Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol, “the greatest seasonal story of all” (Chicago Tribune), is back on stage for its 44th annual production in the heart of the Chicago Loop following a year of suspended live performances. This year, the theater extends the magic of the holiday classic to those unable to attend in-person, and into homes across Chicagoland, in two unique partnerships.
Young patients hospitalized during the Christmas season and their families at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago will be treated to unlimited viewing of a recent video capture of the 2021 production of A Christmas Carol—featuring Larry Yando as Scrooge leading a cast of 31. The video of Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol streams from the hospital’s closed circuit TV to 300 inpatients. The special viewing begins December 20 and continues through Christmas Day, December 25. “During the holiday season, our Children’s Services staff work tirelessly to create joyful moments for patients and families that allow them to practice old traditions and welcome new ones. One of the ways we will do that this year is through a partnership with Goodman Theatre,” said Rebecca Meyers, Manager of Children’s Services at Lurie Children’s Hospital. “This will be incredibly meaningful to our patients and families and allow them to take a small break from their medical care to watch a treasured classic.
In addition, Chicago’s WBEZ 91.5 and Vocalo will air A Christmas Carol—An Audio Play on Christmas Eve (December 24 at 3pm) and Christmas Day (December 25 at 10am) so audiences can once again experience the Goodman’s iconic tradition at home. Co-adapted and directed by Jessica Thebus (who directs this year’s live production) and starring Larry Yando as Ebenezer Scrooge, the Goodman recreated its annual production of Charles Dickens’ classic especially for audio consumption—voiced by an all-Chicago cast of 19 and featuring the show’s signature soundscape. Last year, this audio streaming version drew more than 150,000 listeners, from more than 50 countries, who experienced the production online as well as on-air, in an unprecedented partnership with Chicago Public Radio WBEZ and Vocalo. “It’s such an honor for WBEZ to share the audio production of A Christmas Carol again this year. Listeners will create their own scenes, places and faces using their imaginations as they are transported into the story,” said Israel Smith, WBEZ’s Managing Director of Programming.
Now in its fifth decade, nearly two million people have experienced Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol—hailed as “the crown jewel of the holiday season” (Daily Herald)—Charles Dickens’ “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 that “tugs at the heartstrings” (Theatermania). A Christmas Carol continues performances at Goodman Theatre through December 31. Tickets ($25 - $141; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol or by phone at 312.443.3800. Visit the website for performance dates/times.
About the Partnering Organizations
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. It is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Last year, the hospital served more than 220,000 children from 48 states and 49 countries.
WBEZ, Chicago’s NPR news station, serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information. WBEZ’s award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. Vocalo, Chicago’s urban alternative music station on 91.1 FM and vocalo.org, connects younger listeners to each other and to the creatives and changemakers who shape Chicago through music, art and culture. In addition to its local and national news programming, WBEZ Chicago is home to a growing portfolio of popular podcasts, including the “Making” series of Making Beyoncé, Making Obama and Making Oprah; an investigative podcast series, Motive; 16 Shots: A podcast about the fatal police shooting of Laquan McDonald; Nerdette; and Curious City. WBEZ Chicago has a legacy of innovation as the birthplace of nationally acclaimed programs such as This American Life, and Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me! and the ground-breaking podcast, Serial.
About A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Tom Creamer
Directed by Jessica Thebus
Musician ….Justin Amolsch
Ghost of Jacob Marley/Young Marley….Kareem Bandealy
Frida….Dee Dee Batteast
Ensemble/Undertaker’s Assistant……Terry Bell
Turkey Child/Cratchit Child/Ignorance…..Grier Burke
Fan/Martha Cratchit/Catherine…..Ariana Burks
Bob Cratchit/Wreath Seller….Thomas J. Cox
Belle/Philomena/Young Woman…..Amira Danan
Ortle/Old Joe/Tree Seller….William Dick
Tiny Tim…..Gayatri Gadhvi
Ebenezer Scrooge Alternate……..Allen Gilmore
Mrs. Maud Fezziwig/Mrs. Dilber/Chestnut Seller…….Cindy Gold
Ensemble….Molly Hernández
Poulterer/Dick Wilkins/Musician….Gregory Hirte
Mrs. Cratchit….Susaan Jamshidi
Emily Cratchit Alternate/Child in Doorway Alternate…..Milla Liss
Abe/Hat Seller/Young Man….Andy Nagraj
Belinda Cratchit/Want…...Rika Nishikawa
Musician….Maddi Ruhl
Musician….Malcolm Ruhl
Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future….Christopher Sheard
Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit….Nelson H. Simmons
Ghost of Christmas Past….Lucky Stiff
Emily Cratchit/Child in Doorway …..Paris Strickland
Ghost of Christmas Present/Charwoman….Bethany Thomas
Crumb/Mrs. Alice Fezziwig….Penelope Walker
Narrator….Andrew White
Ebenezer Scrooge…...Larry Yando
Schoolmaster/Undertaker….Wai Yim
Understudy Bob Cratchit/Undertaker/Old Joe…..Darren Hill
Understudy Crumb/Ortle/Narrator…..Gage Wallace
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. Alden J. Vasquez is the Production Stage Manager and Kimberly Ann McCann 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 11, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset.
*Touch Tours for the 2021/2022 Season will not have access to the stage due to current health and safety protocols, but will feature alternate pre-show sensory introductions.
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 19 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
Spanish-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 19 at 6:30pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.
Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed Performance: Sunday, December 26 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 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. 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 leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.