The Goodman Theatre has announced a director’s change for its highly anticipated 25/26 Season summer 2026 musical, Iceboy! Or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh. The new director, Marc Bruni, is stepping in to helm the world premiere, replacing the previously announced director, Kathleen Marshall, due to scheduling conflicts. This musical, with music by Mark Hollman, lyrics by Mark Hollman and Jay Reiss, and a book by Erin Quinn Purcell and Jay Reiss, is set to captivate audiences at the 856-seat Albert Theatre from June 9 to July 19, 2026.
Bruni is no stranger to Chicago’s theater scene, having recently directed the world-premiere production of Billie Jean at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. His impressive directorial credits include Broadway’s The Great Gatsby, the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Bull Durham, A Little Night Music, Trevor: The Musical, and many more. With his exceptional track record, Bruni is poised to bring a unique vision to Iceboy!, blending his creative expertise with the musical’s captivating story.
Set in New York City, 1938, Iceboy! explores the unexpected rise of Broadway’s brightest star, Vera Vimm, who adopts a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal, Iceboy, discovered frozen in the Arctic. As Iceboy thaws, he becomes a theatrical sensation, inspiring the legendary playwright Eugene O’Neill and challenging his mother, Vera, for center stage. This unique blend of drama and comedy promises to be a must-see event, offering a fresh and entertaining take on the classic story of ‘All About Eve’ with a prehistoric twist.