After 30 years, Goodman's 'Christmas Carol' still shines brilliantly
With a new Scrooge and a new Bob Cratchit, the Goodman Theatre's production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" celebrates 30 years with a show as wonderful as ever.
In those 30 years, kids who saw the first productions have grown into middle age, and the show has joined the short list of Christmas-season "musts" in Chicago.
That's with good reason. The Goodman has always popped for elaborate sets, costumes and special effects and captured a lot of great talent.
This year, veteran actor Larry Yando, who spent three years as Scar in the Broadway touring production of "The Lion King," steps in as Scrooge.
All that growling prepared him well for the role of the gruff miser. In the first scenes, he practically bites off people's heads with menacing relish, building Scrooge's reputation as a nasty, vicious jerk.
Later, as the three spirits guide him through time, Yando delivers a satisfyingly skeptical, "what's in it for me?" attitude as he squints at the events depicted.
He makes an expressive, ebullient Scrooge, the best kind.
I wish he had held back the happiness just a little longer after the first spirit lifts him off his feet, making his transition from grouch to good heart more gradual. But that's a minor complaint compared to the rich shadings he pours into the role.
Ron Rains, also new this year, makes a pleasantly salt-of-the-earth Bob Cratchit.
Director William Brown, a former Goodman Scrooge himself, adds several nice touches to the show.
He gives some of the quiet moments-like Tiny Tim dragging himself on crutches, or Scrooge's nephew Fred unable, in an emotional moment, to finish his beautiful song-the time they deserve for the impact to sink in.
I particularly liked the short prologue that explains what Jacob Marley meant to Scrooge. Often with other productions, it's not clear who Marley is when his ghost shows up rattling those heavy chains.
The prologue establishes why Scrooge's dead partner would return from the grave with a warning, and that makes the story more understandable.
As usual, a stellar supporting cast, as well as top-notch production values and special effects, make this a memorable production that's worth every bit of the ticket price and the trek downtown. It's enough to, quite literally, light up the Christmas sky.
"A Christmas Carol"
Location: Goodman Theater, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays (no show Nov. 29), 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Extra shows: noon Nov. 29 and Dec. 4, 12 and 13; 2 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24; 2 p.m. Dec. 26 and 27. No show 6:30 p.m. shows Dec. 16 or 23. Through Dec. 29.
Tickets: $20-$70. (312) 443-3800.
Running time: Two hours, 30 minutes, including one intermission.
Parking: With validation, $13. Enter Government Center lot on Lake Street between Dearborn and Clark streets. Have ticket validated in Goodman lobby.
Rated: Suitable for all ages, though ghosts may frighten very young children.