Goodman Continuing Relationship with Albany Park Theater Project

The Goodman Theatre will be continuing its relationship with the Albany Park Theater Project, (APTP), Chicago’s award-winning, nationally recognized multiethnic youth theater ensemble whose productions of “Home/Land,” “Feast” and “Aqui Estoy” have enjoyed great success when transferred to the Goodman’s Owen stage in recent seasons.

This spring, the Goodman will present an all new edition of APTP’s 2006 show, “God’s Work.” It will mark the first time in the five-year partnership with the Goodman that APTP will conceive, design and stage a piece specifically for the Owen space which is larger and more elaborate than APTP’s home stage in the Eugene Field House.

“God’s Work” is the story of Rachel, known as “the lucky one” by her sixteen brothers and sisters. Along with her siblings, Rachel survives nine years of deprivation and brutality at the hands of her fundamentalist and vengeful father. But then an extraordinary act of courage leads Rachel to discover a secret miracle that lives in her heart – a secret she has kept safe since before she can remember, and that will truly make her “the lucky one.”

“At its core, ‘God’s Work’ is a celebration of how humanity at its most beautiful can emerge from humanity at its ugliest,” said David Feiner, artistic director of APTP. “I think audiences will be astonished by the exceptional sensitivity and imaginative theatricality with which our youth ensemble brings to the stage the intense brutality and exquisite tenderness of this story.”

Feiner also noted that this will be the first APTP show to be part of the Goodman’s high visibility spring theater season, rather than part of its summer programming.

“Performing at the Goodman has been transformative for Albany Park Theater Project,” said Feiner. “Our Goodman performances have introduced more than 5,000 new audience members to APTP’s work, and propelled the company to increased renown as one of the nation’s preeminent youth theaters.”

“God’s Work” will feature a multiethnic cast of two dozen Chicago teens and is being collectively devised by the youth ensemble in collaboration with a team of directors and designers that includes Feiner; Maggie Popadiak (director/choreographer); Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez (director); Stephanie Paul (director/choreographer); Mikhail Fiksel (composer/sound designer); Brandon Campbell and Lacey Katherine Campbell (puppetry designers); Scott C. Neale (scenic designer); Jeremy Getz (lighting designer), and Izumi Inaba (costume designer).

Performances of “God’s Work” will begin April 4 at the Goodman, with tickets going on sale Jan. 15, 2014. Call (312) 443-3800 or visit GoodmanTheatre.org.