Casting announced for A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre
Rehearsals for the 45th annual production of A Christmas Carol at the Goodman Theatre 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. Visit the website for performance dates when Tichenor will appear as Scrooge.
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 Jose 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 Quinones
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