Goodman Theatre’s ‘Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil’ Is The Next Big Thing

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a brand new musical based on the non-fiction book of the same name. Intertwining a murder mystery with Georgia society, a risqué club performer, and great new music, this is a show not to be missed!

One of the best things about theatre in Chicago is that we get everything. Six days out of almost every week of the year (minus Mondays, when theaters are dark), you can see one-person shows, independent works by new playwrights, touring musical productions, classic plays, and everything else under the sun. And every now and then, you can also see something that is likely on its way to Broadway.

Goodman Theatre’s new production of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a charming and spicy musical based on the 1994 New York Times best-selling book by John Berendt that was also turned into a 1997 film of the same name.

The story centers around the real-life murder of Danny Hansford (played by a fervent Austin Colby) by local antique dealer, Jim Williams (played with southern charm by Tom Hewitt), his sometime lover, in Savannah, Georgia. While the details around the murder are a mystery, the commentary around what one can get away with based on class, race, connections, and finances is not. That is to say that if you were white and positioned yourself correctly, particularly in the south in Georgia in the 1980s, you could get away with just about anything.

While Danny and Jim are both primary characters, you meet others in the town who play just as important a role. Emma Dawes, a deliciously southern foe of Jim’s (played by a spunky Sierra Boggess), is a nervy “bless your heart” kind of woman. Looking to outshine the others and structure the town in the way she wants, she leads a pack of hens who are all determined to stay in the upper crust and maintain their invitations to both the literal and proverbial party.

Then there is Lady Chablis, a transgender club performer, who is the heart of the show – and steals it outright. She is elegant, eccentric, and unafraid to express herself in such a way that lets everyone know that she will not fit into any box – and nor should you. Played by the magnetic Tony and Grammy award-winning actor J. Harrison Ghee, Lady Chablis is a character for the ages.

The show in itself is hilariously funny. Shake-your head-in-recognition, blink-your-eyes-with-surprise, belly-laugh, and hope-that-you-don’t-miss-the-next-line kind of funny. It is quick, it is witty, it is bawdy, and it keeps the show vibrant and fresh.

While this is a brand new show, it is extremely polished. It feels as if these performers have been working together on this set, with this music for years. The choreography is tight with beautiful visuals throughout, and the sets are magnificent. The show makes you feel as if you are in Savannah with moss hanging from the ceiling, intricately designed statues, southern housing architecture, and other set and sound intricacies you aren’t even aware of that influence the vibe.

The story is interesting, although a bit slow, just like the stereotypical southern culture. You feel as if you should grab a glass of iced tea and lay back while things take shape. And while this works for much of the show, the second act feels a bit light in terms of the plot.

That said, the audience participation keeps things moving. The actors engage with various audience members throughout the show. It adds to the fun and is incredibly entertaining.

Then there is the score. The music and lyrics (by Jason Robert Brown) are solid with jazz, disco, blues, rock, and R&B influences and certainly live up to the musicals of the day. With an earworm inspired by “Sad House” and what is bound to become an empowerment anthem in “More Room,” this is music that we can expect to hear more about in the future.

The recommendation by Goodman is that the show is suitable for people 14+. Based on the (hilarious) profanity, if you have a sensitive teen, you may want to air on the side of 16+.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a fantastic new show that we will hear much more about while in Chicago and after. Be sure to see J. Harrison Ghee in this role. You’ll be so glad that you did.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil runs for approximately 2 hours 40 minutes with a 15-minute intermission.

Goodman Theatre: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Chicago Review – Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is playing at The Goodman Theatre through 8/11/24. 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.