Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
Goodman Theatre cancels all remaining performances of A Christmas Carol because of COVID
Goodman Theatre cancels all remaining performances of A Christmas Carol. Ticket Holders to impacted performances will receive free access to high quality video stream of the 2021 production and a full refund (or Goodman Credit or Tax Deductible donation). Starting Tuesday (Dec. 28) at 10 AM, all audiences can view the high quality video stream of the 2021 production of the A Christmas Carol for $25 via GOODMANTHEATRE.ORG/CAROL
Executive Director Roche Schulfer announced today that all remaining performances of Goodman Theatre’s 44th annual production of A Christmas Carol, directed by Jessica Thebus, have been cancelled through closing (December 31).
COVID-19 exposure within the production company, along with current pubic health conditions and rapid transmission rate of the recent surge, have made it necessary to close to ensure the safety of audiences, artists and staff.
Ticket holders to the impacted performances (listed below) will receive a full refund by Friday, January 7. If the buyer instead prefers to convert the cost of the tickets to a Goodman credit, or make tax-deductible contribution, these options are also possible.
Patrons holding tickets to impacted performances who want to exercise options other than a refund should email [email protected] and include their name and Customer ID (located on the ticket) along with their preferences before January 7.
Ticket Services is reachable by telephone at 312.443.3800 (12noon – 5pm, daily) or by email at [email protected]. Note that box call volume may be high.
Cancelled performances include December 19 (7:30pm); December 20 (2pm and 6:30pm); December 21 (2pm); December 22 (2pm and 7pm); December 23 (2pm and 7pm); December 24 (2pm); December 28 (2pm); December 29 (2pm and 7pm); December 30 (2pm and 7pm) and December 31 (2pm).
“On behalf of the company of A Christmas Carol, and all of the artists and staff of Goodman Theatre, we thank our Chicago community for their support as this great Chicago holiday tradition returned to the stage for its 44th annual production, following a year of darkened theaters. As disappointing as it is to close early, we appreciate our audiences’ understanding that a safe environment for all remains our top priority,” said Executive Director/CEO Roche Schulfer.
“We invite all audiences to enjoy the 2021 production on video with our new high-quality stream—accessible for $25, or free for anyone holding tickets to a cancelled performance.”
In addition, the Goodman has made available a high-quality video stream of this year’s production to watch from the comfort of home.
The high-quality video, recorded with five cameras and produced in collaboration with Christiana Tye Productions and Hatfield Post/Production, is now viewable through January 14. The video is FREE for ticket holders to impacted performances (viewing instructions will arrive via email) and all audiences may now purchase access to the video for $25; visit GoodmanTheatre.org/Carol for details.
Nearly two million people have experienced Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol—hailed as “the crown jewel of the holiday season” (Daily Herald)—Charles Dickens’ “beautiful, timeless message of generosity’s triumph over greed” (Chicago Tribune).
Ebenezer Scrooge’s sizable bank account is only matched by his disdain for the holidays. But one fateful Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by four ghosts who take him on a spectacular adventure through his past, present and future, and enable his discovery of kindness, compassion and redemption.
Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of PNC, Major Corporate Sponsor.
ABOUT GOODMAN THEATRE
Chicago’s theater since 1925, Goodman Theatre is a not-for-profit arts and community organization in the heart of the Loop, distinguished by the excellence and scope of its artistic programming and community engagement.
Led by Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the theater’s artistic priorities include new play development (more than 150 world or American premieres), large scale musical theater works and reimagined classics. Artists and productions have earner two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards and more than 160 Jeff Awards, among other accolades. The Goodman is the first theater in the world to produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Its longtime annual holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, now in its fifth decade, has created a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago. The Goodman also frequently serves as a production and program partner with national and international companies and Chicago’s Off-Loop theaters.
Using the tools of the theatrical profession, the Goodman’s Education and Engagement programs aim to develop generations of citizens who understand the cultures and stories of diverse voices. The Goodman’s Alice Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement is the home of these programs, which are offered free of charge for Chicago youth—85% of whom come from underserved communities—schools and life-long learners.
As a cultural and community organization invested in quality, diversity and community, Goodman Theatre is committed to using the art of theater for a better Chicago. Goodman Theatre’s Action Plan for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-Racism and Access (IDEAA) was born out of the belief that progress means action, which includes building on the decades-long commitment to using art, assets and resources to contribute to a more just, equitable and anti-racist society.
Goodman Theatre was founded by William O. Goodman and his family in honor of their son Kenneth, an important figure in Chicago’s cultural renaissance in the early 1900s. The Goodman family’s legacy lives on through the continued work and dedication of Kenneth’s family, including Albert Ivar Goodman, who with his late mother, Edith-Marie Appleton, contributed the necessary funds for the creation on the new Goodman center in 2000.
Today, Goodman Theatre leadership also includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Rebecca Gilman, Dael Orlandersmith, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Kimberly Senior, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Jeff Hesse is Chairman of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Fran Del Boca is Women’s Board President and Megan McCarthy Hayes is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.
Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns
His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].
Follow RayHanania at Twitter
- Moderate Jewish Lobby J Street denounces Trump war on Iran - February 28, 2026
- Sean Casten Statement on US Military Action in Iran - February 28, 2026
- Phil Andrew: Attack on Iran Without Congressional Approval Risks American Lives - February 28, 2026
