Theatre News Wire

Goodman Theatre makes a slam dunk! Chicago Bulls superstar Scottie Pippen and 7-year-old La'Ren Kimble, a young beneficiary of Make-A-Wish Illinois, will together appear in "walk-on roles" in A Christmas Carol on Friday, December 14 at 8pm. This event marks the sixth year that the Goodman and Make-A-Wish Illinois have joined forces to brighten the life of child battling a life-threatening medical condition. Pippen and Kimble don costumes tailored especially for them and make their "Goodman Theatre debut" in select scenes of the 35th anniversary production of Chicago's favorite holiday tradition directed by Steve Scott. Tickets ($69 - $84; subject to change) to Scottie Pippen/Make-A-Wish Night on December 14 at 8pm are available by calling the Box Office 312.443.3800 or visiting GoodmanTheatre.org. 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 and Chapman and Cutler is an Event Sponsor of Community Day (December 29).

"I'm excited to step on a different stage of sorts, and look forward to being part of what has been a Chicago holiday tradition for so many years," said Scottie Pippen, Special Advisor to the President and C.O.O. of the Chicago Bulls. "But what's most important for me is being able to work alongside my co-star, La'Ren, and Make-A-Wish Illinois. I hear La'Ren is an aspiring actress, and I'll do my best to make her and the cast of A Christmas Carol proud."

Seven-year-old La'Ren Kimble (Rockford), diagnosed with a Wilm's Tumor in 2007, loves being in the limelight and dreams about acting-whether on stage or film someday. "For a wish child, the opportunity to appear onstage in A Christmas Carol is a wonderful moment that allows them to experience the joy of the holiday season with the entire community," said Stephanie Springs, Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Illinois. "Together with the Goodman and Chicago Bulls, we are creating an amazing experience that will help brighten her spirits."

Scottie Pippen, Special Advisor to the President and C.O.O., joined the Chicago Bulls organization's front office on July 15, 2010. A 17-year NBA veteran, Pippen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on August 13, 2010. He was a member of six NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls (1991-93, 1996-98), was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History and is one of four players to have his jersey retired by the Chicago Bulls. Pippen was a seven-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1992-97) and was NBA All-Star MVP in 1994. He was a three-time All-NBA first team honoree and was voted to the NBA All-Defensive first team eight times (1992-99). Pippen won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team" and returned to help lead the USA to gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Born in Hamburg, Ark., Pippen graduated from the University of Central Arkansas.