Mayor Richard M. Daley —A Lasting Legacy at Goodman Theatre

By Jenny Seidelman, Campaign Manager

On Monday Richard M. Daley ended his 22 year reign as Mayor of Chicago—to date he is the longest serving mayor of our fair city.

His advocacy and enthusiasm for the arts has been significant, and it has lead to such incredible feats, such as the revitalization of the North Loop Theater District, the creation of Millennium Park and—most significantly to Goodman Theatre—the building of our beautiful home on Dearborn Street.

Mayor Daley not only played a key role in securing funding for the new Goodman Theatre, he helped to arrange the donation of the Selwyn and Harris Theaters and he participated in several high-profile events surrounding our building campaign.

At the November 23rd re-dedication ceremony of the new Goodman Theatre, we were very pleased to recognize and thank Mayor Daley and his wife Maggie for the significant contribution they have made to the life of our organization.

An acclaimed cast of actors honored Mayor and Mrs. Daley (and even Ebenezer Scrooge came by for a visit!). Check out this video from the event.

And a more permanent recognition now exists at the Goodman—at the November 23rd event, we dedicated two seats in our Albert Theatre, B-13 and B-14, which bear plaques with Mayor and Mrs. Daley’s names.

Photo: Goodman Executive Director Roche Schulfer, trustee and Campaign for the New Goodman Theatre Leader Peter C.B. Bynoe and Mayor Richard M. Daley at the public announcement of the New Goodman Theatre building project.