Two Holiday Shows Take The Stage At Goodman Theatre

Tis the season for holiday theatergoing! This year, Goodman Theatre offers two choices for Chicago audiences-Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, now in its 41st year, and the Goodman debut of David Sedaris' contemporary, irreverent The Santaland Diaries, adapted by Joe Mantello. The Goodman kicks off the holiday season on Saturday, November 17 at 7pm with its annual tree lighting featuring cast members of A Christmas Carol, prior to the evening performance.

A Christmas Carol directed by Henry Wishcamper appears November 17 - December 30 in the Albert Theatre; tickets are $25 - $119 (subject to change). The Santaland Diaries directed by Steve Scott appears November 30 - December 30 in the Owen Theatre; tickets are $15-45 (subject to change). Tickets to both productions are available by telephone 312.443.3800, online at GoodmanTheatre.org or at the Box Office (170 N. Dearborn).

More than 1.5 million people have experienced Goodman Theatre's family-favorite, A Christmas Carol, "one of Chicago's treasured Christmas traditions" (Theatermania), now returning for the 41st year. Under Artistic Associate Henry Wishcamper's direction for the sixth year, the annual production "remains the greatest seasonal story of all" (Chicago Tribune) and features Chicago actor Larry Yando, who leads the 26-member cast as the irascible businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Yando is Paris Strickland, who reprises her role as Tiny Tim for the second year. One Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, helping him rediscover the joys of life, love and friendship. The run includes a first-ever Spanish-translated performance (December 28 at 8pm) and a Sensory-Friendly performance in partnership with Autism Speaks-Chicago (December 29 at 2pm). Bank of America is the Major Corporate Sponsor, Macy's is a Corporate Sponsor Partner and Sensory-Friendly Performance Sponsor, Allstate Insurance Company and KPMG LLP are the Corporate Sponsor Partners and the Chicago Tribune is the Media Partner.

"Funny, campy, foul-mouthed and festive" (Chicago Reader), The Santaland Diaries is David Sedaris' "vivid, hilarious portrait of family Christmas with his deft combination of wicked humor and scalpel-sharp observation" (Chicago magazine). Adapted by Joe Mantello and directed by longtime Goodman Artistic Associate Steve Scott, this "theatrical stocking stuffer" (Chicago Reader) is perfect for those who prefer their eggnog spiked. Chicago favorite Matt Crowle makes his Goodman debut in a solo performance as the strapped-for-cash struggling actor who takes a job as "Crumpet," an elf at Macy's Santaland-and his hilarious observations are more naughty than nice. Sedaris debuted The Santaland Diaries as an essay on National Public Radio in 1992. On the heels of that success, it was published in his essay collections Barrel Fever and Holidays on Ice. It was subsequently adapted by Mantello into a one-act, one-man stage production, which premiered at Atlantic Theater Company (1996) and was performed across the nation for over the past two decades. For "mature elves" only.

Photo Credit: Liz Lauren