Goodman Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ — An Audio Play

Tune in to 91.5 FM WBEZ, 91.1 FM Vocalo or to the digital livestream at wbez.org

As the holiday season approaches in Chicago amid a global pandemic, WBEZ Chicago and Vocalo are partnering with Goodman Theatre to bring its iconic Chicago tradition to Chicagoland homes this year. WBEZ Chicago and Vocalo will broadcast Goodman Theatre’s audio production of A Christmas Carol in two special airings on Christmas Eve at 3pm and Christmas Day at 11am. Experience Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol anew with an audio streaming version. The voices you love—including Larry Yando as Scrooge—and Goodman Theatre’s signature soundscape come to vivid life in your home.

Whether your loved ones are across the miles or across the room—come together and listen to Chicago’s favorite holiday tradition for more than 43 years.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Miserly businessman Ebenezer Scrooge’s sizable bank account is only matched by his disdain for the holidays. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, helping him on his discovery of kindness, compassion and redemption.

______________________________________________________

A Christmas Carol – An Audio Play

By Charles Dickens

Adapted by Tom Creamer

Adapted for Audio by Neena Arndt, Jessica Thebus and Richard Woodbury

Directed by Jessica Thebus

Asher Alcantara……………………………………………Boy Scrooge/Child in Doorway/Peter Cratchit/Turkey Child/Percy

Kareem Bandealy…………………………………………Jacob Marley/Young Marley/Hat Seller

Dee Dee Batteast………………………………………….Frida

Ariana Burks………………………………………………….Fan/Martha Cratchit/Catherine

Thomas J. Cox………………………………………………Bob Cratchit/Tree Seller

Allen Gilmore……………………………………………….Abe/Ortle/Schoolmaster/Poulterer

Cindy Gold……………………………………………………Mrs. Fezziwig/Passerby/Chestnut Seller

Gregory Hirte………………………………………………..Dick Wilkins/Musician/Fiddler/Wreath Seller

Susaan Jamshidi…………………………………………Mrs. Cratchit

Vikram Konkimalla………………………………………Tiny Tim/Child#1

Jennifer Latimore…………………………………………Belle/Frida’s Guest/Young Woman

Aurora Real de Asua……………………………………..Ghost of Christmas Past

Malcolm Ruhl……………………………………………….Musician/Mr. Spinet

Christopher Sheard………………………………………Young Scrooge/Young Man

Paris Strickland……………………………………………Emily Cratchit/Child#3/NewspaperGirl

Bethany Thomas…………………………………………..Ghost of Christmas Present

Penelope Walker…………………………………………..Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Crumb

Andrew White………………………………………………..Narrator

Larry Yando…………………………………………………..Ebenezer Scrooge

Creative Team

Eva Breneman………………………………………………Dialect Coach

Andrew Hansen…………………………………………….Original Music

Malcolm Ruhl………………………………………………..Music Director

Richard Woodbury…………………………………………Sound Designer

Alden Vasquez………………………………………………Project Coordinator

ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE

Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement. Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earned two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fourth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.

As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.

Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation of the new Goodman center in 2000.

Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Henry Godinez, Dael Orlandersmith, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.