Photo: Anthony Lee Irons, Jeff Louis Kurysz, and Keith Kupferer in the 2016 New Stages Festival production of SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN.

Goodman Theatre has announced the cast for the premiere of SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN, a new comedy by Ellen Fairey. The play, which was developed in the Goodman’s 2016 New Stages Festival and received the Edgerton Foundation New Plays Award, “explores shifting social and gender roles through the lens of four men who gather every Thursday night to vent about middle-aged maladies.”

Kimberly Senior directs the 7-member cast, featuring Anthony Irons as Delano; Ryan Kitley as Brian; Keith Kupferer as Roger; Jeff Louis Kurysz as Alex; Tommy Rivera-Vega as Kevin; Sadieh Rifai as Officer Delgado and Eric Slater as Officer Novack. The creative team includes Jack Magaw (set), Noël Huntzinger (costumes), Jen Schriever (lighting) and Richard Woodbury (sound).

“I can’t wait to share SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN with Goodman Theatre audiences,” said Senior. “Ellen has written a wonderful new comedy that is richly contemporary with incredible heart and has Chicago coursing through its veins. This cast of brilliant Chicago talent—many of which have been involved in the development process—breathe such life and depth into Ellen’s multifaceted characters that the audience has the opportunity to embrace their own flaws.”

SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN plays June 23 – July 29 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre. More information is available at GoodmanTheatre.org/SupportGroup.