A Christmas Carol begins November 15.
For nearly five decades, A Christmas Carol has been a Chicago tradition, one that generations have shared. But what keeps it vital, and what keeps us coming back, is not just nostalgia. It’s the story’s unshakable belief in transformation.
At its heart, this timeless tale asks a question as urgent now as it was in Charles Dickens’ day: What does it take to open a closed heart? In Scrooge’s journey from isolation to empathy, we see our own capacity for change, generosity and connection.
Each new version of this production brings that message into conversation with the present moment. It’s why we continue to reimagine this classic with fresh eyes, new artists and renewed purpose. Behind every familiar line and carol lies a deeper truth: that redemption is not only possible, but communal.
We chose this play because it is more than a tradition; it is an act of renewal. Every December, it reminds us why we tell stories in the first place—to awaken compassion, celebrate humanity and imagine a better world together.
This is why it belongs in our Centennial Season.
And why we’re so proud to share it with you.
