Rehearsals for the 45th annual production of A Christmas Carol, “the greatest seasonal story of all” (Chicago Tribune), are underway. Acclaimed Chicago artist Jessica Thebus returns for her third season directing a cast that stars Larry Yando in his 15th year as Ebenezer Scrooge—with Austin Tichenor stepping into the miserly businessman’s shoes for nine performances—leading a cast of 32 newcomers and returning favorites, including young performers Vikram Konkimalla (Tiny Tim) and Presley Rose Jones (Tiny Tim Alternate, appearing in select performances/Emily Cratchit); a complete cast list appears below. A Christmas Carol appears November 19 – December 31 (opening night is Monday, November 28 at 7pm). Tickets ($25 - $144; 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.
Additionally, Goodman announces the return of its annual Tree Lighting at 6:30pm on the first day of performances, (Saturday, November 19), featuring cast members leading a countdown to light the tree.
“It’s a thrill to direct the 45th annual production of this beloved Chicago tradition—a story that feels fresh every year, thanks to the unique, invigorating energy of all the voices telling it,” said Director Jessica Thebus. “We are so excited to welcome both actors who have previously been with the production and our newcomers joining us for the first time. Their varied perspectives and observations help to create the magic that keeps audiences coming back year after year.”
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
Musician/Marley Dupe ….Justin Amolsch
Ghost of Jacob Marley/Young Marley/Topper….Kareem Bandealy
Frida/Fezziwig Guest….Dee Dee Batteast
Abe/Hat Seller/Young Man/Ship Cart/Fezziwig Guest….Jayson Brooks
Fan/Martha Cratchit/Catherine/Fezziwig Guest…..Ariana Burks
Bob Cratchit/Wreath Seller/Fezziwig Guest….Thomas J. Cox
Belle/Philomena/Young Woman…..Amira Danan
Ortle/Old Joe/Tree Seller/Cottage Cart/Fezziwig Guest….William Dick
Mrs. Maud Fezziwig/Mrs. Dilber/Chestnut Seller…….Cindy Gold
Cratchit Child/Newspaper Child/Johnston/Turkey Child/Ignorance/Fezziwig Guest…. Amir Henderson
Poulterer/Dick Wilkins/Musician/Marley Dupe….Gregory Hirte
Mrs. Cratchit/Fezziwig Guest….Susaan Jamshidi
Emily Cratchit/Child in Doorway/Pratt/Fezziwig Guest …..Presley Rose Jones
Tiny Tim/Child/Fezziwig Guest…..Vikram Konkimalla
Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future….Daniel José Molina
Belinda Cratchit/Want/Fezziwig Guest/Emily Cratchit Alternate/Child in Doorway Alternate…...Rika Nishikawa
Ensemble/Undertaker’s Assistant/Poulterer with Turkey Child/Fezziwig Guest…Alexander Quiñones
Musician….Delin Ruhl
Musician….Malcolm Ruhl
Ensemble/Lighthouse Cart/Silent Night Singer/Fezziwig Guest…. .. Karla Serrato
Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit/Fezziwig Guest....Jalen Smith
Ghost of Christmas Past….Lucky Stiff
Ghost of Christmas Present/Charwoman/Fezziwig Guest….Bethany Thomas
Ebenezer Scrooge Alternate……..Austin Tichenor
Crumb/Mrs. Alice Fezziwig….Penelope Walker
Narrator….Andrew White
Ebenezer Scrooge…...Larry Yando
School Master/Undertaker/Fezziwig Guest….Wai Yim
Understudy Crumb…Molly Bunder
Understudy Musician…Sam Hyson
Understudy Bob Cratchit/Ortle/Narrator…Loren Jones
Understudy Undertaker/Old Joe…Tim Kidwell
Creative Team
Set Designer…..Todd Rosenthal
Costume Designer ……Heidi Sue McMath
Lighting Designer…..Keith Parham
Sound Designer…..Richard Woodbury
Composer….Andrew Hansen
Music Director…..Malcolm Ruhl
Choreographer….Tommy Rapley
Casting is by Lauren Port, CSA and Rachael Jimenez, CSA. Neena Arndt is the Dramaturg. Kimberly Ann McCann is the Production Stage Manager and Jennifer Gregory is the Stage Manager. Flying effects are provided by ZFX Inc.
ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT GOODMAN THEATRE
Touch Tour* and Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, December 10, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset.
*Touch Tours for the 2022/2023 Season will not have access to the stage due to current health and safety protocols, but will feature alternate pre-show sensory introductions.
Sensory-Friendly Performance: Wednesday, December 14 at 7pm – 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.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Friday, December 16 at 7:30pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 18 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
Spanish-Subtitled Performance: Sunday, December 18 at 7pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.
Visit www.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. 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 earner 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 the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the 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 free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Goodman Theatre’s Action Plan for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access (IDEAA) was born out of the belief that progress means action, which includes building on the decades-long commitment to using art, assets and resources to contribute to a more just, equitable and anti-racist society.
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.
Today, Goodman Theatre is led by Artistic Director Susan Booth and Executive Director Roche Schulfer. Theater leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Craig McCaw is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.