Goodman Theatre’s production begins with the above quote from Dickens’ original novel, and Kareem Bandealy as the Narrator highlights the intended dark humor. In the midst of his speech, live music starts to play, and the audience can see the outlines of these musicians with their instruments through a dark screen behind Bandealy. As Bandealy finishes his monologue and introduces the start of A Christmas Carol, he waves his hand, the music swells, and the screen rises to reveal Ebenezer Scrooge at his desk. The Narrator becomes the conductor, and the combination of lighting and sound is almost magical, creating the perfect introduction to this classic holiday story that is about to form on stage.
Goodman Theatre presents A Christmas Carol
Directed by Henry Wishcamper and adapted from Charles Dickens’ original novel by Tom Creamer, the classic tale follows Ebenzer Scrooge (Larry Yando, with impeccable comedic timing), a selfish, sour older man who is headed down a path of certain loneliness and despair. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by three ghosts – the Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Brennan), the Ghost of Christmas Present (Jasmine Bracey), and the Ghost of Christmas Future (Breon Arzell), all of whom show him how the choices he has made brought him to this point, and what will become of him and those around him if a change does not occur.
Lauren Katz is a freelance director and dramaturge, and new to the Chicago Theatre Scene. She recently moved from Washington DC, where she worked with Mosaic Theater Company of DC in Company Management, as well as directed around town with various theaters.