Ashland Avenue is one of the longest streets in Chicago. Ashland Avenue is a play that just premiered at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.

The only setting for Ashland Avenue is Pete’s TV and Radio, a Chicagoland staple on Ashland Avenue for more than 40 years. The owner is Pete, locally famous for his quirky ads and customer care. His daughter, Sam, and her husband, Mike, help him run the original store, the lone survivor from what once was a 16-store chain. Widower Pete lives platonically with a much-younger Jess and her two young children.

Pete has plans to revive the struggling store, but Sam and Mike have other plans. Meanwhile, Jess has her own plans, which don’t include Pete, as she sees a reunion with her addict husband. They are the only five characters on stage.

Jenna Fischer and Francis Guinan – photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Jenna Fischer as Sam and Francis Guinan as Pete do an amazing job portraying the complex relationship between an adult daughter and father. Chike Johnson as Mike lends a lot of humor playing off either character. Cordelia Dewdney as Jess delicately delivers a performance which, at times, appears selfish yet covers many conflicting emotions. Lastly, although Will Allan as Charley has a limited role, he gives one of the most powerful performances. There was no weak link in this quintet.

Francis Guinan, Jenna Fischer and Chiké Johnson – photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Written by Lee Kirk and directed by Susan V. Booth, Ashland Avenue runs two hours plus a short intermission. It seemed much shorter, as snappy dialogue kept the play moving.

Jenna Fischer and Francis Guinan – photo by Todd Rosenberg.

With a lot unresolved at intermission, we guessed how it would end. I will not reveal any spoilers, but I will say the ending surprised me in a fantastic way.

Cordelia Dewdney and Francis Guinan – photo by Toddd Rosenberg.

Ashland Avenue ran the gamut of emotions. At times I felt for every character. At other times I also felt angered by each, except maybe Mike. Overall, all characters were likable. This speaks volumes to the depth of the writing and the portrayals. Ashland Avenue has been so well-received, its run has already been extended through Oct. 12.

Francis Guinan and Will Allan – photo by Todd Rosenberg.

Opened in 1925, Goodman Theater relocated to the theater district in the heart of downtown in 2000. Housing two auditoriums, it is both modern and classic. It’s a beautiful venue with great sightlines and comfortable, roomy seats.

— John Wroblewski, online writer