The Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Critics Circle Award-winning novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao—“a literary triumph (that) confirms Junot Díaz as one of the best and most exciting voices of our time”—comes to Chicago in a new English-language stage adaptation by Marco Antonio Rodríguez, continuing The Goodman’s Centennial 2025/26 Season. Directed by Wendy Mateo, the world-premiere English adaptation features a majority-Dominican cast—including Humboldt Park native Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo (NBC’s Chicago Fire) as the titular Oscar, Julissa Calderon (Netflix’s Gentefied), Rossmery Almonte (HBO's Gordita Chronicles), Yohanna Florentino (Intar Theatre’s Vámonos), Kelvin Grullon (Theaterworks Hartford’s Queen of Basel), Jalbelly Guzmán (A Christmas Carol) and Arik Vega (Clyde’s). Understudies will be announced at a later date.
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao appears February 21 through April 5, 2026 (opening night is March 2) in the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. For tickets ($34-94, subject to change), visit the Box Office (170 N. Dearborn), call 312.443.3800 or purchase online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Oscar. The Goodman is grateful for the support of The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust (Lead Sponsor of IDEAA Programming).
“The elements of this production have come together like destiny—the timing of this piece, the Dominican spirit bursting at the seams,” said director Wendy Mateo, Producing Artistic Director of Teatro Vista. “Between our visionary playwright, the electric cast and the creative geniuses shaping every detail, this is far more than a moment. It feels like we are creating history.”
“I feel immense gratitude and excitement for this extraordinary cast. Their talent and dedication make me confident that the world-premiere will bring the story’s heart, humor and heartbreak to life in ways I’ve only imagined,” said playwright Marco Antonio Rodríguez, who also wrote and directed the Spanish-language production, La Breve y Maravillosa Vida de Oscar Wao, which premiered in 2019 at New York’s Repertorio Español (and currently appears in selected dates). “Watching these actors breathe life into beloved characters is thrilling and humbling. Their commitment and artistry reassure me that this adaptation won’t just be a play, but a living, breathing celebration of identity, resilience and hope.”
Oscar (Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo) knows that a nerdy Dominican college freshman isn’t anyone’s idea of a romantic hero. But with the encouragement of Yunior (Kelvin Grullon), his new roommate, he is determined to give love another chance. As Oscar sets out from New Jersey to Santo Domingo to prove his undeniable hope, can he shake the dark “fukú” that has haunted his family for generations? Junot Díaz’s novel comes to vivid life in this English-language world-premiere adaption—a celebration of risk and the power of perseverance against all odds.
Junot Díaz is the author of the critically acclaimed Drown; The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; and This Is How You Lose Her, a New York Times bestseller and National Book Award finalist. His first picture book, Islandborn, was a New York Times Bestseller and won the CLASP Américas Award 2019.
Marco Antonio Rodríguez is a Dominican-American, award-winning bilingual writer. Named Top 50 Figure in LatinX and Latin American Theatre by Routledge. Acclaimed plays Ashes of Light and Barceló on the Rocks performed all over the world and published by NoPassport Press (available-Amazon.com & lulu.com). Acclaimed Spanish stage adaptation of Junot Díaz' The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao just celebrated five years Off-Broadway at the Spanish Repertory Theatre. His play, Bloom, acclaimed run-New York’s IATI theatre. Published by TRW. Half-hour pilot, Our Friendly Neighbors, produced in short film format by DominiRican Productions. National Hispanic Media Coalition Scriptwriters Program Fellow. The Movement Theatre Company x Black List Playwriting Commission winner where he developed his play, Walk-In. New play, Domino Effect, commissioned by People's Theatre Project, to have Off-Broadway world premiere-spring 2025. Recipient-New York Stage & Film and Space on Ryder Farm Residencies. Voices “Uncle Nestor” in Emmy nominated PBS Kids series Alma’s Way and “Alo” the unicorn on Netflix animated series Barbie: A Touch of Magic.
Wendy Mateo is the Producing Artistic Director of Teatro Vista and an actor, writer, director, filmmaker and content creator. Mateo has been seen throughout Chicago’s stages including the Second City and Lookingglass Theatre where she is an ensemble member. Mateo's directing credits include the play Not for Sale 2.0 by Guadalis del Carmen at UrbanTheater Company and ¡Bernarda! By Emilio Williams at Teatro Vista. On television and film, Mateo can be seen on Chicago Med (NBC), as Ronnie in Station Eleven (HBO) and Steve McQueen’s Widows. As a filmmaker, Wendy has written, directed and produced three short films including the latest, Hair, written and directed by Lorena Diaz and Wendy Mateo, now embarking on a film festival tour.
Founded in 1968, Repertorio Español produces an unparalleled repertoire of contemporary and classical plays from Spain, Latin America and the Latinx/e diaspora. Its rich programming spans Spanish Golden Age masterpieces by Calderón de la Barca, Lope de Vega and Ana Caro de Mallén; nearly the complete works of Federico García Lorca, including the rarely staged The Public; acclaimed plays from Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and Puerto Rico; original adaptations of novels by Gabriel García Márquez, Junot Díaz, Julia Álvarez and Isabel Allende; and groundbreaking works by contemporary Latinx playwrights such as Nilo Cruz, Carmen Rivera, Caridad Svich and Marco Antonio Rodríguez. Presenting approximately 200 performances each year, Repertorio draws diverse audiences from across New York and beyond. The Company’s artistic excellence has been recognized with five OBIE Awards, two Drama Desk Awards and two New York State Governor’s Arts Awards. For tickets and more information, visit Repertorio.nyc.
Company of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (in alphabetical order)
By Marco Antonio Rodríguez
Adapted from the novel by Junot Díaz
Directed by Wendy Mateo
Original Spanish production by Repertorio Español
Rossmery Almonte...La Inca
Julissa Calderon...Lola
Yohanna Florentino...Beli
Kelvin Grullon...Yunior
Jalbelly Guzmán...Jenni/Ybon/Trujillo Woman
Lenin D’Anthony Izquierdo...Oscar Wao
Arik Vega...Dionisio/Manny/Capitan/Goon
CREATIVE TEAM
Costume Designer...Raquel Adorno
Projection Designer...Stefania Bulbarella
Set Designer...Regina Garcia
Lighting Designer...Max Grano De Oro
Sound Designer...Willow James
Cultural Consultant...Rey Andújar
Intimacy and Violence/Movement Coordinator...Gregory Geffrard
Intimacy and Violence Assistant...Tatiana Bustamante
Movement Assistant...Chels Morgan
Script Assistant...Octavio Montes De Oca
Assistant Director...Lo Williams
Assistant Dramaturg...Anna Rogelio Joaquin
Line Producer and Dramaturg...Kat Zukaitis
Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. Isabel Patt is the Production Stage Manager.
ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Access for more information about The Goodman’s accessibility efforts.
ASL-Interpreted...March 13 at 7:30pm – An ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Audio-Described...March 14 at 2pm; Touch Tour; 12:30pm – Action audibly enhanced via headset.
Spanish-Subtitled...March 14 at 7:30pm – Spanish-translated dialogue via LED sign.
Open-Captioned...March 15 at 2pm – LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
ABOUT THE GOODMAN
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Marsha Cruzan is Chair of the Goodman Theatre Board of Trustees; Diane Landgren is Women’s Board President; and Kelli Garcia is president of the Scenemakers Board for Young Professionals.