Goodman Theatre unveils star-studded centennial season

Zoom in: The theater's premiere production this fall, "Ashland Avenue," is locally inspired by a family business on the titular street and will star Jenna Fischer, who played Pam in "The Office."

• Other productions include August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" starring Chicago actors Chuck Smith and Harry J. Lennix, and the world premiere of the musical comedy, "Iceboy! or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O'Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh," anchored by Megan Mullaly.

Zoom out: The theater company is also launching "100 Free Acts of Theater," which will feature free productions in all 50 wards.

The intrigue: Goodman is leaving its home base on Dearborn to present "Theater of the Mind," from former Talking Heads leader and creative force David Byrne, at the Reid Building on LaSalle.

• Described as an experience rather than a show, "Theater of the Mind" promises to engage all the senses and is inspired by "historical and current neuroscience research."

What's next: "Ashland Avenue" opens Sept. 6.

Go deeper: See all Goodman's centennial celebration events.