Goodman Theatre

For Immediate Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Chicago, IL - October 26, 2007) 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. During the celebratory season, the one millionth ticket will be purchased, and its lucky bearer will receive a special surprise at the Box Office upon ticket pick-up. 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. The anniversary season also includes a luncheon event for the entire family on Sunday, December 2 at 11:30am in the Narcissus Room at Macy's on State Street. In addition, the new Luxury Ticket Package, which includes access to the best seats in the house and free parking, among other exclusive benefits, is now on sale. A Christmas Carol runs November 16 - December 29 in the Albert Theatre; press opening night is November 25. Dates, times and ticket prices for the production, Family Benefit and Luxury Ticket Package appear at the end of this release. Harris Private Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor and Aon Corporation and KPMG LLP are Corporate Sponsor Partners.

"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.

A Christmas Carol unites a long-time creative team, including Resident Lighting Designer Robert Christen - who has designed the lights for all 30 productions in the Goodman's history. The theater has used the adaptation of A Christmas Carol by former dramaturg Tom Creamer since 1989; Costume Shop Manager Heidi Sue McMath has designed the costumes for since 2001; new this season, Cecil Averett, whose work was last heard at the Goodman in Passion Play: a cycle in three parts by Sarah Ruhl, designs sound for the production.

Special Events

StoryQuilts - Family Time at the Goodman
November 10 from 9-10:30am
$5 for adults; free for children

The StoryQuilts Saturday workshop combines storytelling and quilting to help children appreciate tales from master storytellers and create a story quilt that will be displayed in the theater's lobby.

A Christmas Carol Family Benefit December 2
11:30 am - Luncheon in the Narcissus Room at Macy's on State Street
2 pm - Matinee performance of A Christmas Carol
Tickets start at $150

Celebrate 30 years of Goodman history at Macy's with a reception and lunch featuring characters from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, followed by a 2 pm matinee performance. Call 312.443.3811, ext. 584 for tickets and additional information.

Tickets

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. See calendar below for prices on specific dates.

The Luxury Ticket Package includes one-time access to the exclusive Patron's Lounge, complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, VIP coat check (all for up to seven people); plus free parking (one parking pass per package) and one A Christmas Carol 30th anniversary commemorative ornament. The price of the Luxury Ticket Package is the cost of main floor seats plus a $250 tax-deductible donation to the Goodman.

MezzTix are half-price mezzanine tickets available at 6 pm for evening shows and 12 noon for matinees at the box office, and at 10 am online at GoodmanTheatre.org on the day of performance, subject to availability. Groups of 15 or more, call 312.443.3820.

About Goodman Theatre

Named the country's Best Regional Theatre by Time magazine (2003), Goodman Theatre is a leader in the American theater, internationally recognized for its artists, productions and educational programs since its founding in 1925. Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer's forward-thinking leadership has earned the Goodman unparalleled artistic distinction, garnered hundreds of awards-including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992)-and moved dozens of plays from Chicago to stages in New York and abroad. Central to its commitment to the reinvestigation of classics and development of new plays and artists is the Goodman's Artistic Collective, including Frank Galati, Henry Godinez, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor and Mary Zimmerman. The largest not-for-profit theater in Chicago, the Goodman moved in 2000 into a brand new state-of-the-art complex which houses two principal theaters: the 856-seat Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre and the 400-seat flexible Owen Bruner Goodman Theatre. Board Chairman is Shawn M. Donnelley and Alice Young Sabl is chair of the Women's Board. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Kraft Foods is the Principal Sponsor of the Goodman's free Student Subscription Series.

Upcoming productions in the 2007/2008 season include: Shining City by Conor McPherson, directed by Robert Falls (January 12 - February 17, 2008); The Horton Foote Festival (including The Trip to Bountiful, Talking Pictures, Blind Date and The Actor - events begin January 2008); Ain't Misbehavin': The Fats Waller Musical Show, based on an idea by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby, Jr., music by Fats Waller, directed by Chuck Smith (April 5 - May 4, 2008); The Ballad of Emmett Till by Ifa Bayeza (April 26 - June 1, 2008); The Boys are Coming Home, music and lyrics by Leslie Arden, book by Rebecca Gilman, directed by David Petrarca (June 21 - July 27, 2008). For more information call Goodman Theatre's Publicity Office: 312.443.5151.

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