Goodman Theatre presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL Review: A Classic Kickoff to the Holiday Season

“Old Marley was as dead as a doornail. Mind! I don't mean to say that, of my own knowledge, what there is particularly dead about a doornail. I might have been inclined, myself, to regard a coffin-nail as the deadest piece of ironmongery in the trade. But the wisdom of our ancestors is in the simile; and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for. You will therefore permit me to repeat, emphatically, that Marley was as dead as a doornail.” (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol)

Goodman Theatre’s production begins with the above quote from Dickens’ original novel, and Kareem Bandealy as the Narrator highlights the intended dark humor. In the midst of his speech, live music starts to play, and the audience can see the outlines of these musicians with their instruments through a dark screen behind Bandealy. As Bandealy finishes his monologue and introduces the start of A Christmas Carol, he waves his hand, the music swells, and the screen rises to reveal Ebenezer Scrooge at his desk. The Narrator becomes the conductor, and the combination of lighting and sound is almost magical, creating the perfect introduction to this classic holiday story that is about to form on stage.

Goodman Theatre presents A Christmas Carol

Directed by Henry Wishcamper and adapted from Charles Dickens’ original novel by Tom Creamer, the classic tale follows Ebenzer Scrooge (Larry Yando, with impeccable comedic timing), a selfish, sour older man who is headed down a path of certain loneliness and despair. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three ghosts – the Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Brennan), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Jasmine Bracey), and the Ghost of Christmas Future (Breon Arzell), all of whom show him how the choices he has made brought him to this point, and what will become of him and those around him if a change does not occur.

Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Larry Yando (Ebenezer Scrooge)
Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Lily Mojekwu (Mrs. Cratchit), Paris Strickland (Tiny Tim Cratchit) and Thomas J. Cox (Bob Cratchit)
Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
The cast of the 41st annual production of A Christmas Carol directed by Henry Wishcamper at Goodman Theatre

Through his journey, the audience meets favorites from the classic including the Cratchit family – including Bob Cratchit (Thomas J. Cox, who brings a loving charm to the role of the optimistic father and Scrooge’s assistant), and Tiny Tim (Paris Strickland, who brings her adorable and sweet character back to the stage for the second year).  As with any Christmas story, Scrooge is forced to reflect on his life and of course, he learns quite a few things along the way.

Aesthetically Striking Design

A Christmas Carol returns to the Goodman for the 41st year, and Henry Wishcamper’s production is certainly full of color and life that brought the opening night audience to their feet at the curtain call. Scrooge’s journey of self-reflection is full of magic and wonder, as is typical of the holiday season, and Wishcamper’s production leans into those qualities through a collaboration with the artistic team, in particular Lighting Designer Keith Parham and Set Designer Todd Rosenthal.

One such moment occurs in the Ghost of Christmas Present’s visit. Each of the Christmas spirits is different in their approach to Scrooge’s journey, and Bracey’s spirit in this writer’s view commands the stage with her presence and humor. As she drags Scrooge into the streets of Christmas Day to witness those who interact with him on the day to day, she throws some sparkly magic dust in the air, and suddenly the backdrop transforms into a starry night, and snow begins to fall from above. The ending image resembles one of a snow globe, and the effect is gorgeous.

Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
(centered/L to R) Asher Alcantara, Henry Lombardo, Nelson Simmons, Maggie Chong and Maya Reyna
Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Larry Yando (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Thomas J. Cox (Bob Cratchit)

Wishcamper’s moments of beauty are certainly memorable for this writer, but A Christmas Carol is also a story of warning, and the director and his artistic team create equally striking images in those bleaker scenes. One such moment occurs with the Ghost of Christmas Future, whose goal is to solidify in Scrooge’s mind what his fate will become if he fails to change. As the ghost enters the stage in his long, dark robe, smoke fills the stage, and the lights dim to almost complete darkness except for one spotlight that highlights Scrooge and the spirit. The Ghost uses a tactic of terror, and the design brings that theme to life.

Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Penelope Walker (Mrs. Fezziwig), Breon Arzell (Dick Wilkins) and Larry Yando (Ebenezer Scrooge)

A Musical Christmas Story

In addition to the design, the use of Music Composer Andrew Hansen’s live creations adds to the magic of Wishcamper’s production with Justin Amolsch on French Horn, Andrew Coil on Guitar/Violin, Maddi Ruhl on Flute/Recorder/Piccolo, and Malcolm Ruhl on Concertina/Accordion/Guitar. Wishcamper invites the musicians onto the stage in transitions through time and space with the ghosts that emphasize the idea of a world in which anything can happen – beginning with the Ghost of Christmas Past’s journey with Scrooge into his childhood, one that Brennan leads in this writer’s view with a fun flair.

In this writer’s view, Scrooge’s story is one to which anyone can relate – especially at this time of year that is so full of traditions and resolutions for the New Year.  Dickens’ tale invites those witnessing the events to step back and reflect upon their own lives and while that can be a daunting task, Goodman’s production invites the audience into that world of self-exploration through one that is also fun and full of life.

Stellar ensemble and brilliant design make A Christmas Story, in this writer’s view, the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.

Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Asher Alcantara (Percy), Penelope Walker (Party Guest), Andy Nagraj (Abe), Ariana Burks (Party Guest), Larry Yando (Ebenezer Scrooge), Ali Burch (Frida), Barbara Robertson (Party Guest), Christopher Sheard (Party Guest) and Maya Reyna (Party Guest)
Goodman Theatre CHRISTMAS CAROL
Jasmine Bracey (Ghost of Christmas Present), Thomas J. Cox (Bob Cratchit), Paris Strickland (Tiny Tim Cratchit), Asher Alcantara (Peter Cratchit), Maggie Chong (Emily Cratchit), Ariana Burks (Martha Cratchit), Nelson Simmons (Nelson Cratchit), Maya Reyna (Belinda Cratchit), Larry Yando (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Lily Mojekwu (Mrs. Cratchit)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Note: This is now added to the Picture this Post round up of BEST PLAYS IN CHICAGO, where it will remain until the end of the run. Click here to read — Top Picks for Theater in Chicago NOW – Chicago Plays PICTURE THIS POST Loves.

Editor’s Note: And just as great is Chicago Shakespeares’ hip-hop update to this classic! Click here to read the review of Q BROTHERS CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Watch this video showing the TOP PICK PLAYS of 2019

Cast:

Larry Yando… Embenezer Scrooge
Asher Alcantara… Boy Scrooge/Peter Cratchit
Justin Amolsch…. Musician/French Horn
Breon Arzell…. Dick Wilkins
Kareem Bandealy… Narrator/Jacob Marley
Jasmine Bracey… Ghost of Christmas Present
Molly Brennan…. Ghost of Christmas Past
Ali Burch… Frida
Ariana Burks… Fan/Martha Cratchit
Maggie Chong… Emily Cratchit
Andrew Coil… Musician/Fiddle
Thomas J. Cox… Bob Cratchitt
Henry Lombardo… Ignorance/Tiny Tim Alternate
Lily Mojekwu… Mrs. Cratchit
Andy Nagraj… Ortle
Maya Reyna… Belinda Cratchit
Sadieh Rifai… Belle
Barbara Robertson… Old Joe/Schoolmaster
Maddi Ruhl…. Musician/Flute
Malcolm Ruhl… Musician/Accordion
Christpher Sheard… Young Scrooge
Nelson Simmons… Turkey Child
Paris Strickland… Tiny Tim
Penelope Walker… Mrs. Crumb/Mrs. Fezziwig
Jonah D. Winston… Mr. Fezziwig

Crew:

Tom Creamer… Adaptor
Henry Wishcamper… Director
Todd Rosenthal… Set Designer
Keith Parham… Lighting Designer
Richard Woodbury… Sound Designer
Andrew Hansen…. Original Music Composer
Alden Vasquez… Production Stage Manager

When:

Running through December 30, 2018

Wednesdays at 7:30pm
Thursdays at 7:30pm
Fridays at 8:00pm
Saturdays at 2:00pm and 8:00pm
Sundays at 2:00pm and 6:30pm

Running time: 2 hours and 15 minutes, with intermission.

Where:

Goodman Theatre
170 N Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60601

For tickets and information see the Goodman Theatre website.

photo credit: Liz Lauren

Note: Picture This Post reviews are excerpted by Theatre in Chicago

About the Author:

Lauren Katz is a freelance director and dramaturge, and new to the Chicago Theatre Scene. She recently moved from Washington DC, where she worked with Mosaic Theater Company of DC in Company Management, as well as directed around town with various theaters.

Click here to read more Picture this Post stories by Lauren Katz.

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