PicksInSix Review: A Christmas Carol - Goodman Theatre

‘A Christmas Carol’ Returns to Goodman!
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

Tis the season at Goodman Theatre and Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” opened on Sunday, heralding in the holiday in festive form. The classic adaptation by Tom Creamer is stylishly directed this year by Malkia Stampley and once again stars Christopher Donahue in an outstanding performance as the irascible humbug Ebenezer Scrooge who finds the true meaning of Christmas, life, and the errors of his ways, through the eyes of three devilishly haunting spirits.

Over the years, Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” has consistently delivered a rousing good story, richly told with magical special effects, live music and merriment, and thrilling suspense mixed with a wholesome moral message of the importance of kindness and goodwill to all. That story, and the characters telling it, change a bit from year to year and the production now on stage in the Albert seems to be as fresh and vibrant as the first time I saw it over two decades ago. That is not to say that one particular year is remarkably more entertaining than any other, however, there is a pep in the step of this production that flows smartly from Donahue’s endearing performance and infects everyone else involved in this much beloved holiday classic.

Stampley’s heartwarming production follows Donahue’s Scrooge as he discovers the poignant flashpoints of his life—what was, what is, and what will be. His excessive disdain first manifests itself in his domineering relationship with Bob Cratchit (a terrific turn for Jon Hudson Odom) on Christmas Eve in the office of Scrooge and Marley. It is the anniversary of the death of Scrooge’s malevolent partner Jacob Marley (a chilling Daniel José Marina) and Scrooge is soon confronted by Marley still shackled in purgatory, warning of a similar demise if Scrooge does not heed his warning. That all sets in motion visits by the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Lucky Stiff), Present (Bethany Thomas) and a formidably dark Christmas Future (Molina) to lead Scrooge to his eventual enlightenment.

The festive pageantry of Stampley’s production shines brightly thanks to the multi-talented ensemble who serve as guests who raise the temperature of the holiday party hosted by the Fezziwig’s (Robert Schleifer and Christina Clark, a glorious match), the Christmas Day gatherings at the home of Scrooge’s adoring niece Frida (Amira Danan) and her partner Abigail (Jazzlyn Luckett Aderele), there’s a modern twist, and passersby in the holiday street scenes and within the sobering darkness that is Scrooge’s uncertain future.

Through it all, Donahue captures the essence of the darker side of Scrooge’s lowly persona and his joyous, almost childlike, exuberance in rebirth that bursts forth with all the joy and revelry one can imagine. Along the way, it is fascinating to watch the infinite layers of emotions peeled away as he observes the Fezziwig party from aloft, at the Cratchit’s Christmas dinner and in the joyous enlightenment that finally rings the Christmas bells with reckless abandon. And in supporting roles, Thomas is terrific in a return performance as Christmas Present and as Scrooge’s cantankerous charwoman, the versatile Anthony Irons and Austin Tichenor are delightful everywhere, and, the stunning Sól Fuller sings beautifully as the young Fan along with roles as Catherine and Martha Cratchit.

Todd Rosenthal’s iconic set design, Heidi Sue McMath’s stunning costumes and all the technical aspects from Keith Parham’s lighting and sound design by Pornchanok Kanachanabanca based on Richard Woodbury’s original, add to the eye-popping aura of the show. With the on-stage musicians—including and under the longtime direction of Gregory Hirte who perform original music by Andrew Hansen—young and old alike will share in every facet of this unforgettable experience. There is simply no better way to welcome the holiday season than a visit to Goodman Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol.”        

PHOTO|Brett Beiner

Goodman Theatre
presents
Charles Dickens’

A Christmas Carol
Albert Theatre
through December 31, 2025

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PicksInSix Review: A Christmas Carol - Goodman Theatre

“A Man’s Actions Foreshadow Certain Ends”
PicksInSix Review | Ed Tracy

The corner of Randolph and Dearborn was abuzz Sunday afternoon with the thriving Christkindlmarket on Daley Plaza and patrons, all decked out for the holidays, pouring in and out of Petterino’s that has a festive seasonal atmosphere all its own this time of year. And next door at Goodman Theatre, carolers entertained the crowd and lit the Goodman tree prior to the press opening of the 47th annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

If you are counting, that’s a magnificent accomplishment. Presenting a timeless classic for nearly five decades—over 20 of them in the Goodman’s elegant Albert Theatre—takes some inventive twists and artistic turns to keep it fresh and engaging for multiple generations of returning audiences and edgy enough to attract newcomers. The Goodman, now under the artistic leadership of Susan V. Booth, succeeds again on both counts.

In Director Jessica Thebus’s delightfully haunting new offering of Tom Creamer’s adaptation with contributions from Neena Arndt, Christopher Donahue wraps his own distinctive style of demonic humbuggery around Ebenezer Scrooge as he transforms from an embittered loner to the toast of the town after facing three spirits who show him the implicit error in his ways. Right from the start, Donahue infuses Dickens erasable miser with a dark and heavy dose of disgust for all things Christmas, from chastising his earnest clerk Bob Cratchit (Anthony Irons) over a lump of coal and dismissing the loving affection of his niece Frida (Dee Dee Batteast), to summarily rejecting the appeals for support from Mr. Ortle (Wai Yim) and Miss Crumb (Penelope Walker). The levels of meanness in Donahue’s Scrooge appear to have no bounds early on and provide the brilliant actor a wide range of emotions for the transformative scenes that follow.

The story—which is smartly narrated throughout by the charming Kate Fry—follows Scrooge and the spirits in a trip to his own past, present and future, foretold in the chilling visitation from his dead-as-a-doornail partner Jacob Marley (William Dick). In Scrooge’s high-flying encounter with the Ghost of Christmas Past (Lucky Stiff) a visit to his former school and sister Fan (Tafadzwa Diener) is followed by a vision of his apprenticeship with Fezziwg (Robert Schleifer) who communicates with sign language and the aid of his interpreter Max (Mark Bedard). The festive Fezziwig party atmosphere is shrouded by the ambitious young Scrooge (Daniel José Molina) and Marley (Arash Fakhrabadi) who hatch a devious plot at the expense of any future relationship that Scrooge might have had with the lovely Belle (Amira Danan).

The Ghost of Christmas Present (Bri Sudia) drops Scrooge in to observe Bob Cratchit’s family and the plight of Tiny Tim (Ava Rose Doty) which leads to the dark predictions of the Ghost of Christmas Future (Danan). It’s then all up to Donohue’s masterfully jubilant self-realization and redemption in understanding the true spirit of Christmas.

There are supreme elements of joy for everyone in Goodman’s fine production of “A Christmas Carol”—the superb on-stage musicians, long a distinctive element of this show, here performed by Hillary Bayley, Brian Goodwin, Malcom Ruhl and Gregory Hirt; Todd Rosenthal’s arresting scenic design colorfully awash with Keith Parham’s lighting; elegant period costumes by Heidi Sue McMath; and, a multi-talented ensemble playing many roles—all making this satisfying and heartfelt show a perfect family destination for the holiday season.   

PHOTO|Liz Lauren

Goodman Theatre
presents
Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol
through December 30

WEBSITE

(312) 443-3800

TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

ARCHIVE

PicksInSix® is a registered trademark of Roxbury Road Creative, LLC