Goodman Theatre’s Iceboy! Becomes Highest-Selling Production in Theater’s 100-Year History (Chicago, IL) – Goodman Theatre has set a new box office record during its centennial season, announcing that Iceboy! or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write “The Iceman Cometh” has become the highest-selling production in the theater’s 100-year history.
The musical comedy, starring Emmy Award winners Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, has welcomed more than 53,000 audience members while playing to 99% capacity, surpassing previous attendance records held by War Paint (52,851 attendees in 2016) and The Who’s Tommy (50,980 attendees in 2023). The production has also drawn visitors from all 50 states and 23 countries.
Originally scheduled for a shorter engagement, Iceboy! has been extended three times and will conclude its run Aug. 16 at the 856-seat Albert Theatre.
Goodman Theatre Executive Director John Collins said the milestone reflects the organization’s broader mission during its centennial celebration.
“This week alone, The Goodman will serve 13,000 Chicagoans with programs in neighborhoods all over the city. This is The Goodman at 100, meeting audiences in this moment, and we could not be more proud,” Collins said.
“By design, the goal of this Centennial Season—expertly curated by Susan Booth and executed by our world-class Artistic, Education and Engagement, Production and Administrative teams—was to push past what was previously thought possible in order to serve more audiences, in more neighborhoods with more programs than ever before. As we look to begin ‘our second century’ this fall, we hope to build on this success achieved together with our audiences and supporters.”
The musical follows fictional Broadway star Vera Vimm, portrayed by Mullally, who adopts a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal discovered frozen in the Arctic. As the thawed “Iceboy,” played by Grey Henson, becomes a theatrical sensation, he inspires playwright Eugene O’Neill, portrayed by Offerman, while threatening Vera’s place in the spotlight.
The production features music by Tony Award winner Mark Hollmann, lyrics by Hollmann and Jay Reiss, and a book by Erin Quinn Purcell and Reiss. It is directed by Marc Bruni with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter.
In addition to the success of Iceboy!, Goodman Theatre announced several other milestones during its centennial season.
Raven Theatre’s production of Octet, making its downtown Goodman debut, has sold out its extended run through Aug. 2, while the improv duo TJ & Dave also sold out performances scheduled for July 31 and Aug. 1.
The theater also reported record attendance for its free outdoor production of The Lizard y El Sol, which attracted more than 1,200 audience members during the first week of its 12-park tour across Chicago. Due to strong demand, the production has been extended with four additional performances at Chicago Public Library locations.
Meanwhile, The Magic Parlour by Dennis Watkins and Theater of the Mind, created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar, continue their extended engagements.
Founded in 1925, Goodman Theatre is celebrating its 100th anniversary season with expanded programming throughout Chicago. The theater has earned numerous national honors throughout its history, including two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, nearly 200 world or American premieres and almost 200 Joseph Jefferson Awards.
Goodman Theatre’s Iceboy! Becomes Highest-Selling Production in Theater’s 100-Year History
