When Jenna Fischer takes the stage in Ashland Avenue at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre (Sept. 6–Oct. 12), she’s doing more than debuting a new character. The Emmy-nominated actor — beloved as Pam Beesly on The Office and co-host of the Office Ladies podcast — joins a star-studded lineup for Goodman Theatre’s centennial season.
Fischer will star opposite Chicago stage veteran Francis Guinan in the world premiere of Ashland Avenue, written by her husband, Lee Kirk, and directed by Goodman Artistic Director Susan V. Booth.
Fresh off her arrival in Chicago, Fischer spoke with us about Ashland Avenue, the ways her own family and recent breast cancer journey inform her work, the enduring connection of The Office, and what’s next — including a Green Day–driven adventure on the big screen.
A Family Business at a Crossroads
Ashland Avenue tells the story of Pete’s TV and Video, a once-booming Chicago electronics chain that has dwindled to a single location. Francis Guinan plays Pete, a minor local celebrity known for his legendary commercials — the kind sure to stir recollections of real Chicago spots that have become part of the city’s collective memory. With his business now on the verge of closure, Pete sees an honor by the city as a chance to revive the business, while his daughter Sam — played by Fischer — believes it’s finally time to let go.
“They’re really at odds over the future of the family business,” Fischer explained. “For Sam’s dad, it’s about wrestling with what happens when the world doesn’t find you useful anymore. For Sam, it’s about realizing she never really picked her own path in life. She’s been servicing her father’s dream, and now she’s asking: who is she, separate from all of that?”
Fischer shared that Kirk drew from his own Chicago roots in crafting the story. He attended DePaul, once owned a coffee shop and a small theater with friends, and still has family in Chicago — experiences that gave him a personal perspective on both Chicago and the struggles of running a local business. “He’s been a small business owner in Chicago, and knows the city really well,” Fischer said.
The Impact of Live Theater
Reflecting on what communities lose when local businesses fade, Fischer turned to a brighter counterpoint: the staying power of live theater — a space where people still come together to share something fleeting and unforgettable.
“A small business is more than just a place to consume things — it creates relationships and community,” she said. “That’s what I love about theater too. You have to physically walk into the door, sit down, and have this communal experience. Each show only happens once. What will our collective experience be tonight? That’s what’s so exciting about live theater.”
It’s a fitting reflection as she helps launch Goodman’s centennial season — a celebration of 100 years of creating that very connection, night after night.
Building Community — On Stage and Off
That sense of community has also anchored Fischer’s successful career. She became a household name as Pam Beesly, one of television’s most relatable characters, and has kept that connection alive through Office Ladies, the podcast she co-hosts with Office co-star and best friend Angela Kinsey.
“That was always a part of The Office from the very beginning, that feeling of community,” Fischer said. “Greg Daniels, our showrunner, always said a good idea can come from anywhere. That collaborative spirit was such a generous way to work.”
With the podcast, Fischer and Kinsey extend that openness directly to fans — even famous ones. Fischer recounted her delight when Billie Eilish — who grew up quoting The Office and once admitted she thought U2 was from Scranton thanks to Michael Scott — came to the studio to talk about her fandom on an episode of the podcast, a reminder of how it’s become a gathering place for fans of every generation.
“We know we can’t get more episodes of The Office, but we’re happy to geek out over them with you,” Fischer said. “Everyone’s welcome — we don’t need to keep you at arm’s length.”
Looking Ahead: New Year’s Rev
After her run at the Goodman, Fischer will turn to the release of her next project, New Year’s Rev, written and directed by Kirk in collaboration with Green Day. The film follows a high school punk band on a road trip from their hometown in Kansas to Los Angeles after being duped into believing they’re opening for the legendary rock band on New Year’s Eve.
“It’s a really, really funny road trip movie, but it also has a lot of heart and an excellent cast of young actors,” Fisher said. “I have a great part in the movie.”
Her Office Ladies co-host Kinsey also joins the cast, along with Mckenna Grace, Fred Armisen, Bobby Lee, and Sean Gunn.
“And it has an amazing soundtrack — wall-to-wall Green Day music and the band even appears in the movie,” she said.
A Personal Journey
Ashland Avenue and New Year’s Rev also mark Fischer’s first acting roles since completing treatment for breast cancer. She described her return to stage and screen as not only a personal milestone but an opportunity to bring new depth to her performances.
“An actor’s toolkit is the life they’ve lived, mixed with their imagination,” she said. “I’ve lived a lot more life in the last year and a half, and so my toolkit is filled with deeper experiences. I’m excited to translate those into my work.”
Family Time
Balancing work and motherhood has always been central for Fischer. Her family temporarily relocated with her to Chicago ahead of rehearsals, and they immediately began exploring the city together.
“I’ve only ever been a tourist in Chicago before, so I’m excited to really live in the city for this period of time,” she said. “We’ve already done two museums in just a few days. I love the vibe here — the neighborhoods, the river running through the city, surrounded by skyscrapers. It’s such a visually beautiful city.”
Her children, she said, enjoy being part of the adventure. “They’ve had me at home for a long time, so I’m able to go off and have this experience and have them be excited for me,” Fischer said. “They love seeing us do this kind of stuff. When Lee shot his movie, we’d travel back and forth to visit. They loved being on location. It’s exciting for them to watch us take on new projects.”
Asked what advice she’d give other working parents, Fischer offered a favorite line. “I always go back to a great quote by Oprah — ‘You can have it all, just not all at once,’” she said. “That’s true. You can have it all, but you’ve got to do it in pockets, in pieces.”
Giving Back
Even off the Ashland Avenue stage, Fischer is lending her voice to Goodman’s mission. On Oct. 6, she will headline Unleash Your Potential: Creating a Culture of Possibility, the Goodman’s annual Fall Benefit at the JW Marriott, supporting the theater’s education and engagement programs.
How to Help
As Goodman Theatre celebrates 100 years of groundbreaking storytelling, its commitment to education and engagement remains as vital as ever. Through programs that bring young people into the theater and initiatives that make performances accessible to all, the Goodman is ensuring its next century is as impactful as its first.
You can support this work by attending Ashland Avenue, running Sept. 6 – Oct. 12, 2025 in Goodman’s Albert Theatre, joining Jenna Fischer at the Goodman’s Fall Benefit on Oct. 6, or making a donation of any size to help sustain the Goodman’s mission. For tickets and more information, visit goodmantheatre.org.
Brooke McDonald is the editor in chief of Better Magazine. She regularly reports on entertainment, theme parks, and travel and her work has appeared in Insider, The Points Guy, Parents, TravelPulse, Scripps News, and more. Her favorite nonprofits to support include SeaLegacy and the Vitalogy Foundation Follow her on Instagram @brookegmcdonald, Threads @brookegmcdonald, Bluesky, and X @BrookeGMcDonald.
