The Goodman Theatre is announcing Friday that John Mahoney, the Steppenwolf ensemble member and “Frasier” star, will star in David Mamet’s “Romance,” part of the upcoming high-profile Mamet festival at the Goodman. “Romance” will begin performances on March 17. A 90-minute courtroom farce, “Romance” is Mamet’s most recent play. This will be Mahoney’s first Goodman appearance in some 15 years. Tickets for all productions in the festival go on sale Jan. 16. …
Veteran Chicago producer Libby Mages is working on a pre-Broadway project called “Rockney.” The show was penned by Buddy Farmer and features music by Rocco Jans, best known now for his frequent scores for productions at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. The show is expected to open at a Chicago theater (to be announced) some time next fall under the direction of Marc Robin. Mages then plans to raise money for a New York stand. . . .
In December, the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire celebrates its 30th anniversary. The north suburban theater says it has played to more than 7 million people during that time, and has presented 170 productions during the last three decades, employing some 3,000 actors. With more than 40,000 subscribers, the indefatigable Marriott has one of the biggest subscription bases in the country. Coming up there in 2006: “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “State Fair,” the world premiere of “Once Upon a Time in New Jersey,” “Into the Woods” and “All Night Strut.”
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Compiled by Chris Jones
