A top-flight cast of musical theater greats is now rocking rehearsal for Revolution(s)—the all-new punk/metal/hip-hop musical by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave) and Chicago’s Zayd Ayers Dohrn (2016 Horton Foote New American Play Prize-winner). Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, the world-premiere production opens the Centennial 25/26 Season in The Goodman's intimate Owen Theatre. The cast includes Jackie Burns (Broadway’s Wicked), Jakeim Hart (Broadway’s Almost Famous), Michael Earvin Martin (The Color Purple), Al’Jaleel McGhee (Steppenwolf’s Noises Off), Aaron James McKenzie (OBC’s A Beautiful Noise), Billy Rude (Matchbox Magic Flute) and Alysia Velez (Broadway’s Into the Woods). The Ensemble includes Haley Gustafson (The Who’s Tommy), Christopher Kelley (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), Eric A. Lewis (Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary National Tour), Jarais Musgrove (Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale), AJ Paramo (The Muny’s Bring It On) and Kendal Marie Wilson (Theo Ubique’s Diana: The Musical). Understudies include Joseph Anthony Byrd (The Ballad of Emmett Till), Daryn Whitney Harrell (The Color Purple) and Ty Shay (Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s The Lord of the Rings: A Musical Tale). Arrangements and orchestrations are by Music Supervisor Jason Michael Webb; additional lyrics by Boots Riley, Big Boi, Killer Mike, Knife Party, Grandson, Ryan Harvey, Matt Shultz, Chris Stapleton and Anne Preven. Movement is by Choreographer Millicent Johnnie. Revolution(s) appears October 4 – November 9 in the 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. For tickets ($34-104, subject to change), visit the Box Office (170 N. Dearborn), call 312.443.3800 or purchase online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Revolutions. The Goodman is grateful for the support of The Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust (Lead Sponsor of IDEAA Programming).
“It’s funny, this relationship between life and art,” said Goodman Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth. “Once in a while, a writer imagines a moment, and just when the play premieres, that fever dream has actually come to be. Such is the story of Revolution(s)—a play set a bit in the past and vividly reflective of the vortex that is the right now. These are the moments when I am deeply grateful for brave artists—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, Tom Morello and Steve H. Broadnax III—an intrepid audience, and a most durable and powerful art form.”
“I’m very excited to be here in Chicago to create an incredible, entertaining, rocking, important new musical experience for our audiences,” said Tom Morello. “In this show, generation after generation proves that courage is contagious. It’s a reminder that history is not something that happens; history is something that we make. The world is not going to change itself—it’s changed by people no different than anyone here on this stage and in this theater.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled with the team we’ve put together for Revolution(s),” said Zayd Ayers Dohrn, playwright. “The cast brings together the best of Broadway and the best of Chicago—appropriate for a musical born and bred here—with half the cast made up of incredible local talent. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the show these brilliant folks are putting together. It’s going to be unlike anything people have seen or heard before.”
In Revolution(s), when soldier and aspiring musician Hampton Falk-Weems (Aaron James McKenzie) comes home from Afghanistan, he finds the South Side of Chicago is also occupied territory—and he’s accidentally joined the resistance. This all-new radical musical event from Tom Morello and Chicago’s own Zayd Ayers Dohrn pulses with punk, hip-hop and metal, and celebrates the courage that inspires us—across generations—to demand a better world.
"In directing this world-premiere production, I have found that dreams do come true: I used to come to The Goodman as an audience member and as an educator, but never did I believe I’d get the opportunity to direct in one of America’s most prolific theaters,” said Steve H. Broadnax III. “I believe the idea for this musical is this: Injustice cannot be met with violence, nor with complacency. The revolution lies in our daily acts, large or small, until justice and equality are reached. ‘Whatever it takes’ is not a slogan, but a vow rooted in love.”
THE COMPANY OF REVOLUTION(S)
Jackie Burns (Emma) is Broadway’s longest running Elphaba in Wicked. Most recently, Burns led the cast of two world premieres: Burlesque in the UK and Hard Road to Heaven at Bucks County Playhouse. She starred as “Celine Dion” in the Off-Broadway smash Titanique. Broadway/Tour: If/Then (starring as Elizabeth), Hair (Tony Award Winning/OBC) and Rock of Ages (original Off-Broadway company). Regional/New Works: Cowboy Bob (Alley Theatre), A Walk On The Moon (George Street Playhouse). Film/TV: Set it Up, The Magnificent Meyersons, Ghost, FBI Most Wanted, Great Wall of Warren. @jackieburnsnyc
Jakeim Hart (Ernie) makes his Goodman Theatre debut! Broadway: Almost Famous (Dennis Hope, understudy Russell). Off-Broadway: Sing Street (NYTW); Saturday Night (Second Stage). Regional: We Live in Cairo (A.R.T.). Television: Blue Bloods (CBS); The Affair (Showtime). Debut EP Bad Country coming soon to streaming. Proudly on the autism spectrum. For Keith Hart. @jakeim_hart
Michael Earvin Martin, he/him (Sunny) returns to The Goodman after appearing in The Color Purple. Chicago credits: The Little Mermaid (Drury Lane Theatre); Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 1776, The Music Man, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Marriott Theatre); Billy Elliot, Groundhog Day (Paramount Theatre); The Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); United Flight 232 (The House Theatre of Chicago, Jeff Award - Best Ensemble); Kentucky (The Gift Theatre). TV: Chicago Fire (NBC). Represented by Paonessa Talent . @michaelearvinmartin
Al'Jaleel McGhee (Leon) Chicago: Noises Off (Steppenwolf); Intimate Apparel, Fireflies (Northlight); Hamlet (Chicago Shakes); Paradise Blue, To Catch A Fish (TimeLine); Blues for an Alabama Sky (Court). Regional: Toni Stone (Huntington Theatre); Noises Off (Geffen Playhouse). TV: Currently appearing on Duster (HBO); Lady in the Lake, Shining Girls (Apple); 61st Street (AMC); Power: Force (Starz). Education: Northwestern Acting Inaugural Cohort (MFA), UIC, NC Central. @AntwonChekhov
Aaron James McKenzie (Hampton Falk-Weems) makes his Goodman Theatre debut. Previous credits include A Beautiful Noise (OBC); Choir Boy (Yale Repertory Theatre); Wanted (Papermill Playhouse); RENT (Japan Tour); Godfather of Harlem (MGM+); Bull (CBS). @aaron.j.mckenzie
Billy Rude (Sean) is an award-winning actor and musician, and very proud to be working with this team of artists. Credits include: Matchbox Magic Flute (Goodman Theatre); Grease (Drury Lane Oakbrook); Sunset Boulevard (Porchlight Music Theatre), and more. Other credits include: HAIR (Broadway Music Circus); South Pacific (Billings Symphony); Million Dollar Quartet (Berkshire Theatre Group) and more. Tour credits: Million Dollar Quartet (Gershwin Tour). TV/Film: Chicago PD (NBC). @billy_rude
Alysia Velez, she/her (Lucia) Broadway: Original Broadway cast of Into the Woods (Rapunzel, 2022); Broadway National Tour of Into the Woods (Rapunzel 2023). Off-Broadway: For You, Paige (TikTok Musical). Regional: In the Heights (Vanessa, TUTS); In The Heights (Vanessa, The Muny); In the Heights (Vanessa, Broadway at Music Circus); Hansel and Gretel (Sandman/Dew Fairy, Magic City Opera). Film: In the Heights (Salsa Dancer). Awards: Grammy Award Winner for the Into The Woods 2022 Broadway cast album. Velez is a songwriter, choreographer and director showcased in her show In The Pattern.
Zayd Ayers Dohrn (Playwright) Goodman Theatre debut. Plays include The Profane (Playwrights Horizons), Outside People (The Vineyard/Naked Angels), Reborning (The Public/SPF), and Sick (NNPN). Awards include: Horton Foote New American Play Prize, Jean Kennedy Smith Award, Sky Cooper Prize, Theater Masters Visionary Playwright Award, and Lincoln Center’s Lecomte du Nouy Prize. Dohrn's original podcast Mother Country Radicals (Crooked Media) recently won the award for “Best Audio Storytelling” at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Gold Medal for Best Narrative/Documentary at the New York Festivals Radio Awards; he is currently adapting it into a TV series at Universal, developing an original series for Peacock TV, and writing a feature film for Netflix. Dohrn is a Professor at Northwestern and Director of the MFA in Writing for the Screen + Stage. He is also a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and the WGA. ZaydDohrn.com
Tom Morello (Music and Lyrics) is living proof of the transformative power of rock’n’roll. Known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous riffs, Morello is a groundbreaking artist whether in his solo career or as an original member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave—two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. His trademark style, innovative techniques, and effects that resemble turntable scratching redefined electric guitar playing and were crucial components of Rage Against the Machine's rap-metal sonic attack and Audioslave’s numerous radio hits, not only helping catapult Morello and both those bands to multi-platinum success but leading to his recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as #18 on the “100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time” and subsequent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame. Morello's signature guitar could also be heard in supergroups Prophets of Rage, Street Sweeper Social Club as well as a six year stint with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Additionally, Harvard graduate Morello has for decades been a vocal political activist and solo artist who has championed countless human rights and workers rights causes.
Steve H. Broadnax III (Director) Thoughts of a Colored Man (Broadway); World Premiere of Susan Lori Parks’ Sally and Tom (Guthrie Theatre, Public Theatre); Katori Hall’s 2021 Pulitzer Prize Premiere of The Hot Wing King (Signature Theatre); Premiere of Lee Edward Colston’s The First Deep Breath (Victory Garden Theatre, Winner of Jeff Awards Best New Work; Geffen Theatre), Dominique Morisseau’s Blood at the Root (National Black Theatre; Winner of Kennedy Center’s Hip Hop Theater Creator Award) and William Jackson Harper’s Premiere Travisville (NYC Ensemble Studio). Ensemble Studio Theatre member and serves as the Associate Artistic Director at People’s Light Theatre and a Professor of Theatre at Penn State University; Co-Head of MFA Directing.
Revolution(s)
By Zayd Ayers Dohrn
Music and Lyrics by Tom Morello
Additional lyrics by Boots Riley, Big Boi, Killer Mike, Knife Party, Grandson, Ryan Harvey, Matt Shultz, Chris Stapleton and Anne Preven
Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III
Jackie Burns...Emma Falk
Jakeim Hart...Ernesto “Ernie” Falk-Weems
Michael Earvin Martin...Sunny Weems
Al'Jaleel McGhee...Leon Weems
Aaron James McKenzie...Hampton Falk-Weems
Billy Rude...Sean Collins
Alysia Velez...Lucia “Lucy” San Martin
Haley Gustafson, Christopher Kelley, Eric Lewis, Jarais Musgrove, AJ Paramo, Kendal Marie Wilson...Ensemble
Joseph Anthony Byrd, Daryn Whitney Harrell, Ty Shay...Understudies
Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. Brett Presson is the Production Stage Manager. Imani Ross is the Stage Manager.
Orchestra
Music Director/Associate Music Supervisor/Conductor/Bass...Paul Mutzabaugh
Associate Conductor/Keyboards...Jo Ann Daugherty
Drumset, Percussion...Dan Leali
Acoustic and Electric Guitar...Gary Guzman
Acoustic and Electric Guitar...Chris Siebold
Creative Team
Music Supervisor, Arrangements and Orchestrations...Jason Michael Webb
Choreographer…Millicent Johnnie
Set Designer…Derek McLane
Costume Designer…Raquel Adorno
Lighting Designer…Greg Hofmann
Sound Designer…Stephanie Farina
Projections Designer...Rasean Davonté Johnson
Intimacy and Violence...Greg Geffrard and Sheryl Williams
Line Producer/Dramaturg…Kat Zukaitis
Associate Director…Zack Steele
Associate Costume Designer...Lia Wallfish
Assistant Director...Lo Williams
Assistant Choreographer…Sarah Ann Sulewski
Assistant Projections Designer...Parker Molacek
Assistant Lighting Designer...Stark Winter
Score Supervisor...Stu Mindeman
Music Assistant...Samuel Perlman
Script Assistant...Tor Campbell
ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
Visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Access for more information about The Goodman’s accessibility efforts.
ASL-Interpreted: October 24 at 7:30pm – An ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Audio-Described: October 25 at 2pm; Touch Tour; 12:30pm – Action audibly enhanced via headset.
Spanish-Subtitled: October 25 at 7:30pm – Spanish-translated dialogue via LED sign.
Open-Captioned: October 26 at 2pm – LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
ABOUT THE GOODMAN
Since 1925, The Goodman has been more than a stage. A theatrical home for artists and a gathering space for community, it’s where stories come to life—bold in artistry and rich in history, deeply rooted in the city it serves.
Led by Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, The Goodman sparks conversation, connection and change through new plays, reimagined classics and large-scale musicals. With distinctions including nearly 200 world or American premieres, two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and nearly 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards, The Goodman is proud to be the first theater to produce all 10 plays of August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” In addition, the theater frequently serves as a production partner—with national and international companies to Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters—to help amplify theatrical voices.
But The Goodman believes a more empathetic, more connected Chicago is created one story at a time, and counts as its greatest legacy the community it’s built. Generation-spanning productions and programs offer theater for a lifetime; from Theater for the Very Young (plays designed for ages 0-5) to the long-running annual A Christmas Carol, which has introduced new generations to theater over five decades, The Goodman is committed to being an asset for all of Chicago. Education and Engagement programs led by Clifford Director of Education and Engagement Jared Bellot and housed in the Alice Rapoport Center use the tools of theater to spark imagination, reflection and belonging. Each year, these programs reach thousands of people (85% from underserved communities) as well as educators, artists and lifelong learners across the city.
The Goodman stands on the unceded homelands of the Council of the Three Fires—the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations—and acknowledges the many other Nations for whom this land now called Chicago has long been home, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. The Goodman is proud to partner with the Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum (Gichigamiin-Museum.org) and the Center for Native Futures (CenterForNativeFutures.org)—organizations devoted to honoring Indigenous stories, preserving cultural memory, and deepening public understanding.
The Goodman was founded by William O. Goodman and his family to honor the memory of Kenneth Sawyer Goodman—a visionary playwright whose bold ideas helped shape Chicago’s early cultural renaissance. That spirit of creativity and generosity endures today. In 2000, through the commitment of Mr. Goodman’s descendants—Albert Ivar Goodman and his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton—The Goodman opened the doors to its current home in the heart of the Loop.