Chicago's Goodman Theatre has announced casting for its upcoming production of Britta Johnson's Life After. The new musical will make its Chicago premiere running June 11–July 17. Opening night is set for June 22.
The cast of nine will star Samantha Williams, seen on the Broadway stage in Caroline, Or Change and Dear Evan Hansen, as Alice, a teenager searching for facts and learning the truth is often more complicated as she tries to understand the events that changed her family in a single night. Williams will be joined by Paul Alexander Nolan (Slave Play) as Frank, Lucy Panush as Hannah, Bryonha Marie Parham (A Commercial Jingle for Regina Comet) as Beth, Jen Sese (Hair) as Mrs. Hopkins, Skyler Volpe as Kate, Chelsea Williams (In Transit) as Fury, Lauryn Hobbs as Fury, and Ashley Pérez Flanagan (Freestyle Love Supreme) as Fury.
Understudies for this production include Stef Tovar, Claire Kwon, Ariana Burks, Alanna Chavez, and Antoinette Comer.
“It’s rare and special to encounter a new musical with the depth, beauty, and heart as Life After, complete with such an elegant original score. Britta Johnson is one of the most exciting new talents to emerge on the international theatre scene, and it’s a joy to produce her extraordinary new work, and to welcome back director Annie Tippe and this wonderful company,” said Artistic Director Robert Falls in a statement.
Lucille Lortel winner Tippe will direct the production which will feature choreography by Ann Yee, set design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Sarafina Bush, lighting design by Yi Zhao, and sound design by Joanna Lynne Staub, with music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Lynne Shankel.
Jocelyn Prince will serve as dramaturg, Briana Fahey as production stage manager, and Mario Wolf as stage manager. New York Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting/Merri Sugarman and Chicago Casting is by Lauren Port and Rachael Jimenez.
Life After made its world premiere at Toronto's Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage in 2017. The production won multiple Dora Awards before the play made its American debut in 2019 at San Diego's The Old Globe.
For tickets and more information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org.
