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For 30 years, Goodman Theatre has proudly made A Christmas Carol a Chicago holiday institution-host of seven Scrooges, 27 Tiny Tims, over 17,000 "Bah Humbug!"s, and featured such notables as Del Close, Harry J. Lennix, Felicia P. Fields, Raul Esparza, Sally Murphy and Frank Galati. Returning for his second season as director, William Brown taps his longtime friend, collaborator and sometimes cast mate Larry Yando to portray the irascible Ebenezer Scrooge.
"Twenty-nine years ago, it was impossible to imagine what an incredible impact A Christmas Carol could have on Chicago," said Executive Director Roche Schulfer, who was instrumental in producing the show at the Goodman at a time when only a handful of theaters in the country had mounted the production. "It has become the entry point to theater for legions of young people, as well as an annual tradition for thousands of families. Our creative team takes care to make the production a new experience each year, through different interpretations and ideas. We are very proud to consistently deliver the premier holiday theatrical offering in our city."
Throughout its history at the Goodman, the production has been heralded "a joyous present for the entire family" (Chicago Sun-Times), "year after year…the crown jewel of the holiday season" (Daily Herald), "the best show to get at the meaning of Christmas" (Daily Southtown) and "ideal family fare, both heartwarming and spectacular in its familiar tale" (Chicago Tribune). Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is the tale of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, oblivious to holiday cheer and to the sufferings of the poor in Victorian London, whose attitude toward Christmas is the dour, "Bah, Humbug!" On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who offer him the opportunity to sympathize with his fellow man. Famous characters include Scrooge's kind-hearted clerk Bob Cratchit and his family, including son Tiny Tim; the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future; the merry-making Fezziwig couple; and the Ghost of Jacob Marley.
Seven directors have helmed Dickens' novella over the past 30 years, including Tony Mockus (1978-1983), Gregory Mosher (1984), Sandra Grand (1985 and 1986), Michael Maggio (1987 and 1988), Steve Scott (1989-1992), Chuck Smith (1993-1995), Henry Godinez (1996-2001), Kate Buckley (2002-2005) and William Brown (2006 and 2007)-the current director who first appeared in A Christmas Carol in the late 1980s as Scrooge's infectiously optimistic nephew Fred; and from 2002-2005, he donned the whiskers and glowering countenance of Scrooge in Buckley's production. Brown's directing credits include Northlight Theatre, Writers' Theatre, TimeLine, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, American Players Theatre and Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare. He is Associate Artistic Director of Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.
Larry Yando makes his Goodman debut as the production's seventh Ebenezer Scrooge, a role previously played by veteran Chicago actors William J. Norris (1978-1983 and 1985-1990), Frank Galati (1984), Tom Mula (1991-1997), Rick Snyder (1998-2001), Brown (2002-2005) and Jonathan Weir (2006). Yando has worked with Brown on many productions, including Nixon's Nixon at Writers' Theatre and The Importance of Being Earnest at Court Theatre. Most recently he played the title role in Cymbeline at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and for the past three years he appeared as Scar in the national touring production of The Lion King.
Several actors new to A Christmas Carol in the 30th anniversary production include Ron Rains (Bob Cratchit), Ann Joseph (Miss Crumb), Brendan Marshall-Rashid (Ghost of Christmas Future), Bret Tuomi (Chestnut seller), Adam Poss (Dick Wilkins), Matthew Gold (Turkey Boy) and Eric Galvan (Ignorance).
Returning cast members include William J. Norris (who has been part of A Christmas Carol since the first production in 1978, for which he played Scrooge), Karen Janes Woditsch (Mrs. Cratchit), Martin Yurek (Jacob Marley), Kevin Theis (Undertaker), Katie Jeep (Belle), Steve Hinger (Fred), Penelope Walker (Abby), Bradley Mott (Mr. Fezziwig and Ghost of Christmas Present), Sharon Sachs (Mrs. Fezziwig) and Steve Haggard (Ghost of Christmas Past).
The Cratchit children include three young actors returning this season: Ryan Cowhey (Tiny Tim), Lucy Godinez (Belinda) and Laney Kraus-Taddeo (Emily) - and two new additions: Laura Coover (Martha), and Robert Gerdisch (Peter). Four live musicians-Justin Amolsch, Gregory Hirte, Bethany Jorgensen and Malcolm Ruhl-round out the cast.
Tickets to A Christmas Carol are $20 to $70 and may be purchased online at GoodmanTheatre.org, at the Goodman Theatre Box Office, 170 North Dearborn, or charged by phone at 312-443-3800.