Musical to kick off Goodman's 2016-17 season

Goodman Theatre artistic director Robert Falls marks 30 years helming one of the nation's pre-eminent theaters with a 2016-17 season that begins and ends with classics. In between will be several new commissions and Chicago area premieres, all of which make up the landmark, nine-play season.

It begins Sept. 10 with a revival of the musical "Wonderful Town," a celebration of New York City directed by resident director Mary Zimmerman. That's followed by the premiere of a co-commission from Goodman and Roundabout Theatre Company of Andrew Hinderaker's "The Magic Play" (Oct. 21-Nov. 20), which examines love and loss within a magic performance.

"Gloria," the dark workplace comedy about young journalists by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, runs Jan. 14 to Feb. 19, 2017. That's followed by Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Baker's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya" (Feb. 11-March 12, 2017).

"Destiny of Desire," Karen Zacarias' telenovela-style comedy about babies switched at birth runs March 11 to April 16, 2017. Goodman commission "King of the Yees," a comedy by Lauren Yee set in San Francisco's Chinatown runs March 31 to April 30, 2017.

Up next is Charles Smith's "Objects in the Mirror" (April 29-June 4, 2017) about a man coping with the terrible memories of his childhood in war-torn Liberia. That's followed by Dael Orlandersmith's tribute to Billie Holiday "Lady in Denmark" (May 19-June 18, 2017).

Goodman's regular season concludes with a revival of Eugene O'Neill's comedy about teenage love and rebellion, "Ah, Wilderness!" (June 17-July 23, 2017).

Non-subscriptions events include the New Stages Festival (Sept. 21-Oct. 9); the theater's 39th annual production of "A Christmas Carol" (Nov. 19-Dec. 31) and The Second City parody "Twist Your Dickens (Dec. 1-31).

Performances take place at 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Season subscriptions start at $90. (312) 443-3800 or goodmantheatre.org.