Chicago White Sox Manager Robin Ventura Makes His Goodman Debut

Chicago White Sox Manager Robin Ventura and nine-year-old Emily Beazley of the Make-A-Wish Foundation make a one-night-only special appearance in A Christmas Carol on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30pm.

Ventura and Beazley don costumes tailored especially for them and make their Goodman Theatre debut in select scenes of the 34th annual production of Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. This event marks the fifth consecutive year that the Goodman and Make-A-Wish Foundation have brightened the life of child battling a life-threatening medical condition.

Tickets ($25 ? $92) to Robin Ventura/Make-A-Wish Night are available by calling the Box Office 312.443.3800 or visiting GoodmanTheatre.org. BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor of A Christmas Carol and Aon Corporation and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners. The Melting Pot is the Promotional Partner for A Christmas Carol.

"We are thrilled to mark the 5th year of our special Make-A-Wish partnership by welcoming White Sox legend Robin Ventura and budding actress Emily Beazley to our stage," said Goodman Theatre Executive Director Roche Schulfer. "Every night in the theater is special?but this annual one-of-a-kind event is truly one of the most rewarding."

Robin Ventura was named the 39th manager in White Sox history in October 2011, replacing former teammate Ozzie Guillen. He becomes the 18th former White Sox player to manage the club, and is the only current manager to be drafted and play with the club he now manages. Ventura spent 16 major-league seasons with the White Sox (1989 ? 98), New York Mets (1999 ? 2001), New York Yankees (2002 ? 03) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2003 ? 2004), playing for a managerial list that included Jeff Torborg, Bobby Valentine, Joe Torre and Jim Tracey and won six Gold Gloves (1991 ? 93, 1996, 1998 ? 99) and was a two-time All-Star (1992 and 2002). In 2,079 career games, he hit .267 (1,885-7,064) with 294 home runs and 1,182 RBI. Ventura attended Oklahoma State University, where he was named College Player of the Decade by Baseball America. He and his wife, Stephanie, have four children.

"I am honored to have the chance to perform in this year's production of A Christmas Carol," said Robin Ventura. "But I am even more honored to be part of Emily's wish and that myself, and the White Sox, are involved with this great partnership between Goodman Theatre and the Make-A-Wish Foundation."