Theater

A bright spot: ‘Holiday’ lights up the Goodman stage

Posted February 11, 2026 5:39 pm

Barbara Vitello

Goodman Theatre’s premiere of Richard Greenberg’s adaptation of Philip Barry’s classic “Holiday” stars Molly Griggs, left, Wesley Taylor, Bryce Gangel, Luigi Sottile and Jordan Lage. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

“Holiday” — 3 stars

Artistic director Susan V. Booth captured the essence of Goodman Theatre’s premiere of “Holiday,” adapted by the late playwright Richard Greenberg from Philip Barry’s classic romantic comedy about a middle-class guy falling for an upper-class gal.

In her program notes, Booth described Greenberg’s shrewd, stimulating adaptation as “a delightful work for the dark winter of a dark year.”

“Holiday” — a meditation on love, work and wealth (both inherited and self-made) — is indeed a bright spot.

Much of the credit belongs to Greenberg, who peppered his wry, witty script with modern cultural references ranging from non-fungible tokens and pickleball to texting, Times Square Elmo and TMZ. The Tony Award-winner also included several theater-related japes that resonated with the opening-night audience. For all its charm, Greenberg’s comedy has real bite. More about that later.

Briskly directed by Robert Falls with solid — at times exceptional — performances, “Holiday” takes place from late 2019 to early 2020. The action unfolds in New York City at the Seton family’s stately, well-appointed Fifth Avenue mansion. (Walt Spangler’s sets, particularly the enchanting attic space that dominates the second act, elicited oohs and aahs from the opening-night audience).

Luigi Sottile’s Johnny Case and Bryce Gangel’s Linda Seton have more chemistry than you’d expect between a man and his fiancé’s sister in Goodman Theatre’s premiere of Richard Greenberg’s adaptation of “Holiday” by Philip Barry. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

For those familiar with the 1928 original (which Goodman staged four times between 1930 and 1979) or George Cukor’s beloved 1938 film starring Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, tousle-haired charmer Luigi Sottile plays Johnny Case.

A self-made man from humble beginnings, Johnny has a Yale University degree, a position at a prestigious New York City law firm and a financial stake in a startup he hopes will earn him enough money so that he can retire young and work old.

“I’m going to quit my job and not take another until I find out who I am and what I want,” he explains. “And I want my time to be useful — not just for me but for others, too.”

Johnny Case (Luigi Sottile), second from right, thrives in the presence of feminine energy supplied by Nikka Washburn (Christiana Clark), left, Linda Seton (Bryce Gangel) and Susan Feld (Jessie Fisher) in Goodman Theatre’s highly entertaining “Holiday.” Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

On vacation, he meets and falls in love with textile designer Julia Seton (Molly Griggs). Turns out she’s not a textile designer. She’s an heiress whose wellness company is financed by generational wealth.

After a whirlwind courtship, the couple return home to announce their engagement to the Seton family: father Edward (Jordan Lage), older sister Linda (Bryce Gangel) and younger brother Ned (Wesley Taylor).

While Julia embraces her family’s wealth, her siblings do not. Older sister Linda (Bryce Gangel) distances herself. She retreats to Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood, where she teaches English as a second language and makes art. It’s worth noting that her wealth allows Linda the freedom to pursue those interests, a point Greenberg subtly suggests in the first act and emphatically states in the second when Julia calls out her sister’s privilege.

Wesley Taylor is wonderful as dissolute Ned Seton in Goodman Theatre’s premiere of “Holiday,” Richard Greenberg’s adaptation of Philip Barry’s classic romantic comedy. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

As for sardonic youngest sibling Ned (an impressive Wesley Taylor), he numbs himself with drugs and alcohol — a reflection of genetic predisposition and personal weakness.

Taylor’s standout performance combines resigned pathos and genuine self-awareness that is never self-pitying. Kudos.

Alejandra Escalante and Erik Hellman earn laughs as obnoxious moguls in director Robert Falls’ production of “Holiday,” running through March 1 at Goodman Theatre. Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg

Falls’ production also boasts an impressive supporting cast. Erik Hellman and Alejandra Escalante play deliciously rapacious cousins Seton and Laura Cram, who believe the only thing better than a lot of money is more money.

Christiana Clark and Jessie Fisher play Johnny’s endearingly quirky friends: fundraiser Nikka Washburn and her wife, philanthropist Susan Feld, “heiress to virtuous money.”

Clark’s Nikka serves as “Holiday’s” sage. Her assessment of just-shy-of-charming cutthroat tycoon Edward Seton is spot-on. So are her observations on Johnny and Julia, whose “soul-besotted fact-free” romance she notes is rooted in misunderstanding.

Which brings us back to Greenberg and his pointed yet measured critique of the privilege that makes these characters’ lives possible. He doesn’t condemn them; that would be too easy. Instead the playwright, who succumbed to cancer last year at age 67, grants his characters moments of grace.

Another bright spot in a rather dark winter.

• • •

Location: Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn St., Chicago, (312) 443-3800, goodmantheatre.org

Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday through March 1. Also, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and 24

Running time: About 2 hours 20 minutes, with intermission

Tickets: $34-$104

Parking: Nearby garages; discounted parking with Goodman Theatre validation at the Government Center Self Park at Clark and Lake streets

Rating: For older teens and adults; contains strong language