CONTACT:
IMAGERY:
TWITTER:
Denise Schneider/Kiana Harris/Ramsey Carey
312.443.5151 or Press@GoodmanTheatre.org
PressRoom.GoodmanTheatre.org/PressArt
@GoodmanTheatre │#AChristmasCarolChi
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2015
GOODMAN THEATRE ANNOUNCES $25,000 CHALLENGE GRANT FROM THE WALTER FAMILY FOUNDATION TO SHARE A
CHRISTMAS CAROL WITH THOSE WORKING TO CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO
***CONTRIBUTIONS MATCHED 1-TO-1 ENABLE ANTI-VIOLENCE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TO ATTEND
ON NOVEMBER 14 “SHARE THE JOY DAY” AND SELECT PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE RUN***
(Chicago, IL) Goodman Theatre gratefully announces a $25,000 matching challenge grant from the Walter Family
Foundation to “share the joy” of A Christmas Carol with individuals and organizations working to make safer
neighborhoods in Chicago. New and increased donations of any amount will be matched dollar for dollar until the goal
is reached. Beneficiary individuals and organizations will attend the “Share the Joy Day” performance on November 14
at 6:30pm; in addition, they will use reserved seats at selected performances throughout the run made possible
through the Walter Family Foundation. Contributions can be made via GoodmanTheatre.org/ShareTheJoy, by calling
312.443.3811 ext. 566, or by mailing Goodman Theatre, ATTN: Share the Joy, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60601.
“We deeply appreciate the generosity of the Walter Family Foundation to help us honor these anti-violence veterans,”
said Willa Taylor, Walter Director of Education and Engagement and a U.S. Navy veteran. “When we announced our
Alice B. Rapoport Center for Education and Engagement earlier this year, we shared our intention to expand our
physical capacity to work with community partners. Beyond bricks and mortar, this expansion is about amplifying
partnerships—like ‘Share the Joy Day.’ On this day, we host military families and first responders at A Christmas Carol
to thank those who put their safety on the line to protect ours. But we recognize that not all front lines are on the
battlefield, and not all who work to keep the peace are uniformed. So beginning this season, we extend the definition
of ‘first responders’ to include community groups and organizations who are working against the violence that plagues
our city.”
On behalf of the Walter Family Foundation, Goodman Trustee Kimbra Walter said, “The challenges our city and its
citizens face in creating safe neighborhoods for all are vast and complex—and the community organizations working
with those who have been impacted by the harsh realities of violence (and the organizations working to create safer
communities) are inspiring. One way we can express gratitude and goodwill to these committed individuals is by
providing tickets to these individuals to attend an uplifting Chicago holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol at Goodman
Theatre. A Christmas Carol has been a source of delight, hope and joy for generations of theatergoers—including my
family. In the spirit of giving, we hope audiences will join the ‘Share the Joy Challenge’ in order that others can
experience the message of this production during the holiday season.”
More than 1.2 million people have experienced A Christmas Carol at Goodman Theatre—a Chicago holiday tradition
since 1978 and a pioneer in inclusive casting. The production has also served as the entry point to theater for
generations of young people; those who attended in their youth now attend with their children and grandchildren.
Helmed by three-time director Henry Wishcamper, the cast of 25 is led by Larry Yando in his eighth turn as Ebenezer
Scrooge and Nathaniel Buescher as Tiny Tim for the second year. A Christmas Carol runs November 14 – December
27 in the Goodman’s Albert Theatre. Tickets ($25 - $102; subject to change) are available online at
GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). Fifth Third Bank is the
Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor, Aon and KPMG LLP are the Corporate Sponsor
Partners for A Christmas Carol. Past production photos can be found in the Goodman’s Press Room.
About Goodman Theatre
-continued-
Goodman Theatre Announces a $25,000 Matching Challenge Grant from the Walter Family Foundation
Contributions Enable Beneficiary Individuals and Groups to Experience A Christmas Carol Free of Charge
Page 2 of 3
Called America’s “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine, Goodman Theatre has won international recognition for
its artists, productions and programs, and is a major cultural, educational and economic pillar in Chicago. Founded in
1925 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), Goodman Theatre has garnered hundreds of awards for artistic achievement and
community engagement, including: two Pulitzer Prizes, 22 Tony Awards (including “Outstanding Regional Theatre” in
1992), nearly 160 Joseph Jefferson Awards and more. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls and
Executive Director Roche Schulfer, the Goodman’s artistic priorities include new plays (more than 150 world or
American premieres in the past 30 years), reimagined classics (including Falls’ nationally and internationally
celebrated productions of Death of a Salesman, Long’s Day’s Journey into Night, King Lear and The Iceman Cometh,
many in collaboration with actor Brian Dennehy), culturally specific work, musical theater (26 major productions in 20
years, including 10 world premieres) and international collaborations. Diversity and inclusion have been primary
cornerstones of the Goodman’s mission for 30 years; over the past decade, 68% of the Goodman’s 35 world
premieres were authored by women and/or playwrights of color, and the Goodman was the first theater in the world to
produce all 10 plays in August Wilson’s “American Century Cycle.” Each year the Goodman’s numerous education and
community engagement programs—including the innovative Student Subscription Series, now in its 30th year—serve
thousands of students, teachers, life-long learners and special constituencies. In addition, for nearly four decades the
annual holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol has led to the creation of a new generation of theatergoers in Chicago.
Goodman Theatre’s leadership includes the distinguished members of the Artistic Collective: Brian Dennehy, Rebecca
Gilman, Henry Godinez, Steve Scott, Chuck Smith, Regina Taylor, Henry Wishcamper and Mary Zimmerman. Joan
Clifford is Chair of Goodman Theatre’s Board of Trustees, Swati Mehta is Women’s Board President and Gordon C.C.
Liao is President of the Scenemakers Board for young professionals.
Goodman Theatre’s 2015/2016 Season (September 2015 – August 2016)
PRODUCTIONS IN THE 856-SEAT “ALBERT IVAR GOODMAN THEATRE”
Disgraced
By Ayad Akhtar, Directed by Kimberly Senior
September 12 – October 25, 2015 (Closed)
A Christmas Carol (38th Annual)
Adapted by Tom Creamer, Directed by Henry Wishcamper
November 14 – December 27, 2015 (Press/Opening Night: Sunday, November 22 at 6:30pm)
Another Word for Beauty
A World Premiere Commission by José Rivera, Directed by Steve Cosson, Music by Héctor Buitrago
January 16 – February 21, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Monday, January 25 at 7pm)
The Matchmaker
By Thornton Wilder, Directed by Henry Wishcamper
March 5 – April 10, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Monday, March 14 at 7pm)
The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window
By Lorraine Hansberry, Directed by Anne Kauffman
April 30 – June 5, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Monday, May 9 at 7pm)
Wonderful Town
Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green,
Book by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, Directed by Mary Zimmerman
June 25 – August 7, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Monday, July 11 at 7pm)
Goodman Theatre Announces a $25,000 Matching Challenge Grant from the Walter Family Foundation
Contributions Enable Beneficiary Individuals and Groups to Experience A Christmas Carol Free of Charge
Page 3 of 3
PRODUCTIONS IN THE 350-SEAT FLEXIBLE “OWEN BRUNER GOODMAN THEATRE”
Feathers and Teeth
By Charise Castro Smith, Directed by Henry Godinez
September 19 – October 18, 2015 (Closed)
New Stages Festival (12th annual)
Development Productions appearing in repertory October 28 – November 15:
Mother Road by Octavio Solis, Directed by Juliette Carrillo
Objects in the Mirror by Charles Smith, Directed by Chuck Smith
King of the Yees by Lauren Yee, Directed by Joshua Brody
Staged Readings appearing during “Industry Weekend,” November 13 - 15:
Lady in Denmark by Dael Orlandersmith, Directed by Chay Yew
The Amateurs by Jordan Harrison, Directed by Oliver Butler
Rödvinsvänster (Red-Wine Leftists) by Rebecca Gilman, Directed by Wendy C. Goldberg
On the Exhale by Martin Zimmerman, Directed by Marti Lyons
The Second City’s Twist Your Dickens
By Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort, Directed by Matt Hovde
December 4 – 27, 2015 (Press/Opening Night: Thursday, December 10 at 7:30pm)
2666
By Roberto Bolaño, Co-Adapted and Co-Directed by Robert Falls and Seth Bockley
February 6 – March 13, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Tuesday, February 16)
Carlyle
By Thomas Bradshaw, Directed by Benjamin Kamine
April 2 – May 1, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Monday, April 11 at 7pm)
Soups, Stews, and Casseroles: 1976
By Rebecca Gilman, Directed by Robert Falls
May 21 – June 19, 2016 (Press/Opening Night: Tuesday, May 31 at 7pm)
Albany Park Theater Project
July 2016 – Play and Dates TBA
Visit the Goodman virtually at GoodmanTheatre.org—including OnStage+ for insider information—and on Twitter
(@GoodmanTheatre), Facebook and Instagram.
— 30 —