Casting Announced for Christopher Shinn's TEDDY FERRARA at the Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre announces casting for the world-premiere production of Teddy Ferrara by Pulitzer Prize finalist Christopher Shinn, praised as "among the most provocative and probing of American Playwrights today" (The New York Times) and noted as having "his finger firmly on both the political and dramatic pulse of our times" (The Telegraph). A Goodman Theatre Commission-and part of the Goodman's 2011 New Stages festival-Teddy Ferrara, directed by Evan Cabnet, explores what happens when a tragedy sparks a movement--and the truth gets lost along the way.

The cast includes Liam Benzvi (Gabe), Patrick Clear (University President), Rashaad Hall (Nicky), Ryan Heindl (Teddy Ferrara), Christopher Imbrosciano (Jay), Jax Jackson (Jaq), Dev Kennedy and Fawzia Mirza (Campus Police), Paloma Nozicka (Jenny), Adam Poss (Drew), Josh Salt (Tim), Kelli Simpkins (Ellen) and Janet Ulrich Brooks (University Provost). The design team includes Jenny Mannis (Costume Designer), Keith Parham (Lighting Designer), Lee Savage (Set Designer) and Richard Woodbury (Sound Designer). Headshots and bio information can be found in the Press Room. Teddy Ferrara runs February 2 - March 3, 2013 in the Owen Theatre (opening night is Monday, February 11). Tickets ($14 - $45; subject to change) go on sale Friday, December 14 and are available at GoodmanTheatre.org, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). A full performance calendar and information on other special events appear below.

Teddy Ferrara takes place during Gabe's senior year of college. His future looks bright: he runs the Queer Students Group, he finally has a single room and he recently started dating a great guy. But when a campus tragedy occurs that makes national headlines it ignites a firestorm and throws Gabe's world into disorder. When new evidence surfaces, Gabe discovers that the events surrounding the tragedy aren't as straightforward as they seem, and he is forced to question popular assumptions-and his own life's contradictions.

"In 2010, there was a lot on the news about bullying and suicide in the gay youth community, and I found myself thinking a lot about my own experience and the pain and despair I felt at that age," said Shinn. "This now very public issue became a catalyst to explore the dynamics behind bullying in a play that is relevant to today's young audiences. I didn't aim to write a play about an issue-I aimed to write a play about complex human beings moving through the world."

Katten Muchin Rosenman is the Corporate Sponsor Partner for Teddy Ferrara. The Time Warner Foundation is the Major Supporter of New Play Development and The Glasser and Rosenthal Family and the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust are Supporters of New Work Development. The Davee Foundation is the Major Contributor to Research and Development for New Work. The Joyce Foundation is the Principal Supporter of Artistic Development and Diversity Initiatives.