GOODMAN THEATRE CAPS 1999-2000 SEASON WITH CHICAGO PREMIERE OF ZOOT SUIT, LUIS VALDEZ' SIZZLING MUSICAL DRAMA

          The Goodman Theatre caps its 1999-2000 season, the final season in its current home at the Art Institute, with the Chicago premiere of Luis Vaidez' sizzling musical drama, Zoot Suit. Goodman Associate Artist Henry Godinez stages this extraordinarily theatrical work by America's leading Chicano director and playwright. Noted Chicago choreographer Randy Duncan makes his Goodman debut with Zoot Suit, which features original music and musical direction by Daniel Valdez. AT&T is the Major Corporate Sponsor for the Goodman Theatre's production of Zoot Suit; Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is a Sponsorship Partner.
          In 1943, headlines blared news of the "Zoot Suit Riot" in the streets of Los Angeles. In 1978, L. A. papers hailed the arrival of the "Second Zoot Suit Riot" as Luis Valdez' spectacular musical drama took the city by storm, eventually playing in its extended run to half a million people. Based on an actual 1943 trial of young Chicano gang membem arrested wholesale for a suspected murder, Valdez created a large-scale drama that sizzles with the cross-culturelism of Chicano society, mixing 1940s Big Band music with traditional Latin songs, mingling mambo moves with swing dance.
          Widely considered the father of Chicano theater, Luis Valdez was born in Delano, California, and grew up in a farm working family, harvesting crops until he turned 18. He attended San Jose College and worked with the San Francisco Mime Troupe. In 1965, Valdez merged his interests in theater and the United Farm Workere by founding El Theatro Campesino (The Farmworkers' Theater). El Teatre Campesino entertained striking farmworkers, supported them in their marches, and attracted public attention to their cause. In 1968, El Teatro Campesino won a special Obie Award; today it is part of the Mexican American Centro Campesino Cultural in Fresno, California. Mr. Valdez writes and directs films and plays, including the film La Bamba, the most successful Latino film to come out of Hollywood.
          The talented cast of 28 actors and dancers is led by Marco Rodriguez as El Pachuco the play's mystical master of ceremonies. Mr. Rodriguez made his professional theater debut in the original Los Angeles production of Zoot Suit, toured Europe with Luis Valdez' Teatre Campesino, and has guest-starred on a number of television series, including "ER," "NYPD Blue," and "Nash Bridges." Andrew Navarro appears as falsely accused gang leader Henry Reyna. Mr. Navarro appeared at the Goodman earlier this season in The Odyssey, after appearing in the Goodman Studio last season in Rebecca Gilman's Spinning Into Butter. He most recently appeared as Richards in A Cryof Players at Timeline Theatre. Amy Landecker appears as Alice Bloomfield, the social activist who led the campaign to free Henry Reyna and his friends. Ms. Landecker appeared as Claudia in Danny Bouncing at Victory Gardens, as Grace in Bus Stop at American Theater Company, Sylvie in El Paso Blue at Next Theater, and makes her Goodman debut in Zoot Suit.
          Completing the ensemble, listed here in alphabetical order are: Eric Avlles (Rudy Reyna); Parrish Collier (Zooter); Mary Ann De La Cruz (Manchuka); Sandra Delgado (Elena Torres); Ariane Dolan (Guers); Nell Friedman (Lieutenant/Judge/Prison Guard); Kevin Gudahl (George); Carole Gutierrez (Dolores Reyna); Seth Hoff (Cub Reporter/Swabbie); Sal Ingurgio (Ragman/Newsboy/Meat); Thomas Vincent Kelly (Sergeant/Bailiff/Marine); Joel Maisonet (Rafas); Shana Montanez (Lupe Reyna); Sandra Marquez (Bertha); Gustavo Mellado (Enrique Reyna); Robyn Payne (Singer); Kristin Pichaske (Hoba); Steve Pickerlng (Press); Stephanie Santos (Della Barrios); Joe Sikora (Tommy); Chava Ariel Smith (Little Blue); Kate Strobehn (Singer/; Edward Torres (Joey Castro); Lakin Valdez (Rudy); Keely Vasquez (Singer).
          The design team for Zoot Suit includes Christopher Acebo (Sets); Nan Zabriskie Costumes);Michael Philippi (Lighting); Michael Bodeen (Sound); Daniel Valdez (Musical Direction/Original Music Composition); Randy Duncan (Choreography).
          American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Goodman Theatre's 1999-2000 season. The 1999-2000 free Student Subscription Series for Chicago public high schools is supported in part by Kraft Foods, an operating company of Philip Morris Companies Inc, Oldsmobile is the Official Automotive Sponsor of the Goodman Theatre's 1999-2000 season.
          Zoot Suit will appear on the Goodman Mainstage Friday, June 16 through Sunday, July 30, 2000 (Press Opening Monday, June 26, 7:00 p.m.). A complete performance calendar follows. Tickets for Zoot Suit, priced from $29 to $42, may be purchased at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, located at 200 S. Columbus Drive, or may be charged by phone by calling (312) 443-3800. For group tickets call (312) 443-3849. Ask about Tix-At-Six for half-priced tickets on the day of performance.
          The Goodman Cafe featuring The Corner Bakery, a fast, easy and delicious service at the Goodman, will be open one hour before every performance of Zoot Suit. Offering a tantalizing array of fresh sandwiches and scrumptious desserts from Chicago's famed Corner Bakery, The Goodman Caf~ is the perfect spot for pre-show dining. For further ticket information, call the Goodman Theatre Box Office at (312) 443-3800.

Please Note Special Event - An Evening With Zoot Suit
          The Goodman Theatre's 1999-2000 Theater Arts Series presents "An Evening With Zoot Suit' on Tuesday, June 27; 6:00 p.m. reception followed by 6:30 p.m- program in the Goodman Theatre Mainstage, 200 S. Columbus Drive. Luis Valdez, playwright of Zoot Suit and founder of El Teatro Campesino and Daniel Valdez, musical director for the Goodman Theatre's production of Zoot Suit will discuss their experiences in conceiving and producing the original production of Zoot Suitfor stage and film. The discussion is moderated by Goodman Artistic Associate Henry Godinez, the director of the Goodman's production of Zoot Suit. Tickets for "An Evening With Zoot Suit' are priced at $10 for the general public; $8 for Goodman Theatre subscribers and donors and members of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum; $5 for students and seniors. For further information or to purchase tickets, call (312) 443-3800.