring Jenna Fischer | Montage | On Stage Through October 19 | Goodman Theatre
Ashland Avenue | World Premiere | September 6 - October 19 | Goodman Theatre
Ashland Avenue | Lee Kirk and Susan V. Booth Interview | September 6 - October 19 | Goodman Theatre
Jenna Fischer + Lee Kirk | Ashland Avenue | September 6 - October 5 | 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.

A young woman in casual clothes sits next to an older man holding a cup in a cozy, cluttered room with warm lighting and a "Closed" sign on the door in the background.
(L-R) Cordelia Dewdney, Francis Guinan. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Two people stand facing each other and smiling on a cluttered, retro-themed stage set with various vintage items and colorful string lights.
(L-R) Jenna Fischer, Chiké Johnson. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
Two men are in a cluttered room; one sits with a cup and a blanket over his shoulders, while the other stands behind a counter, speaking on the phone.
(L-R) Francis Guinan and Will Allan. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Creative Artists

Choose someone to see their bio and past Goodman productions.

Lee Kirk

Playwright

Susan V. Booth

Director

Will Allan

Young Man

Cordelia Dewdney

Jess

Headshot of Jenna Fischer.

Jenna Fischer

Sam

Headshot of Francis Guinan.

Francis Guinan

Pete

Chiké Johnson

Mike

Daniel Ajak

Understudy Mike

Headshot of Adam Benjamin.

Adam Benjamin

Understudy Young Man

A man with short gray hair and a dark blue shirt smiles at the camera in front of a blurred brick background.

Neil Friedman

Understudy Pete

Maura Kidwell

Understudy Sam

Headshot of Hannah Ruwe.

Hannah Ruwe

Understudy Jess

Lauren Port

Casting Director

Headshot of Lena Romano

Lena Romano

Line Producer

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

Line Producer

A young woman with short, curly brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera while wearing a dark blue, long-sleeve top against a neutral background.

Emma Berry

Assistant Lighting Designer

A man with short hair and a trimmed beard wearing a dark blue shirt poses against a solid red background.

Stan Brown

Voice and Dialect Coach

A man with short, curly dark hair wears a black t-shirt featuring an illustrated portrait of a person in a knit hat. He stands indoors and looks directly at the camera.

Michael Cotey

Assistant Director

Bald man with a goatee and mustache wearing a red and white striped shirt, smiling with arms crossed against a gray background.

Chuck Coyl

Fight and Violence

A man with wavy hair, glasses, and a beard wearing a collared shirt, smiling outdoors with a blurred background.

Kevin Depinet

Set Designer

A bald man with a goatee and mustache, wearing a dark coat, is looking at the camera against a black background.

Lindsay Jones

Original Music and Sound Design

A smiling woman with straight blond hair wearing a sleeveless black top stands in front of a blurred purple background.

Becca Kaufman

Featured Vocalist

Jason Lynch

Lighting Designer

Jessica Pabst

Costume Designer

A person with curly hair, glasses, and a beard is smiling while wearing a red sweater and black shirt against a gray background.

Aaron Woodstein

Assistant Sound Designer

A person with curly brown hair wearing a black shirt stands in front of a plain light purple background, smiling slightly at the camera.

Clara Zucker

Dramaturg

Nikki Blue

Production Stage Manager

Jennifer Gregory

Stage Manager

A young person with long dark hair, glasses, and a white shirt smiles outdoors.

Hope X. Still

Stage Management Apprentice

Artist Placeholder Image

Lauren Westfahl

Script Supervisor / Production Assistant

Artist Placeholder Image

Lexie Wiley

Albert Floor Manager

SPECIAL EVENTS

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

A woman with glasses holds a life-size cardboard cutout of an older man wearing glasses, a white shirt, and a colorful polka dot tie.

Channeling Our Stories: A CONTEXT event

Friday, September 26 at 6pm

Part of The Goodman’s CONTEXT series, Channeling Our Stories invites you to experience live, intergenerational storytelling that explores the moments that shape who we are and how we let go.

LEARN MORE

Chicago Legacy Business Ice Cream Social

Saturday, September 27 at 6pm

Savor the iconic flavors of Rainbow Cone while hearing stories of resilience from our cities’ precious and authentic assets.

LEARN MORE

CRITICAL PRAISE

“FISCHER COMES WITH THE DEADPAN SENSE OF HUMOR HER LEGIONS OF FANS ADMIRE.”

Chicago Tribune

“POIGNANT AND LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FUNNY.”

Daily Herald

ASHLAND AVENUE OFFERS NOSTALGIC WARMTH.”

Chicago Reader

“FRANCIS GUINAN SHOWS WHY HE IS ONE OF CHICAGO’S FINEST AND MOST RESPECTED ACTORS.”

WGNRadio.com

“CHIKÉ JOHNSON IS FANTASTIC AND FUNNY.”

Chicago Theatre Review

“A WARM AND WELCOMING PLAY, AND THE GOODMAN’S CAST BRINGS IT VIVIDLY TO LIFE.”

BroadwayWorld

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

“AMAZING SHOW! SLOW BUILD THEN REALLY PACKS A PUNCH. (AND THE WRITING AND THE PERFORMANCE FELT TRUE TO CHICAGO!) A MUST SEE!”

@thecuriousone7 via Instagram

“IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE. LOVE THE ENDING.”

Bob S. via Facebook

“AWESOME PLAY & OUTSTANDING CAST; VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING. THIS ONE WILL STAY WITH ME FOR A WHILE.”

Ron F. via Facebook

“A GREAT WAY TO OPEN THE NEW SEASON! WE ENJOYED ANOTHER FINE GOODMAN PRODUCTION!”

Daniel W. via Facebook

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, September 26 at 7:30pm

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

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, September 27
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance

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

Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, September 27 at 7:30pm

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

Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, September 28 at 2:00pm

Use code OPEN for $44 tickets ($35 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.