Goodman Theatre’s 47th annual A Christmas Carol Opens November 24th, and Runs Through December 30, 2024

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GOODMAN’S 47TH ANNUAL 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

STARRING CHRISTOPHER DONAHUE AS SCROOGE

NOW ON STAGE IN PREVIEW PERFORMANCES, OPENS NOVEMBER 24 

***OPENING NIGHT PRE-SHOW EVENTS INCLUDES A TREE LIGHTING WITH TINY TIM (AVA ROSE DOTY) AND DIRECTOR JESSICA THEBUS, PLUS LIVE MUSIC BY BENET ACADEMY MADRIGALS AND WILLIAM BUCHHOLTZ (ALGONQUIN/METIS)***

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Goodman Theatre’s incomparable production of A Christmas Carol has been a beloved family tradition of ours for decades. This year my son, Dugan, is working the production on deck crew, so I’m even more excited than usual! It truly takes a village, on stage, behind the scenes, and in development, to make magic of this magnitude happen. I’ll be checking out the show on opening night, November 24th, so check back shortly after for my full review. We're excited to see Christopher Donahue in his first year as Ebenezer Scrooge, and every year Goodman changes up the production in creative ways, while keeping the tradition of their stunning set design. Goodman Theatre’s 47th annual A Christmas Carol, directed by Jessica Thebus, is sure to delight audience members of all ages. It's long been one of our top picks for making multigenerational memories. Experiential gifts, like theatre tickets, are an appreciated clutter buster. 

Goodman Theatre’s 47th annual A Christmas Carol, directed by Jessica Thebus, starring Christopher Donahue in his first year as Ebenezer Scrooge, along with other local favorites new to the production—Kate Fry (Narrator), Anthony Irons (Bob Cratchit), Bri Sudia (Ghost of Christmas Present) and more, are now available now. As Alternate Scrooge, Austin Tichenor steps into the miserly businessman’s shoes for 10 performances. A new Tiny Tim this year—Ava Rose Doty (last seen as Young Tommy in The Who’s TOMMY) is joined by young performers Isabel Ackerman, Viva Boresi, Annabel Finch, Xavier Irons and Henry Lombardo. The production opens this Sunday, November 24, and runs through December 30. 

Tickets ($25 - $159; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol or by phone at 312.443.3800. Visit the website for performance dates when Tichenor will appear as Scrooge. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of PNC (Major Corporate Sponsor) and Abbott Fund (Corporate Sponsor Partner).

Once again this year, Goodman Theatre welcomes special guests to enhance its opening night with pre-show festivities including madrigal singers from Benet Academy (Naperville) and artist William Buchholtz (Algonquin/Metis) on flute. Director Jessica Thebus and the young performers of the production will light the Goodman’s Christmas tree. Pre-show events begin at 6pm on Sunday, November 24th.

The "perfect Chicago holiday tradition” (Chicago Parent), Dickens’ classic is a “beautiful, timeless message of generosity’s triumph over greed” (Chicago Tribune). Businessman Ebenezer Scrooge’s sizable bank account is only matched by his disdain for the holidays. But one fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, helping him on his discovery of kindness, compassion and redemption in a tale with a “first-rate cast and marvelous staging (that) shines merry and bright" (Chicago Sun-Times). Now in its fifth decade, A Christmas Carol is “still the best Christmas story ever told” (Time Out Chicago) and a signature event of the Chicago holiday season with a star-studded history that includes stage and screen notables like Jessie Mueller, Joe Minoso, Del Close, Harry J. Lennix, Felicia P. Fields, Raul Esparza, Sally Murphy and Frank Galati.

Full Company of A Christmas Carol (in alphabetical order)

By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Tom Creamer, Directed by Jessica Thebus

Isabel Ackerman…Belinda Cratchit/School Child

Jazzlyn Luckett Aderele…Chestnut Seller/Philomena/Mrs. Dilber

Dee Dee Batteast…Frida

Hillary Bayley…Musician

Mark Bedard…Max Fezziwig/Abe

Viva Boresi…Child in Doorway/Pratt/Emily Cratchit/Ignorance

Amira Danan…Belle/Ghost of Christmas Future

William Dick…Marley/Topper/Old Joe

Tafadzwa Diener…Martha Cratchit/Fan/Catherine

Christopher Donahue…Ebenezer Scrooge

Ava Rose Doty…Tiny Tim/School Child

Arash Fakhrabadi…Poulterer/Stag Deer/Young Marley/Undertaker/Ensemble

Kate Fry…Narrator

Brian Goodwin…Musician

Jalbelly Guzmán…Dance Captain/Hat Seller/Doe Deer/Felicity/Young Woman/Ensemble

Gregory Hirte…Musician/Dick Wilkins/Young Man

Anthony Irons…Bob Cratchit/Wreath Seller

Xavier Irons…Johnston/Peter Cratchit/Turkey Child

Susaan Jamshidi…Mrs. Cratchit

Henry Lombardo…Newspaper Seller/Boy Scrooge/Gregory Cratchit

Daniel José Molina…Young Scrooge/Pie Seller

Malcolm Ruhl…Music Director/Musician

Robert Schleifer…Mr. Fezziwig

Lucky Stiff…Ghost of Christmas Past, Makeup Consultant for Ghost of Christmas Past

Bri Sudia…Charwoman/Ghost of Christmas Present

Austin Tichenor…Alternate Ebenezer Scrooge

Penelope Walker…Crumb/Mrs. Alice Fezziwig

Wai Yim…Ortle/Tree Seller/School Official

Creative Team

Associate Director….Tor Campbell

Set Designer…..Todd Rosenthal

Costume Designer ……Heidi Sue McMath

Puppet Designers & Creators….Jillian Gryzlak and Rachel Anne Healy

Lighting Designer…..Keith Parham

Associate Lighting Designer…Brian Elston

Sound Designer….. Pornchanok Kanchanabanca

Composer….Andrew Hansen

Music Director…..Malcolm Ruhl

Voice and Dialect Coach.....Sammi Grant

Choreographer….Tommy Rapley 

Fly Director….Andrea Gentry

Understudies for this production include Tatiana Bustamante, Annabel Finch, Jordan Golding, Sam Hyson, Loren Jones and Anne Sheridan Smith.

Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA. Neena Arndt is the Dramaturg. Jennifer Gregory is the Production Stage Manager and Beth Koehler and Duncan McMillan are the Stage Managers. Flying effects are provided by ZFX Inc.

ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT GOODMAN THEATRE

ASL-Interpreted Performance: Saturday, November 23 at 7:30 and Friday, December 13 at 7:30pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.

Touch Tour* and Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, December 7, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset.

Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 15 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.

Spanish-Subtitled Performance: Sunday, December 15 at 7pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.

Sensory-Friendly Performance: Saturday, December 29 at 2pm – Sensory-friendly/relaxed performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is intended for patrons who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities and their families.

Visit Goodman theatre.org/Access for more information about Goodman Theatre’s accessibility efforts.

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE

Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades.

The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.

Using the tools of theatrical practice, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand and empathize with cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.

Goodman Theatre was built on the traditional homelands of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi Nations. We recognize that many other Nations consider the area we now call Chicago as their traditional homeland—including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo and Mascouten—and remains home to many Native peoples today. While we believe that our city’s vast diversity should be reflected on the stages of its largest theater, we acknowledge that our efforts have largely overlooked the voices of our Native peoples. This omission has added to the isolation, erasure and harm that Indigenous communities have faced for hundreds of years. We have begun a more deliberate journey towards celebrating Native American stories and welcoming Indigenous communities.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.

Julie Danis is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Lorrayne Weiss is Women’s Board President and Kelli Garcia is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

41ST CAST ANNOUNCED: GOODMAN THEATRE'S ACCLAIMED ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL NOVEMBER 17th – DECEMBER 30th, 2018

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ALL-CHICAGO, 26-MEMBER CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE 41ST ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF 

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 

APPEARING NOVEMBER 17 – DECEMBER 30 AT GOODMAN THEATRE

**CHICAGO FAVORITE LARRY YANDO APPEARS AS EBENEZER SCROOGE FOR HIS 11TH YEAR AND PARIS STRICKLAND RETURNS FOR HER 2ND YEAR AS TINY TIM**

***SPECIAL EVENTS INCLUDE FIRST-EVER SPANISH TRANSLATED PERFORMANCE ON DECEMBER 28 AND SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE ON DECEMBER 29***

Here at ChiIL Mama, we're so excited to announce another stellar cast for Chicago's annual favorite, Goodman's A Christmas Carol. Kudos to all the chicago area kids who were cast out of hundreds who auditioned. We're elated that local circus arts fav, Molly Brennan is returning as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the incomparable Larry Yando is back, embodying Ebenezer Scrooge for the 11th season. This production has been a family tradition of ours for decades and it never ceases to delight. Theatre tickets make great experiential presents, so book yours, and bring the family and friends. 

More than 1.5 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol, “one of Chicago's treasured Christmas traditions” (Theatermania), now returning for the 41st year at Goodman Theatre, November 17 – December 30. Under Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper’s direction for the sixth year, the annual production “remains the greatest seasonal story of all” (Chicago Tribune) and features Chicago actor Larry Yando, who leads the 26-member cast as the irascible businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Yando is Paris Strickland, who reprises her role as Tiny Tim for the second year, along with a host of returning favorites and newcomers; a complete cast list appears below. 

The young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland children who auditioned, include Asher Alcantara, 13, as Boy Scrooge; Henry Lombardo, 9, as Ignorance and Tiny Tim Alternate; Maya Reyna, 16, as Belinda Cratchit; Nelson Simmons, 11, as Turkey Child; and Margaret Chong, 11, returning as Emily Cratchit for the second year.

A Christmas Carol appears November 17 – December 30; opening night is November 25 at 7pm. Tickets ($25 - $119; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn). A limited amount of tickets ($35) for the first-ever Spanish translated performance on December 28 at 8pm are now available with promo code SPANISH at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol. Please Note: Regular priced tickets ($40-60) are still available for this performance. Additionally, tickets for the December 29 at 2pm sensory-friendly performance, a partnership with Autism Speaks-Chicago, are also available starting at $15 with promo code SENSORY at GoodmanTheatre.org/SensoryPerformance.

“I am incredibly excited to start rehearsals for this year’s production of A Christmas Carol,” said director Henry Wishcamper. “We’ve assembled an amazing cast that includes many terrific new actors, several returning cast members, a group of incredibly talented young performers—and, of course, Larry Yando, who gives one of the greatest performances I’ve ever seen as Ebenezer Scrooge. This year’s cast promises to capture the magic, spectacle and power that has made the Goodman’s production of A Christmas Carol one of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions while breathing new energy and fresh perspectives into one of the best stories ever told.”

Dickens’ holiday classic is the iconic tale of greedy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge, whose sizable bank account is only matched by his disdain for the holidays. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, helping him rediscover the joys of life, love and friendship. Former cast members include stage and screen notables Jessie Mueller, Joe Minoso, Del Close, Harry J. Lennix, Felicia P. Fields, Raul Esparza, Sally Murphy and Frank Galati.

Bank of America is the Major Corporate Sponsor, Macy’s is a Corporate Sponsor Partner and Sensory-Friendly Performance Sponsor, Allstate Insurance Company and KPMG LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners and the Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner.



Full Company of A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Tom Creamer, Directed by Henry Wishcamper

Asher Alcantara……………………Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit

Justin Amolsch……………………Musician, French Horn

Breon Arzell……………………….Dick Wilkins

Kareem Bandealy………………...Narrator/Jacob Marley

Jasmine Bracey…………………..Ghost of Christmas Present

Molly Brennan…………………….Ghost of Christmas Past

Ali Burch…………………………...Frida

Ariana Burks………………………Martha Cratchit/Fan

Margaret Chong…………………..Emily Cratchit

Andrew Coil……………………….Musician, Fiddler

Thomas Cox………………………Bob Cratchit

Allen Gilmore……………………..Scrooge Alternate

Henry Lombardo…………………Ignorance/Tiny Tim Alternate

Lily Mojekwu……………………...Mrs. Cratchit

Andy Nagraj……………………....Ortle

Maya Reyna………………………Belinda Cratchit

Sadieh Rifai………………………Belle

Barbara Robertson……………...Old Joe/Schoolmaster

Madeline Ruhl……………………Musician, Flute

Malcolm Ruhl…………………….Music Director, Accordion

Christopher Sheard……………...Young Scrooge

Nelson Simmons…………………Turkey Child

Paris Strickland…………………...Tiny Tim

Penelope Walker…………………Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Crumb

Jonah D. Winston………………..Mr. Fezziwig

Larry Yando………………………Ebenezer Scrooge

Creative Team

Todd Rosenthal……………….....Set Designer

Heidi Sue McMath……………….Costume Designer

Andrew Hansen………………….Composer

Richard Woodbury……………….Sound Designer

Malcolm Ruhl……………………..Music Director

Keith Parham……………………..Lighting Designer

Tommy Rapley ……………..........Choreographer

Kate DeVore………………………Dialect Coach

Alden Vasquez…………………...Production Stage Manager

Jonathan Nook…………………...Stage Manager

Flying effects are provided by ZFX Inc.

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
AMERICA’S “BEST REGIONAL THEATRE” (Time magazine), Goodman Theatre is a premier not-for-profit organization distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics (celebrated revivals include Falls’ productions of Death of a Salesman and The Iceman Cometh). Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, over 160 Jeff Awards and many more accolades. In addition, the Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle;” and its annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, which celebrates its 41st anniversary this season, has created a new generation of theatergoers. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production partner with local off-Loop theaters and national and international companies by providing financial support or physical space for a variety of artistic endeavors.

Committed to three core values of Quality, Diversity and Community, the Goodman proactively makes inclusion the fabric of the institution and develops education and community engagement programs that support arts as education. This practice uses the process of artistic creation to inspire and empower youth, lifelong learners and audiences to find and/or enhance their voices, stories and abilities. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of such programming, most offered free of charge, and has vastly expanded the theater’s ability to touch the lives of Chicagoland citizens (with 85% of youth participants coming from underserved communities) since its 2016 opening.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. David W. Fox, Jr. is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Denise Stefan Ginascol is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

OPEN YOUNG PERFORMER AUDITIONS FOR GOODMAN THEATRE'S A CHRISTMAS CAROL 9/8/18

GOODMAN THEATRE HOLDS SEPTEMBER 8th 

YOUNG PERFORMER AUDITIONS FOR A CHRISTMAS CAROL

***ACCLAIMED CHICAGO ACTOR LARRY YANDO RETURNS AS EBENEZER SCROOGE FOR THE 11TH YEAR; TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AUGUST 10***

My daughter went through this audition process several years ago and the Goodman staff was so friendly and welcoming, they made it a fun process. Do come early and expect long lines for the initial sign up. Leave loads of extra time for parking and bring activities. We recommend ducking out for doughnuts during the window between sign up and your audition time. 

Calling all aspiring Tiny Tims! Goodman Theatre announces open call auditions on Saturday, September 8, from 9am – 2pm for six of the young performer roles in A Christmas Carol—now in its 41st year. Chicagoland actors from ages 5 - 17 are invited to audition for the roles of Tiny Tim, Boy Scrooge, Peter Crachit, Emily Cratchit, Belinda Cratchit and Turkey Child. Performers should come prepared to deliver a memorized poem or monologue, one minute or less in length; sing one verse of a song a cappella, preferably a holiday song or Christmas carol; and bring a photo and résumé listing previous theatrical and related experience/training, address and contact information. Prior experience is not required; the Goodman welcomes actors of all races, ethnicity, national origin, religion, mental and physical abilities, sexual/affectional orientation, gender and its expression. Day-of, in-person registration takes place from 8:30 – 10:30am at the Goodman Theatre (170 N. Dearborn; please note: this is an accessible facility) on a first-come, first-served basis; registration will end at 10:30am sharp. Visit goodmantheatre.org or call 312.443.5586 for more information. 

Parents/guardians: note commitment dates of October 23 – November 16 (rehearsals) and November 17 – December 30 (performances; opening night is November 25).

Prepare for auditions by taking a peek into the audition experience here:

Nearly 1.5 million theatergoers have attended “the crown jewel of the holiday season” (Daily Herald) since the Goodman established it as an annual offering in 1978. The 41st production of A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre, features Chicago favorite actor Larry Yando in his 11th turn as Ebenezer Scrooge. Directed by Henry Wishcamper for the sixth year, A Christmas Carol follows Scrooge as he journeys through his past, present and future to discover the true meaning of hope, redemption and friendship—with plenty of music, costumes and “Bah, Humbugs!” along the way. Tickets to A Christmas Carol ($25 - $89; subject to change) go on sale to the general public on August 10 at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Discounted Group Tickets for 15+ are available at 312.443.3820.

About Goodman Theatre

AMERICA’S “BEST REGIONAL THEATRE” (Time magazine), Goodman Theatre is a premier not-for-profit organization distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics (celebrated revivals include Falls’ productions of Death of a Salesman and The Iceman Cometh). Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, over 160 Jeff Awards and many more accolades. In addition, the Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” and its annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this season, has created a new generation of theatergoers. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production partner with local off-Loop theaters and national and international companies by providing financial support or physical space for a variety of artistic endeavors.

Committed to three core values of Quality, Diversity and Community, the Goodman proactively makes inclusion the fabric of the institution and develops education and community engagement programs that support arts as education. This practice uses the process of artistic creation to inspire and empower youth, lifelong learners and audiences to find and/or enhance their voices, stories and abilities. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of such programming, most offered free of charge, and has vastly expanded the theater’s ability to touch the lives of Chicagoland citizens (with 85% of youth participants coming from underserved communities) since its 2016 opening.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. David W. Fox, Jr.is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Cynthia K. Scholl is Women’s Board President and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

OPENING: First Female Tiny Tim and Tenth Year with Larry Yando at Goodman's Acclaimed Annual Production of A Christmas Carol

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 

THE “CROWN JEWEL OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON” (DAILY HERALD), CELEBRATES 40 YEARS AND MORE THAN 

1.5 MILLION AUDIENCE MEMBERS

November 18 – December 31

Over four decades, 1.5 million people have delighted in the spectacular storytelling, glorious music and Scrooge’s unforgettable discovery of kindness, generosity and love. Ten directors, eight Ebenezer Scrooges and 29 Tiny Tims later, 

Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol celebrates 40 years

LARRY YANDO MARKS 10TH YEAR AS EBENEZER SCROOGE LEADING THE ALL-CHICAGOLAND CAST OF 25—INCLUDING PARIS STRICKLAND AS THE FIRST FEMALE TINY TIM**

ChiIL Mama can't wait to catch Goodman's A Christmas Carol yet again this season. We wouldn't miss it for the largest turkey in the window! Many familiar favorites are cast this year, led by the indomitable Larry Yando who is always a joy to see in action. We're also fond of Molly Brennan, Ghost of Christmas Past and Ariana Burks, Martha Cratchit/Fan. This production is always excellent and a surefire bet for family friendly fun. Tickets are a great holiday gift idea and can become a fun, multigenerational tradition. We'll be out for the press opening on 11/27, so check back soon for our full review.

Now in his fifth year, Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper directs Charles Dickens’ universal tale of hope and redemption with a cast of 25 featuring Larry Yando in his 10th turn as Ebenezer Scrooge, Paris Strickland in her Goodman debut as the theater’s first female Tiny Tim and a line-up of newcomers and returning favorites; a complete cast list appears below. As part of the milestone production, the Goodman partners with Autism Speaks-Chicago to offer its first-ever sensory-friendly performance on December 30 for families with members who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities. 

***GOODMAN THEATRE’S FIRST-EVER SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE TO TAKE PLACE ON DECEMBER 30***

A Christmas Carol appears November 18 – December 31; press/opening is November 27 at 7pm. Tickets ($25 - $112; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn).Tickets (starting at $15, with promo code SENSORY) and resource materials, lobby and seating maps for the December 30 performance are now available at GoodmanTheatre.org/SensoryPerformance. Fifth Third Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor and Allstate Insurance Company and KPMG LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. Macy’s is a Sensory-friendly Performance Sponsor. Photo/video of previous productions now available here in the Press Room.

“We’re extremely proud to present the 40th annual production of A Christmas Carol. The ability to share this story each year with audiences is an enormous privilege and has unquestionably been the highlight of my life in the theater,” said Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who established the production as an annual offering in 1978—a time when only a handful of U.S. theaters produced it. “For all of us at the Goodman, A Christmas Carol is much more than a holiday entertainment or diversion. In fact, we believe that Charles Dickens’ story promotes values that are universal and true everywhere in the world—compassion, understanding, love, empathy, forgiveness and redemption. I am grateful to all of the countless artists, professionals and patrons who make it possible.”

In addition to Yando, returning cast members include: Kareem Bandealy as Narrator/Young Scrooge/Scrooge Alternate; Ariana D. Burks as Martha Cratchit; Lisa Gaye Dixon as Ghost of Christmas Present; Joe Foust as Jacob Marley; J. Salomé Martinez as Abe; Ron E. Rains as Bob Cratchit; Sadieh Rifai as Belle; Penelope Walker as Mrs. Fezziwig; and Jonah D. Winston as Mr. Fezziwig— and musicians Justin Amolsch, Andrew Coil, Greg Hirte and Malcolm Ruhl. The newcomers include Breon Arzell as Dick Wilkins; Molly Brennan as Ghost of Christmas Past; Ali Burch as Frida; Meighan Gerachis as Schoolteacher; and Michele Vazquez as Mrs. Cratchit.

The young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland children who auditioned, also include Margaret Chong, 10 (Chicago), as Emily Cratchit; Andrea Crisp, 10 (Darien), as Belinda Cratchit; Cameron Goode, 15 (Country Club Hills), as Boy Scrooge; Kei, 9 (Chicago), as Turkey Boy; and Aaron Stone, 14 (Round Beach Lake), returning as Peter Cratchit. 

Dickens’ holiday classic is the iconic tale of greedy businessman Ebenezer Scrooge, whose sizable bank account is only matched by his disdain for the holidays. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, helping him rediscover the joys of life, love and friendship.

Full Company of A Christmas Carol By Charles Dickens, Adapted by Tom Creamer, Directed by Henry Wishcamper

Justin Amolsch……………………………………………..Musician, French Horn
Breon Arzell…………………………………………………Dick Wilkins
Kareem Bandealy…………………………………………..Narrator/Young Scrooge/Scrooge Alternate
Molly Brennan………………………………………………Ghost of Christmas Past
Ali Burch……………………………………………………..Frida
Ariana Burks………………………………………………...Martha Cratchit/Fan
Margaret Chong………………………………………….....Emily Cratchit
Andrew Coil………………………………………………….Musician, Fiddler
Andrea Crisp………………………………………………...Belinda Cratchit
Lisa Gaye Dixon…………………………………………….Ghost of Christmas Present
Joe Foust…………………………………………………….Jacob Marley/Young Marley/Old Joe
Meighan Gerachis………………………………………......Schoolteacher/Charwoman
Cameron Goode……………………………………………..Boy Scrooge/Percy
Greg Hirte…………………………………………………….Musician, Fiddler
J. Salomé Martinez……………………………………….....Abe/Mr. Ortle
Ron E. Rains…………………………………………………Bob Cratchit
Kei……………………………………………………………..Turkey Boy
Sadieh Rifai…………………………………………………..Belle
Malcolm Ruhl………………………………………………...Music Director, Accordion
Aaron Stone………………………………………………….Peter Cratchit
Paris Strickland……………………………………………...Tiny Tim
Michele Vazquez …………………………………………....Mrs. Cratchit
Penelope Walker………………………………………….....Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Crumb
Jonah D. Winston…………………………………………....Mr. Fezziwig
Larry Yando…………………………………………………..Ebenezer Scrooge

Creative Team

Todd Rosenthal……………………………………………..Set Designer
Heidi Sue McMath……………………………………….....Costume Designer
Andrew Hansen……………………………………………..Composer
Richard Woodbury………………………………………….Sound Designer
Malcolm Ruhl………………………………………………..Music Director
Keith Parham………………………………………………..Lighting Designer
Tommy Rapley ……………………………………………..Choreographer
Eva Breneman………………………………………………Dialect Coach
Alden Vasquez………………………………………………Production Stage Manager
Jonathan Nook……………………………………………...Stage Manager
Flying effects are provided by ZFX Inc. 

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
AMERICA’S “BEST REGIONAL THEATRE” (Time magazine), Goodman Theatre is a premier not-for-profit organization distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and civic engagement. Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres in the past three decades), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics (celebrated revivals include Falls’ productions of Death of a Salesman and The Iceman Cometh ). Goodman Theatre artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards, over 160 Jeff Awards and many more accolades. In addition, the Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle” and its annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this season, has created a new generation of theatergoers. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production partner with local off-Loop theaters and national and international companies by providing financial support or physical space for a variety of artistic endeavors.

Committed to three core values of Quality, Diversity and Community, the Goodman proactively makes inclusion the fabric of the institution and develops education and community engagement programs that support arts as education. This practice uses the process of artistic creation to inspire and empower youth, lifelong learners and audiences to find and/or enhance their voices, stories and abilities. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of such programming, most offered free of charge, and has vastly expanded the theater’s ability to touch the lives of Chicagoland citizens (with 85% of youth participants coming from underserved communities) since its 2016 opening.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.


Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. David W. Fox, Jr. is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Cynthia K. Scholl is Women’s Board President and Justin A. Kulovsek is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.

Follow @GoodmanTheatre  

#AChristmasCarolCHI for behind-the-scenes info and more!

League of Chicago Theatres’ annual Holiday Guide highlights seasonal productions

CHICAGO THEATERS GET FESTIVE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

With over 60 live theatre shows currently playing, Chicago's theatre scene is second to none. Check back with ChiIL Live Shows and ChiIL Mama like we vote in Chi, IL... early and often. We'll be featuring openings, closings, news, and original reviews and coverage. Still, it's not humanly possible to make it around to every show currently playing, so check in with the fabulous League of Chicago Theatres for a comprehensive guide.

The Chicago theater community will present a wide variety of festive plays and musicals, as well as dance and concert offerings this Holiday season.  In support, the League of Chicago Theatres will once again create a comprehensive Holiday Theater Guide that will be available at hotels, theaters, events, and destinations across the Chicago area.  An updated list of holiday shows with additional details about each production will be available throughout the season at www.chicagoplays.com. They even have a downloadable guide. 

The following is a selection of Holiday-themed work playing in Chicago this season.

*We've marked our favorites below. Click the links and scroll down for some of our original coverage, reviews, interviews & videos from ChiIL Live Shows (all) & ChiIL Mama (family friendly productions).

Classic Chicago favorites include:

*The Goodman Theatre brings back the beloved Chicago tradition A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Charles Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption.
through December 28, 2014.

Capra’s holiday staple gets the 1940’s radio treatment with IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: LIVE IN CHICAGO! presented by American Blues Theater at the Greenhouse Theater Center, through December 28, 2014.

*The House Theatre presents its fantastical, fast-paced, and family-friendly version of THE NUTCRACKER at the Chopin Theatre, weaving dance, text, and songs to tell a story of magic and mystery, through December 28, 2014.

*The Joffrey Ballet’s grand production of THE NUTCRACKER returns to the Auditorium Theatre, through 28, 2014.

Holiday-themed musicals include:

*Broadway in Chicago premieres DEE SNIDER’S ROCK & ROLL CHRISTMAS TALE. Dee Snider, infamous lead singer of Twisted Sister, has created and stars in a VERY funny, VERY rocking and (sshhh!) VERY sweet new holiday musical, guaranteed to rock your holiday at the Broadway Playhouse, through January 4, 2015.

*The Mercury Theater remounts The classic Chicago musical,THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER. It sets sail again for 2014 featuring a powerful, moving story, an exquisite score of original music and traditional holiday favorites, and a company of 25 actors and musicians, through December 28, 2014.

Holiday comedies include:

The Second City and Goodman present TWIST YOUR DICKENS. Scrooge, Tiny Tim, three ridiculous ghosts and a cast of The Second City’s funniest members take the Goodman by storm, as wicked parody, daring improve and a host of guest celebs run rampant, through December 28, 2014.

*Theater Wit features David Sedaris’ classic comedy SANTALAND DIARIES, through December 28, 2014.

Nuns4Fun’s interactive bingo show. CHRISTMAS BINGO: IT’S A HO-HO-HOLY NIGHT runs at the Royal George Theatre Center, through January 4, 2015.

Other notable works include:

*Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents A Q BROTHERS’ CHRISTMAS CAROL, a hip-hop holiday treat set to a bangin’ beat, through December 31, 2014.

About Face Theatre presents BIG RED AND THE BOYS, a non-traditional, boozy night of songs, stories and spirits, through December 20, 2014.

Chicago a cappella presents HOLIDAYS A CAPPELLA. Enjoy this perfect mix of familiar holiday tunes, Renaissance Carols, Chanukah songs, Christmas spirituals and contemporary classics, through December 20, 2014.

*Profiles Theatre remounts their annual hit, HELLCAB, which portrays the story of a cab driver in for the longest night of his life as he transports a bizarre and mysterious array of customers through the gritty streets of Chicago on Christmas Eve, through January 11, 2015.

Hot Tix

Hot Tix offers half-price tickets to more than 200 Chicago area theaters, full price tickets to all Ticketmaster events including concerts and sports, and Play Money gift certificates. Hot Tix tickets are always half-price and may be purchased up to a week in advance of the performance.  Hot Tix ticket centers are located in the Loop at 72 E. Randolph Street, the Chicago Tourism Center and on North Michigan Ave. at the Waterworks Visitors Center located at 163 E. Pearson and Block Thirty Seven, located at 108 N. State St.  Hot Tix are available for purchase online at HotTix.org.  

About Chicago theater

Chicago theater is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theaters throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theaters to the most renowned resident theaters in the country, including 5 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theaters serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. In 2009-10 alone Chicago theater companies produced more than 130 world premiere productions and adaptations. Each year Chicago theaters send new work to resident theaters across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. 

The League of Chicago Theatres’ Mission Statement

The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry locally, nationally and internationally. The League of Chicago Theatres Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the art of theater in the Chicago area through audience development and support services for theaters and theater professionals.

For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago website, www.chicagoplays.com.  Discounted tickets are available at www.hottix.org.