Theatre News Wire

Goodman Theatre marks its 35th anniversary of A Christmas Carol, a holiday tradition enjoyed by more than 1 million Chicagoans and dubbed "a joyous present for the entire family" (Chicago Sun-Times). Goodman Theatre Associate Producer Steve Scott directs the anniversary production—starring "one of Chicago's best actors, bar none" (NewCity), Larry Yando in his fifth turn as Ebenezer Scrooge, a performance hailed as "stellar" (Chicago Tribune) and "commanding" (Time Out Chicago Kids).

In celebration of the play's 35th production at the Goodman, special $35 tickets will be available for the performances on Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28. BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, and Aon and KPMG LLP are Corporate Sponsor Partners. FTD Group, Inc. is the Lead Corporate Sponsor of Community Day (December 29).

"A Christmas Carol has become my favorite holiday event over the years, and I am thrilled to direct this 35th anniversary production," said director and Goodman Associate Producer Steve Scott. "We've assembled a cast of some of Chicago's best actors to bring this story to life, including the redoubtable Larry Yando as Scrooge. I hope that we can make this year's edition even scarier, funnier and more emotionally powerful than it's been in the past."

The young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland children who auditioned, include Matthew George Abraham, 7 (Skokie), as Tiny Tim Cratchit; Ariana D. Burks, 13 (Chicago), as Belinda Cratchit; Francesca Mereu, 7 (Evanston), as Emily Cratchit; Michael Saguto, 14 (Glen Ellyn), as Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit; and Oscar Vasquez, 10 (Chicago), returning as Turkey Boy.

All adult performers live in Chicago, unless otherwise noted. Newcomers to the Goodman's production include Melanie Brezill (Hazel Crest) as Martha Cratchit; Jordan Brown as Young Scrooge; Dana Cruz as Abby; Joe Foust as Jacob Marley; Rashaad Hall as Dick Wilkins; Anish Jethmalani (Forest Park) as Mr. Ortle; Patricia Lavery as Miss Crumb; Michael Lindner (Evanston) as Mr. Fezziwig; Tania Richard (Evanston) as Mrs. Cratchit; Scott Stangland as the Schoolmaster; and Demetrios Troy (Mt. Prospect) as Fred.

Cast members returning to the production include: Nora Fiffer (Evanston) as Belle; Ted Hoerl as the Undertaker; Ora Jones as Mrs. Fezziwig; Elizabeth Ledo as Ghost of Christmas Past; Ron Rains as Bob Cratchit and Penelope Walker as Ghost of Christmas Present. The musicians include Justin Amolsch, Greg Hirte, Malcolm Ruhl (Evanston) and Claire Wellin. Jeff Cummings is the Scrooge alternate.

Photos and bio information for the company and design team, including Christine Adaire (Dialect Coach), Robert Christen (Lighting Designer), Andrew Hansen (Composer), Susan Hart (Choreographer), Heidi Sue McMath (Costume Designer), Todd Rosenthal (Set Designer), Malcolm Ruhl (Music Director) and Richard Woodbury (Sound Designer) and are available in the Goodman Theatre Press Room. Flying effects are provided by ZFX Inc. Henry Wishcamper is the assistant director. Alden Vasquez is the production stage manager and Jamie Wolfe is the stage manager.

For 35 years, A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre, "the crown jewel of the holiday season" (Daily Herald), has hosted nine directors, eight Scrooges, 31 Tiny Tims and nearly 20,000 "Bah, Humbug!"s. Based on Charles Dickens' classic 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol is the unforgettable tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy business man with no family and a disdain for holiday cheer and the poor in Victorian London. One Christmas, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on an incredible journey that offers him a new perspective on everything from his dusty past to his dark future, and presents him with an opportunity to sympathize with his fellow man and rediscover life and love.

In conjunction with the 35th anniversary of the production, the Goodman has launched the A Christmas Carol Endowment to ensure the legacy of A Christmas Carol for generations to come. Donations of all sizes (starting at $35) will provide permanent resources to allow others to delight in the magic of A Christmas Carol year after year. Donors will also have access to special opportunities around A Christmas Carol, including a sneak peek at rehearsal and an exclusive tea party with the cast. More than $100,000 has already been raised for the Endowment since its kick-off in late July, and the campaign will continue throughout the run of the production. For more information, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Christmas.