Once again it’s “bah humbug” time as the Goodman Theatre is about to debut its 47th annual production of “A Christmas Carol” with new actors taking over major roles including that of Ebenezer Scrooge.
For the past 16 years, actor Larry Yando put his indelible stamp on the beloved holiday tradition. Arguably, his rich portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge was a role he was born to play. But the run ended when Yando left to join the cast of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” now playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Stepping into the role is Christopher Donahue, a seasoned Chicago actor, who is actually getting to know Scrooge all over again. He has a history with the character, which he feels gives him a bit of a “leg up walking into rehearsals.”
“I played him for two seasons about 10 years ago at Milwaukee Rep,” Donahue explains in a recent interview, during a break from rehearsals. “So I kind of know the role, and basically what it entails. So I grabbed this opportunity.”
He adds that he is looking forward to putting his stamp on the character, which of course will be different than Yando’s. But stepping into some big shoes doesn’t worry him.
“There’s a reason to be confident because there’s a rich history of folks playing Scrooge here at the Goodman,” Donahue says. “It’s such a holiday tradition, and I’m just the current guy.”
Charles Dickens was a master at portraying the different strata of life in Victorian England. From poorest poor to richest rich, unforgettable characters came to life through his writing.
And he accomplished this nowhere better than in his smallest novel, “A Christmas Carol,” which at its heart is the story of the education and redemption of one mean and miserly man.
“I think a huge part of the message of the story is to look up and out and recognize the lives around you and, of course, that is what Christmas is all about,” Donahue says. “Dickens’ words written many, many years ago are still so relevant today.”
Donahue, who most recently performed at the Goodman in Robert Falls’ 2023 staging of “The Cherry Orchard,” was talking during a much-needed lunch break after a vigorous morning of rehearsing the physically demanding scenes when Marley’s ghost appears to Scrooge. He was in week two of rehearsals and still feeling his way around the Goodman staging.
“I’m piecing it together in a room full of people who know the show very, very well and have their own histories with the show. I feel like I’m in good hands.”
Other new additions to the cast are Kate Fry (Narrator), Anthony Irons (Bob Cratchit), Bri Sudia (Ghost of Christmas Present) and Ava Rose Doty (Tiny Tim).
Director Jessica Thebus, who is returning for her fifth season helming Tom Creamer’s adaptation of the classic novel, says the “magic of the whole thing” comes through with new actors.
“You see the details of why people are so individual. They bring their own stuff to the process. Larry [Yando] was absolutely wonderful in the role, and Chris will also be wonderful but in a different way. It’s really fun to see his process unfold.”
“I’m the perfect age for Scrooge,” Donahue, 61, says with a laugh. He’s begun piecing together his take on Scrooge. First and foremost, he want to make him “a real person.”
“A real, sad person and someone who takes out his own sadness and disappointment on everyone else which, of course, makes him suffer the most,” Donahue says, adding, “Over the years, I’ve played monsters (Frankenstein) and sad kings (Odysseus, King Duncan) and various combinations thereof (Ahab). It’s kind of my specialty and Scrooge is just another one of these.”
The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future — assisted by a helping of special effects — are always among the highlights of the Goodman production. As the story unfolds, the ghosts and Scrooge embark on an eye-opening adventure during which he peruses the mistakes of his past, the problems of the present and the horrors of the future.
Donahue claims the Ghost of Christmas Past is his favorite.
“It’s where the real meat and potatoes are for me. This big examination of one’s past, one’s history on this planet, is very, very moving and hard to do. The things Scrooge is shown are very moving.”
Thebus is diplomatic when asked the same “favorite ghost” question.
“I love all the ghosts equally,” she says with a laugh, adding that there’s been some tinkering with the ghosts this year.
“We have a new thing happening with Future that I’m excited about and a couple of ghosts now have minions, little ghosts that go with them. We’re maximizing all the possible ghosts.”
As generations of theatergoers have discovered, there’s probably no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to let yourself be enveloped by this transformative tale of hope and redemption.