Theatre News Wire

Artistic Associate Regina Taylor kicks off 2011 at Goodman Theatre with her most ambitious work to date, the critically-acclaimed The Trinity River Plays. "Florid, earthy and abundantly alive" (Dallas Morning News), Taylor's new trilogy consists of three stylistically distinct plays-Jar Fly, Rain and Ghoststory-that follow Iris Spears and her matriarchal Texas family. Ethan McSweeny directs this world premiere, in which Taylor explores transformative moments throughout Iris' life and the intricacies of her relationship with her mother. The ensemble cast features Chicago actress Karen Aldridge as Iris, and stage and screen star Penny Johnson Jerald as her protective mother, Rose. The Trinity River Plays, a coproduction with Dallas Theater Center, runs January 15 - February 20, 2011 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre; tickets are $25 - $78.

"The Trinity River Plays came to me when I was sorting through things after my mother's death. I was inspired by the storms that we go through in our lives, and how we navigate through those storms," recalls playwright Regina Taylor. "I think of these plays as different chapters in the life of Iris Spears-and they are each able to stand alone or work altogether as a triloger. Together, the plays draw a portrait of Iris as she overcomes life's seemingly insurmountable obstacles."

In the first play, Jar Fly, Iris is determined to go to college and become a writer, while her rebellious cousin Jasmine has dropped out of high school to follow a path of self-destruction. The cousins come to a crossroads when Jasmine draws Iris into the terrible secret she has been hiding since childhood. In the second play, Rain (first seen as part of the Goodman's 2009 New Stages Series), fiercely independent Iris has made a successful life for herself as a journalist in New York City-but when her marriage fails, she begins to unravel. In search of solace, Iris returns to her mother's house in Texas, but her homecoming proves more confounding than consoling when her mother makes a shocking announcement. As longburied family secrets come to light, Iris must face her past and make some difficult decisions about the future. In Ghoststory, the third play in The Trinity River Plays, Iris is surprised by a visit from her estranged husband, Frank, desperate for a reconciliation. But before this reconnection can be explored, she must confront and embrace the specters of her past that continue to haunt her present.

As previously announced, the cast is completed by Jacqueline Williams as Rose's sister Daisy; Christiana Clark as Iris' rebellious cousin Jasmine; Jefferson A. Russell as Jasmine's stepfather, Ray Earl (in Jar Fly), and Iris' ex-husband, Frank (in Rain and Ghoststory); and Samuel Ray Gates as Jack, Iris' love interest (in Jary Fly and Ghoststory. McSweeny has tapped an award-winning design team for the co-production-Todd Rosenthal (Set), Karen Perry (Costumes), Tyler Micoleau (Lighting), Steven Cahill (Sound/Original Music) and Daryl Waters (Original Music).

Tickets to The Trinity River Plays ($25 - $78) are currently on sale at GoodmanTheatre.org. Tickets and subscriptions can also be purchased at the box office (170 North Dearborn) or by phone at 312.443.3800. Mezztix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online (promo code MEZZTIX) day of performance; Mezztix are not available by telephone. 10Tix are $10 rear mezzanine tickets for students available at 12 noon at the box office, and at 10am online on the day of performance; 10Tix are not available by telephone; a valid student I.D. must be presented when picking up the tickets; limit four per student with I.D. All tickets are subject to availability and handling fees apply. Discounted Group Tickets for 10 persons or more are available at 312.443.3820.