” A Christmas Carol” reviewed by Paul Lisnek

*****/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

Thursdays              7:00pm  except THANKSGIVING  12/26 add  2 p.m. performance

Fridays                   7:30pm

Saturdays              2:00pm & 7:30pm

Sundays                2:00pm & 7:00pm

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

www.goodmantheatre.org/Carol

Paul M. Lisnek, J.D., Ph.D.

Editor notes:

After reading Paul’s take, Jane and I went to see the new production on Friday ( the day after Thanksgiving) for a matinee. The audience was packed with many children and families set to be entertained. They were. The production under the direction of Jessica Thebus is spellbinding. Todd Rosenthal’s sets are amazing and the family next to us, who have never experienced live theater before were in awe of the buildings moving on an doff the stage as well as the actors flying about during the visits to  the various Christmases.

Christopher Donahue taking over the role of Ebenezer Scrooge was absolutely a delight to watch. Chicago audiences have been spoiled by the powerful work of Larry Yando, who did the role for years, and it had to be “a tough act to follow” for Donahue. He pullet it off to perfection. He developed his own Scrooge and I liked it a lot. The other changes were slight but worked. I loved the narrator telling the story and immersing with the townspeople and with Kate Fry doing this, how could you not.

A fabulous production that is worth seeing again. I think you will find yourself falling in love with the new version. I did!

Al Bresloff

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com,

go to Review Round-Up and click at “A Christmas carol”.