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A magnifying glass with a handle decorated with colorful, shiny beads and jewels, placed on a white surface.

By Phanésia Pharel 
Directed by Melia Bensussen

“A clever who-done-it.“

– Chicago Sun-Times

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera

Sept 26 - Nov 8, 2026 in Goodman's Owen Theatre

1 hour and 30 minutes with no intermission

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Detective skills: unverified. Determination: unmatched.

FACT: Maria was last seen at her Quinceañera. FACT: The party ended early due to an unknown emergency. FACT: Maria has not responded to any messages in 19 hours. Now, her three best friends—armed with confidence, questionable clues and zero adult supervision—are on the case, racing against the clock to find out what happened. The pressures of Latine girlhood punctuate this joy ride through the power and pleasure of adolescent friendships—a comic thriller of secrets, sisterhood and solving crime.

Part ofLogo for “Destinos: 9th Chicago International Latino Theater Festival” with bold, stylized black text on a white background.: Chicago International Theater Festival  Chicago Latino Theater Alliance logo with stylized sound waves and a capital letter “E” to the left of the organization name in bold black text on a light background.

Presented in association with Chicago Latino Theater Alliance.
Collective World Premiere with Barrington Stage Company and Hartford Stage.

2024 Wagner New Play Festival – University of California San Diego, Naomi Iizuka and Deborah Stein, Co- Festival Chairs, directed by Lamar Perry.

2024 SolFest – The Sol Project, Jacob G. Padrón and Adriana Gaviria, Co-Artistic Directors, October 6-10, 2024, directed by Melissa Crespo.

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera was developed with the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center during the 2025 National Playwrights Conference. Tiffani Gavin Executive Director. Melia Bensussen Artistic Director.

Recommended for ages 12+

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera includes themes and content that may be difficult for some patrons. Click on the content advisory below for details. Please be aware that it contains spoilers.

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera contains mature language and realistic teenage conversation around violence, murder, difficult sexual topics and abuse.

For a detailed breakdown of Dead Girl’s Quinceañera content warnings, including timing of where they appear in the show, email access@goodmantheare.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.

Lost girl, lost slipper…Salma gathers the facts in Dead Girl’s Quinceañera.

For Phoebe, her dress means more to her than what is at the surface in Dead Girl’s Quinceañera.

Maria’s friends must gather the facts to help find her in Dead Girl’s Quinceañera.

Hear why audiences are loving this production that “feels hopeful and familiar”.

This fall, treat yourself to Dead Girl’s Quinceañera “a clever who-done-it” (Chicago Sun-Times). On stage through November 1!

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera is “an ode and love to teenage friendship.” Playwright Phanésia Pharel and Director Melia Bensussen discuss the inspiration behind this “delightful new play” (BroadwayWorld).
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Scene 3 | On Stage Through November 9 | Goodman Theatre
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Scene 2 | On Stage Through November 8 | Goodman Theatre
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Scene 1 | On Stage Through November 8 | Goodman Theatre
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Extended Through November 8 | Goodman Theatre
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Montage | On Stage Through November 8 | Goodman Theatre
Dead Girl's Quinceañera | Playwright & Director Interview | Sept. 26 - Nov. 1 | 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.

Tickets
Tickets

Artists

A woman with braided hair wearing a red floral dress stands indoors, smiling with her hands clasped in front of her. A microphone stand and chairs are visible in the background.

Phanésia Pharel

Playwright

A woman with short, curly brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. She is wearing a black top and a silver necklace, against a plain dark background.

Melia Bensussen

Director

Woman with wavy brown hair wearing a red top and a gold necklace stands against a plain background, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

Carmen Berkeley

Ensemble

A woman with long curly hair, wearing a strapless top, looks at the camera against a dark green background.

Ariana Burks

Ensemble

A woman with curly dark hair, wearing a white top and gold hoop earrings, looks at the camera against a plain background.

Andrea Ferro

Ensemble

Woman with long dark hair wears a blue knit beanie and denim overalls, standing in front of a gray textured wall, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

Jacqueline Guillén

Ensemble

A person with curly light brown hair, blue eyes, and light skin wears a yellow hoodie and smiles at the camera against a light blue background.

Elisabeth Del Toro

Understudy

Woman with wavy dark hair wearing a white top, standing in front of a textured gray background, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

Alondra Rios

Understudy

A woman with long, braided hair wearing a gray tank top and a necklace looks at the camera against a plain background.

Marlene Slaughter

Understudy

A woman with dark shoulder-length hair, wearing a navy blue off-the-shoulder top, stands against a plain light background and looks at the camera with a slight smile.

Jocelyn Zamudio

Understudy

A woman with long, wavy brown hair and large glasses looks at the camera inside a car.

Raquel Adorno

Costume Designer

A person with short, curly brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera, wearing a blue turtleneck top against a plain blue background.

Emma Berry

Assistant Lighting Designer

Person with short, light brown hair and green eyes, wearing a brown shirt and small stud earrings, looking at the camera in a softly lit indoor setting.

Sara Brown

Set Designer

A woman with curly hair smiles at the camera in front of a neon sign and a dark wall. The photo is in black and white.

Harper Justus

Assistant Sound Designer

Middle-aged man with glasses and gray hair wearing an orange jacket over a blue zip-up, standing indoors with wooden walls and a door in the background.

Dan Kotlowitz

Lighting Designer

Smiling man with curly dark hair wearing a navy blue blazer and white shirt, photographed against a plain dark background.

Salvador Suavecito Zamora

Sound Designer

A person with medium-length dark hair, wearing green earrings and a navy blue top, smiles at the camera against a plain light background.

Ludmila de Brito

Associate Director

Woman with curly hair wearing an olive green sweater smiles at the camera, holding a strand of her hair with one hand in front of a dark background.

Mayte Natalio

Movement Choreographer

Woman with medium skin tone and wavy dark hair, wearing gold hoop earrings and a burgundy top, looks calmly at the camera against a matching burgundy background.

Cynthia Santos DeCure

Dialect Coach

Woman with long brown hair, wearing a green jacket over a white top, smiles at the camera against a pink background.

Sarah Slight

Second 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

Lauren Port

Casting

Artist Placeholder Image

Alldaffer & Donadio Casting

Artist Placeholder Image

Audrey Dixon

Owen Floor Manager

Artist Placeholder Image

Molly Garrison

Albert Floor Manager/Script Assistant

A person with shoulder-length brown and pink hair, wearing glasses, a black top, and a black blazer, smiles while standing outdoors near a body of water.

Jojo Wallenberg

Assistant Stage Manager

Woman with long, light brown hair and blue eyes wearing a floral shirt, looking at the camera, against a gradient background.

Nicole Wiegert

Stage Manager

A logo with three curved red lines on the left and a black bracket and vertical bar forming a stylized “H” on the right, all on a white background.

The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA)

Critical Praise

“THE PERFORMANCES ARE STELLAR.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“THE DIRECTION BY MELIA BENSUSSEN IS SPOT ON.”

Chicago Sun-Times

PHANÉSIA PHAREL IS “A TRUE POET WITH A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOR.”

Chicago Tribune

“A DARKLY HILARIOUS TAKE ON TRUE-CRIME OBSESSION.”

BroadwayWorld

“AN ENTERTAINING AND CHILLING BRAIN TWISTER THAT’S PERFECT FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.”.

Chicago Theatre Review

“A VERY IMPRESSIVE 90 MINUTES OF THEATER!”

Around the Town Chicago

AUDIENCE REACTIONS

“IT WAS AWESOME . A MUST SEE FOR TEENS AND FAMILIES TOGETHER.”

Lupe C. via

“THE FOUR ACTRESSES WERE FUNNY, DRAMATIC AND ENGAGING. WORTH THE TICKET, YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD TIME.”

@taino1954 via

“THIS IS A FANTASTIC PLAY. I DON’T WANT TO SAY TOO MUCH BECAUSE IT IS A MYSTERY AFTER ALL. I’LL TELL YOU THAT THERE WERE GREAT STORIES TOLD SPRINKLED WITH LOTS OF HUMOR WHILE CONFRONTING DIFFICULT TOPICS IN A SENSITIVE BUT EFFECTIVE WAY. I LOVED IT!”

Leslie M. S. via

“WENT TO SEE DEAD GIRL’S QUINCEAÑERA ON A WHIM AND DIDN’T READ FAR INTO IT. IT WAS AMAZING. HEARTWARMING, HEARTBREAKING AND VERY FUNNY. CHECK IT OUT IF YOU CAN!”

@maxsfancymonsters via

Recommended Reads

A woman with straight red hair and blue eyes is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a white collared shirt, a grey sweater, and gold earrings. The background is plain and light-colored.

Susan Booth Welcomes You to “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera”

Posted: September 15, 2026

Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth is excited to bring the story of “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera” to The Goodman.
Woman with short brown curly hair and a black sweater smiling slightly, wearing a necklace, pictured against a plain gray background.

A Welcome Letter from “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera” Director Melia Bensussen

Posted: September 16, 2026

Director Melia Bensussen looks forward to exploring the history and themes surrounding “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera”.
Woman with braided hair wearing a red floral dress stands indoors, clasping her hands and smiling, with green walls and checkered floor in the background.

It’s the Immigrant Experience: A Conversation with the Playwright

Posted: September 16, 2026

Playwright Phanésia Pharel on her inspiration for developing the new work, “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera”.
Two people face each other in a colorful room; one sits tied to a chair looking surprised, while the other points a trombone at them aggressively.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Ariana Burks, Carmen Berkeley and Jacqueline Guillén. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.
Two women stand in a colorful dressing room; one poses in a sparkly pink gown, while the other holds a dress in a clear garment bag. Various dresses hang on a rack in the background.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Jacqueline Guillén and Carmen Berkeley. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.
Three young women stand closely together looking at a smartphone, with a large evidence board visible behind them on stage.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Ariana Burks, Jacqueline Guillén and Carmen Berkeley. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.
Two women are on a checkered stage; one sits by a box, while the other stands in a ball gown near a rack of elaborate dresses, surrounded by draped curtains and stage lighting.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Carmen Berkeley and Jacqueline Guillén. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.
Two women stand indoors facing each other, each holding a potted plant. One wears an apron and glasses, while the other is in a maroon hoodie and shorts. The room is decorated with various items.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Ariana Burks and Carmen Berkeley. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.
Three people interact animatedly in a room with crates and boxes, in front of a bulletin board covered with colorful notes and posters. Two people gesture with pink toy guns.
"Dead Girl's Quinceañera" at Barrington Stage Company. (L-R) Carmen Berkeley, Jacqueline Guillén and Ariana Burks. Photo by Andrew Cromarti.

Special Events

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

Concluded
Four people sit around a red tablecloth-covered table, talking and laughing at an indoor social gathering with drinks and food nearby.

Friday, October 23 | Reception from 6pm – 7:15pm | Performance of Dead Girl’s Quinceañera at 7:30pm

The Goodman Quinceañera: Culture, Community & Celebration

Ever secretly wished you had, or were invited to a Quinceañera? Now is your chance!

Use Code: CELEBRATE
Concluded
Five people sit around a table with food and drinks, smiling at the camera in a well-lit indoor setting.

Wednesday, October 28 @ 6pm

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera College Night

College students are invited to experience Goodman productions.

Use Code: COLLEGE
Concluded
Two people stand indoors, smiling and hugging in front of a wooden paneled wall. One holds a phone, and both wear name tags.

Thursday, October 29 | Reception from 6pm – 7:15pm | Performance at 7:30pm

Dead Girl’s Quinceañera Scene Night

Join Goodman Theatre’s Scenemakers Board for an evening of networking and mingling with other Chicago young professionals.

Use Code: SCENE

STUDY GUIDES

 

Dead Girl's Quinceañera Study Guide

Download the English Dead Girl's Quinceañera study guide.

Guía De Estudio Del Título La Quinceañera De La Chica Muerta.

Descargue la guía de estudio en Español de La Quinceañera De La Chica Muerta.

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, October 16 at 7:30pm

Use code SIGN for $40 ($31 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, October 17
12:00pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance

Use code AUDIO for $40 ($31 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Spanish-Subtitled Performance
Saturday, October 17 at 7:30pm

Use code SPANISH for $40 ($31 ticket plus $9 handling fee)

Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, October 18 at 2:00pm

SOLD OUT!

OUR 2026/2027 Season

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is feel. For more than a century, The Goodman has created experiences that invite us to feel deeply, honestly and unapologetically. Stories that crack us open. Performances that reach past our defenses and tap directly into the heart. Here, joy is bigger. Laughter catches in your throat. Hope rises. This is where stories remind us what it means to be human.

A person in casual clothing sits on a trapeze against a background of blue sky and clouds, looking upward with a contemplative expression.

The Attic

Sept 5 – Oct 11, 2026 in Albert Theatre
A smiling person in a tall black hat, red scarf, and gray coat stands in front of snow-covered pine branches with a snowy background.

A Christmas Carol 2026

Nov 13 – Dec 31, 2026 in Albert Theatre
Two red beaded bracelets, one with a flame charm and the other with white beads spelling "BURN IT DOWN," are displayed on a white background.

John Proctor is the Villain

Jan 23 – Feb 21, 2027 in Albert Theatre
A piece of medium-rare steak with a sprig of rosemary is pierced by a fork against a plain white background.

FEAST!

Feb 27 – Mar 28, 2027 in Owen Theatre
A vintage kitchen timer with cracked glass sits on a white surface, showing approximately 14 minutes.

‘night, Mother

Mar 27 – April 25, 2027 in Albert Theatre
Gold medal with a red, white, and blue ribbon, featuring a raised fist symbol and laurel wreath design on a white background.

The XIXth (The Nineteenth)

Apr 17 – May 16, 2027 in Owen Theatre
A white brick wall with the text "Green Day's American Idiot" and a silhouette of a person holding their head in distress.

American Idiot

Jun 18 – Jul 25, 2027 in Albert Theatre