Blackhawks' Bobby Hull to Make Theatre Debut in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

It's an "exhibition game" of a very special kind when Goodman Theatre welcomes ice hockey legend Bobby Hull, together with Charles Finch of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to the stage for a one-night-only appearance in A Christmas Carol December 14 at 7:30pm. Hull and Finch don costumes created especially for them, and appear in select scenes of A Christmas Carol directed by William Brown. Together with the cast, they take a bow and sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at curtain call. Following the performance, Hull will meet and greet audiences in the theater's lobby, where signed copies of his book, The Golden Jet, will be available for purchase. This event marks the fourth consecutive year that the Goodman and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have made a young person's dream of appearing on stage come true-and the theater's first partnership with the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. Tickets ($68+) to Bobby Hull/Make-A-Wish Night are available by calling the Box Office 312.443.3800 or visiting www.GoodmanTheatre.org.

"We are proud to partner with Chicago's Championship team and welcome hockey's legendary Bobby Hull to our stage- together with an up-and-coming superstar, Charles Finch," said Goodman Theatre Executive Director Roche Schulfer.

"Every night in the theater is special, but to grant a young person's wish with the Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of the most meaningful nights we experience each year."

Eleven-year-old Charles Finch (Markham, IL), a Washington Elementary School sixth grader who suffers from Hodgkin's lymphoma, dreams of becoming an actor on the stage and screen.

"I am thrilled to play such a special role in A Christmas Carol and share the stage with a star like Charles," said Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador and Hall-of-Famer Bobby Hull. "The Blackhawks and Goodman Theatre are significant parts of Chicago's great tradition, making it an honor to be bringing the two together for this night."

In 1957, at the age of 18, Bobby Hull began his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first two seasons, he appeared in 70 games each season, but his third season could very well be considered his breakout year. The 1959/1960 season saw "The Golden Jet" increase his goal total to 39 as Hull mastered his game by increasing the curve on his stick and popularizing the slapshot. In the 1960/1961 season Hull's natural abilities continued to shine when he scored 50 goals, which equaled the NHL record for most goals in a season, led the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup and won his second Art Ross Trophy. In the 1965/1966 season, Hull became the first player in the league to break the 50 goal barrier when he scored 54 goals and added 43 assists. For his effort, Hull was awarded his second Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player. When he retired, Hull was second only to hockey legend Gordie Howe in goals and total points. In his 15 NHL seasons, Hull scored 610 goals and 1,170 points making him the highest scoring left wing in history at that time.

"This role in A Christmas Carol is a wonderful opportunity for our wish child to feel the compassion of the community as he battles cancer," said Stephanie Springs, Chief Executive officer of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois. "The experience will surely be amazing and help to keep Charles' excitement level high as we work to plan his movie wish."

Celebrating 25 years of granting wishes in Illinois, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois continues to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich their lives with hope, strength and joy. Since 1985, the Foundation has granted more than 9,000 to special children across Illinois. For more information or to find out how you can help, call 312.602.WISH or visit www.wishes.org.

The Goodman is grateful to the sponsors of its 33rd annual production of A Christmas Carol (November 19 - December 31) including Major Corporate Sponsor Harris Bank; Corporate Sponsor Partners Aon Corporation, Chapman and Cutler LLP and KPMG LLP; and Media Sponsor Chicago Tribune.

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