Goodman Theatre’s ‘BUST’ Is A Hilarious And Exceptional Piece

BUST is an extraordinary new play at Goodman Theatre that is an absolute must-watch. Hysterically funny and poignantly deep, you have never seen anything like this show.

We live in a world full of stories – personal stories that we can all relate to in some way and cultural stories that open our eyes to certain truths that may have always been right in front of us. The way we tell the stories often impacts how the audience receives them, and with BUST, the laugh-out-loud new drama at Goodman Theatre, the storytelling and messaging are stunning.

One day, while sitting on her apartment balcony with her husband, Zeke, and gossiping on the phone, Retta sees a police car drive up and pull a vehicle over. Trent, their grandson, arrives home and begins filming the encounter, both for posterity and because they know the driver, Mr. Woods. When something completely unexpected happens, their worlds are totally impacted, as are those of the police officers and the town around them.

There is so much that I want to say about this show, but that would be taking away from your viewing experience, so I won’t. I will say that this is one of the most astonishing pieces of art that I have seen in a very long time. The story narrative is completely different from anything you could guess, and yet, while there is mystery and confusion around what happened, you cannot wait to get to the next beat. You hunger for more.

BUST is also sidesplittingly funny, with genuine, loving, and entertaining characters and a script that dives deep into their relationships with their surroundings. It’s not an overstatement to say that we’d all be lucky to have most of these friendships in our own lives.

And at the same time, BUST is a commentary on the black experience in America. It dives deep into the anger and pain associated with not being able to be one’s full self because of the stigma associated with being a black person in a world of white privilege. It explores the moments of levity with people who completely understand you and your experience and then suddenly, in the next moment, being up against societal oppression. The depths of both humor and understanding leave you speechless.

BUST is incredible to look at. Costumes are generally bright and colorful, while the police officers (who are white and Honduran) wear dulled-down garb and/or uniforms. The set is a thing of wonder, as entire rooms are moved from one side to the other, as if someone is pushing a dollhouse box off stage so that you can play in the next one.

There is also a section of colored set that is unique to anything else I’ve ever seen. It is circular in nature, but colors ebb and flow based on discussion in the play. I found myself mesmerized by the effects and so deeply-dove in that I started identifying with what I saw visually. There is no way for me to describe it here, but you will know it when you see it.

The cast is sensational, and I would highlight some members, but they are all truly amazing. The realness, anger, hilarity, fear, love, and family that you see on stage through these people is so relatable, so engaging, so shocking, so funny – I am grateful for the cast and their ability to communicate so much with the audience.

This is a show that I cannot speak of highly enough and I am floored by the imagination of Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Zora Howard and the vision of director Lileana Blain-Cruz. Please go and purchase your tickets now, then come back and tell me what you think. This is one of those shows that you need to see. Believe me.

BUST runs for approximately 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission. It is recommended for ages 14 and up.

Goodman Theatre: BUST Chicago Review – BUST is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 5/18/25. Tickets can be purchased on the Goodman Theatre website or by calling (312) 443-3800. Goodman Theatre is located at 170 North Dearborn in Chicago.