Theatre News Wire

Magic is in the making as rehearsals begin for Goodman Theatre's A Christmas Carol, "a joyous present for the entire family" (Chicago Sun-Times) and "ideal family fare, both heartwarming and spectacular in its familiar tale" (Chicago Tribune). Goodman Theatre Associate Producer Steve Scott, who last directed A Christmas Carol in 1992, returns to helm the 34th annual production featuring 13 new cast members, brand new special effects, additional music and choreography. Acclaimed Chicago actor Larry Yando revives his "stellar!" (Chicago Tribune) performance of Ebenezer Scrooge, his fourth turn since 2007. A Christmas Carol runs November 18 - December 31, 2011 in the Goodman's Albert Theatre. Tickets are $25 - $92 and can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn).

"Dickens' tale is more than just one of the greatest ghost stories of our cultural canon; it's a powerful tale of redemption, family and forgiveness that continues to resonate year after year," said director Steve Scott, whose nearly 200 credits in Chicago theater include Rabbit Hole, Dinner With Friends and Wit at the Goodman. "With this incredible cast, I hope to make this year's production happier, scarier, funnier and more celebratory than ever."

The young performers in A Christmas Carol, cast from hundreds of Chicagoland children who auditioned, include: nineyear- old Roni Akurati (Lake Zurich) as Tiny Tim Cratchit; 13-year-old Shanequa Beal (Blue Island) as Belinda Cratchit; 13-year-old Ryan Byrne (Western Springs) as Peter Cratchit; nine-year-old Emma Gordon (Clarendon Hills) as Emily Cratchit; and nine-year-old Oscar Vasquez (Chicago) as Turkey Boy.

Newcomers to the Goodman's production include: Nora Fiffer (Evanston) as Belle; Emjoy Gavino as Martha Cratchit; Ted Hoerl as the Undertaker; Nathan Hosner as Jacob Marley; Elizabeth Ledo as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Ross Lehman as Mr. Fezziwig; Joe Minoso as Fred; Jon Odom (Glen Ellyn) as Dick Wilkins; and Jarrod Zimmerman as Young Scrooge.

Cast members returning to the production include Sandra Delgado as Abby; Tim Gittings as Topper; Ora Jones as Mrs. Fezziwig; Michael Perez as Mr. Ortle; Ron Rains as Bob Cratchit; Lisa Tejero as Miss Crumb; Penelope Walker as the Ghost of Christmas Present; and Karen Jane Woditsch (Evanston) as Mrs. Cratchit. The musicians include Justin Amolsch, Ben Chang, Greg Hirte and Malcolm Ruhl (Evanston).

Based on Charles Dickens' classic 1843 novella, A Christmas Carol is the unforgettable tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy businessman with no family and a disdain for the holidays 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, in an effort to help the irascible miser rediscover life and love. A Christmas Carol features some of Dickens' most memorable characters, including the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future, the ghoulish specter of Scrooge's old friend Jacob Marley, the festive Fezziwigs and Scrooge’s kind-hearted clerk Bob Cratchit and his family, anchored by the frail Tiny Tim. Throughout its 34-year history at the Goodman, more than 1 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol, and the production has hosted six directors, eight Scrooges, 30 Tiny Tims and nearly 20,000 "Bah, Humbugs!".