Chicago Quandary

Five years ago William O. Goodman, Chicago lumber magnate, gave the Art Institute a theatre in memory of his son Kenneth, amateur playwright, who died in November 1918. The Goodman Theatre, built below ground level behind the Art Institute to leave the South Parkway lake frontage unobstructed, cost $300,000 and was endowed with $150,000. When Thomas Wood Stevens, then head of Carnegie Institute's drama department, was placed in full command of the enterprise, artistic Chicagoans were delighted, predicted great things for the Goodman Theatre and creative stagecraft in Chicago. Week before last Director Stevens resigned his position, announcing that he and the Art Institute committee which governs the theatre were incompatible. Chicago's drama lovers wondered what the future Goodman policy would be, were still wondering last week.

The Goodman controversy is largely a financial one. Donor Goodman's $150,000 endowment gives the theatre but $9,000 a year income. Last year's deficit was $42,000 which came out of the Art Institute's pocket. Director Stevens' position: he wanted to produce serious drama and did (Dear Brutus, The Golem, The Wild Duck, When We Dead Awaken, The Game of Love & Death, Don Juan, The Forest). The Institute's position: serious drama, artistically done, was excellent if the theatre could earn its keep.

The solution for the Goodman Theatre problems seemed, last week, to be the presentation of shows which Chicagoans will pay to see. But the Institute's play-choosing committee will not Broadwayize the Goodman repertoire below the level of New York's Theatre Guild. Titles being considered for next year: Hedda Gabler, The Would Be Gentleman, Anna Christie, The Goat Song, Milestones, Rebound, The Firebrand.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.