*****/5
This production of A Christmas Carol surpasses all Christmas Carols Past, Sets a New Standard for Christmas Present, and clearly Raises the Bar for Christmas Carols yet to come!
Any review worth its salt MUST begin with the unparalleled performance of Christopher Donahue as Ebenezer Scrooge. Donahue is utterly amazing as he takes on this immortal role and steps into the tough to fit in shoes of the actor who has owned this role (in the best of ways) for the past 16 years. Candidly, Larry Yando’s 16 year run was superb to be sure and many wondered how anyone could step into that role once Yando moved his talents down the street to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. But Donahue not only makes Scrooge his own, he brings a deep blend of his sense of passion, compassion and yes, humor that makes his performance an historical standout.
The ensemble cast clearly so enjoy the (in most case) many roles they play, connecting with the audience and bringing life into this ageless and timeless story. Goodman has always been known for diversity in casting and this production is no different. It’s a way of saying that our world is a conglomerate of all races, ethnicities, genders, and so on. No one is left out of this telling and everyone can feel like they are represented on stage and in the world.
Each year, the production is changed in sometimes small ways and for annual Goodman attendees, it’s fun to look for and identify the changes in scenery or costume and even in lines. It always fees fresh and always on top of its game. The sets are beyond stunning, the special effects worthy of any Broadway production and regardless of your age, you will feel young again enraptured with a sense of wonder as if we are all children once again.
A Christmas Carol -2024 – is stunning, moving, engaging and better than ever. You owe it to yourself and your family to experience the Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol…no one else does it like Goodman…no one!
“A Christmas Carol” will continue thru December 30th with performances as follows:
Wednesdays 7:00pm thru the 18th and a 2 p.m. on the 18th as well NO DECEMBER 24th
ENHANCED AND ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT GOODMAN THEATRE
ASL-Interpreted Performance: Friday, December 13 at 7:30pm – Professional ASL interpreter signs the action/text as played.
Touch Tour* and Audio-Described Performance: Saturday, December 7, 12:30pm Touch Tour; 2pm performance – The action/text is audibly enhanced for patrons via headset.
Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 15 at 2pm – An LED sign presents dialogue in sync with the performance.
Spanish-Subtitled Performance: Sunday, December 15 at 7pm – An LED sign presents Spanish-translated dialogue in sync with the performance.
Sensory-Friendly Performance: Saturday, December 29 at 2pm – Sensory-friendly/relaxed performances are designed to create a performing arts experience that is intended for patrons who have autism or other social, cognitive and physical challenges that create sensory sensitivities and their familie
Show Type: Comedy/Drama
Box Office: 312-443-3800
The Goodman Theatre is located at 170 N. Dearborn in Chicago.
Running Time: 2hrs, 20mins; one intermission
Paul M. Lisnek, J.D., Ph.D.
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com,
go to Review Round-Up and click at “A Christmas carol”.
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