Bigger and Better Than Ever!

A Christmas Carol

If you can believe it, this is the Goodman Theatre’s unbelievable 48th year presenting their popular, critically acclaimed production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. And the great news is that this year’s production is even bigger and better, than ever! Each year the Theatre surprises audiences with lots of exciting, new surprises that make their production feel fresh and even more extraordinary than the previous year. New cast members grace the stage and familiar actors seen in an unusual role tell the story. Technical tweaks in the scenery, new special effects and additional music and properties add a special freshness to the production. And each year, while Charles Dickens’ story and Tom Creamer’s script are both basically the same, the production is always a little different. And viva la difference! 

Last year saw a big change in the Goodman production. Christopher Donahue, the talented Chicago character actor, stepped into the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Larry Yando, the gifted thespian who’s been portraying Scrooge for so many years, is currently performing in the National Tour of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. But good news: the magnificent Mr. Donahue is back for a second year, proving that he makes the perfect Ebenezer Scrooge because he really plays this character to the hilt. Christopher Donahue absolutely makes this role all his own. Like Yando, Mr. Donahue doesn’t simply play the role, he totally inhabits the character. Subtle glances, tiny physical quirks, simple gestures and those huge, piercing eyes all make Christopher Donahue’s performance as the British curmudgeon rich and complex. Gruff and terrifying, with many carefully chosen moments of humor, Mr. Scrooge’s journey toward redemption is an absolute joy to behold.

Another big change this year is that the Goodman’s talented BOLD series Artistic Producer, Malkia Stampley, is navigating the production. The two time Jeff-nominated Director spices up this soulful and sincere stage adaptation with several new twists. Her production is earthy, straightforward and yet offers just the perfect amount of mirth and magic. This year the play begins a bit differently than in the past. Ms. Stampley opens her production with a chorus of Narrators, all adding their beautiful singing voices to a lovely Christmas chorale. But, reminding us that this is really a ghost story, a single Narrator tells us that “Marley was dead, to begin with. Marley was dead as a door-nail.” Then she introduces some of the author’s wicked humor, telling the audience, “Mind! I don’t know what there is particularly dead about a door-nail.” And suddenly the audience understands that this production will sometimes be humorous, as well as dramatic and dark.

The lighter, more feminine touch seems to be everywhere this year. There’s also much more music and definitely more inclusion of other cultures in this production, including the deaf community. Ms. Stampley’s production presents an inclusive company who unselfishly offer their heart, imagination and talent. Her presentation also illuminates the theme of Dickens’ novella: We all need to share in the responsibility of providing for those less fortunate. Another idea that really hits home is a reminder to not shut out our past, nor dwell upon it. Instead we need to uncover the lessons inherent in, as Dickens wrote, “the shadows of what once were,” both yesterday’s mistakes and today’s successes. Learning from the past and the present ensures a fulfilling future peppered with knowledge and unlimited possibilities. Scrooge eventually comes to understand this. Those who are currently running our country might want to take especial note.

The entire enormous cast is, as always, first-rate. This year Daniel Jose Molina gives a ghoulish and grim performance as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Doubling as Young Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Future, Daniel is terrific. Anthony Irons and Austin Tichenor are an entertaining duo as the charity workers, Mr. Ortle and Mr. Crumb; and Iron’s School Official is particularly stern and frightening, as he bids his students farewell for the holidays. Young Henry Lombardo once again portrays the student, young Ebenezer Scrooge, with honest sensitivity; and as Fan, lovely Sol Fuller is his petite older sister who radiates pure love for her little brother.

Another gifted actor returning this year, Lucky Stiff again plays the high-flying Ghost of Christmas Past. In Heidi Sue McMath’s sleek, silvery costume, the actor resembles a stylish sprite, crowned with a glowing crescent moon. With a most commanding demeanor, this Spirit shows a modicum of empathy and care for Scrooge. Costumed in holly and evergreen boughs, the beautiful and brilliantly talented Bethany Thomas returns to open Act II, as the larger-than-life Ghost of Christmas Present. This spunky spirit, clad in holly and greenery, shares her majestic musicality and infectious laughter to make this Ghost an audience favorite. Ms. Thomas also plays Scrooge’s Charwoman. And mastering the voiceless horror that is the towering Ghost of Christmas Future, Daniel Jose Molina injects this final Spirit to visit Scrooge with spine-chilling silence.

Jon Hudson Odom is masterful as Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s overworked, underpaid clerk. Odom is alternately hilarious and heartbreaking as Bob Cratchit. He lends an optimism and a pinch of joy to his earlier scenes, while evoking tears, following the death of poor Tiny Tim (a role played this year with pure innocence by little Ella Bopari). Helen Joo Lee is properly maternal and absolutely in charge as Mrs. Cratchit, while the other five Cratchit children, played by Viva  Boresi, A’Mia Imani, Sol Fuller, Henry Lombardo and Carmelo Kelly (who also appears as the “Turkey Child”), are full of energy as their mother’s little helpers.

This year, Arash Fakhrabadi makes an excellent young business apprentice, already showing Scrooge’s miserly colors; and Chris Khoshaba is farcical and fun-loving in the role of Scrooge’s friend and fellow apprentice, Dick Wilkins. Daniel Jose Molina does another fine job as young Marley, as well. I’m so happy to see Robert Schleifer return as Mr. Fezziwig, with a feisty Christina Clark as his Missus. Together the couple provides plenty of joy and giddiness as the the generous and lovable employers that everyone wishes they had. One of the most beautiful and heartfelt moments comes near the end of the play when Ebenezer’s niece Frida, played with mirth, truthfulness and love by Amira Danan, tenderly embraces her newly transformed Uncle Scrooge at their Christmas Day dinner. In a heartwarming scene filled with joy and affection, this is the moment to which this entire production has been heading all night. 

Part of the magic found in this year’s production comes courtesy of the terrific, talented live Musicians who stroll through the streets of London of the Past, Present and Future. They include Elleon Dobias on Violin, Brian A. Goodwin on Horn, Gregory Hirte mastering the Fiddle and on Percussion & Guitar, Benjamin Heppner. This group of artists, under the Direction of Mr. Hirte, keep the play filled with melody and a festive holiday atmosphere.

Technically, the backstage artistry behind this production is, once again, top-notch. Todd Rosenthal’s majestic and towering Set Design is made even more special by the spectacular Lighting by Keith Parham and a thundering Soundscape created by Pornchanok Kanchanabanca (based upon the original Sound Design by Richard Woodbury). They make this story extra special. Heidi Sue McMath’s gorgeous, period-perfect Costumes, the Original Music Composed by Andrew Hansen, superb Musical Direction delivered by Gregory Hirte and the sublimely stylized Choreography created by Tor Campbell add much to this production. And last but not least, the Flying Effects provided by ZFX, Inc. infuse this CHRISTMAS CAROL with especial enchantment. 

After years of so many excellent productions of this humorous and heartbreaking holiday classic, I thought I knew A CHRISTMAS CAROL. But each and every holiday season the Goodman Theatre surprises me with exciting new surprises that make their production feel fresh, unique and even more extraordinary than the previous year. So, once again, this new production is everything anyone could desire in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This production is bigger and better than ever! It’s what Christmas is all about, and Chicago is very lucky to have it back once more for another holiday season.

 Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented November 15-December 31 by the Goodman Theatre in the Albert auditorium at the Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the Goodman box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or by going to www.GoodmanTheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.