Getting Started!

Posted by Mackenzie Wilkin (Belinda Cratchit/Fan)

Hi, my name is Mackenzie Wilkin and I play Belinda Cratchit and Fan in A Christmas Carol. I am nine years old and in the fourth grade.

Before I was in A Christmas Carol at the Goodman, I did lots of shows at my community theater. I was in Peter Pan, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music and Broadway Bound. I love to sing, play the piano and read.

I was inspired to audition for A Christmas Carol because my mom and dad have taken me to lots of shows in Chicago. I thought that it would be really cool to be on the Goodman’s big stage with so many people watching you, so I asked my mom about it. She found the audition for A Christmas Carol online, so I auditioned!

For my first audition I had to prepare a one-minute monologue and sing a Christmas song. I must have done well because I got a “callback,” which meant they wanted to see me again!

For the second audition I had to prepare two pages of the script. I practiced it over and over again with my eight-year-old brother Jack. I had a lot of fun at the audition because I really got to act out the scene.

I'm really excited about being in the cast, and I can’t wait until the performances start!

See you soon,
Mackenzie

An AWESOME First Rehearsal

Posted by John Babbo (Tiny Tim)

Hi, my name is John Babbo, and I am so excited to play the role of Tiny Tim this year in A Christmas Carol! I just turned nine and I am in third grade. In my free time, I really enjoy playing soccer, piano and violin. I had to miss my last three soccer games of the season, but it was totally worth it because I like acting better. (Just kidding, soccer friends!)

The first rehearsal was AWESOME! I met all the cast members and crew and they are really kind! We did a read-through of the script and I could already tell that I was going to have a lot of fun. I thought, Wow, these actors are so talented! They spoke with great British accents and were really in character. After my first rehearsal, I was thrilled and tired—and couldn’t wait to go back the next day!

The rehearsals are so much fun. My favorite scene to rehearse is the Fezziwig scene. This scene is a Christmas Eve party at Fezziwigs’ house when Scrooge was a young man. Scrooge was apprenticed to Fezziwig. I really enjoy this scene because there is so much energy—we dance and dance. Last time, we danced so hard that another cast member, my “mom” in the play, accidentally (or so she says) whacked me in the eye. I have been a good boy ever since...

See you soon!
John

Go Behind the Scenes with the Cast of A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ timeless story of magic and redemption has been a holiday tradition at the Goodman for more than 30 years! Go behind the scenes with the cast of A Christmas Carol, and discover “the best show to get at...the true meaning of Christmas” (SouthtownStar).

We welcome you to join the conversation. Feel free to respond to our artists—or post your own thoughts about A Christmas Carol.

We'll see you at the theater!

Why High Holidays?

Posted by Artistic Director Robert Falls

I have been a fan of Alan Gross’ work since my early days in the Chicago theater. In the late 1970s he established himself as one of our city’s truly original voices with such plays as Lunching and The Man in 605, using his mordant wit and expansive humanity to examine in loving, sometimes savage detail the vagaries of human relationships. Although he continued writing plays for both the stage and screen, he has also explored other literary forms, where his finely observed musings on human actions and emotions have brought him particular success,
not surprisingly, in the world of poetry.

When Alan returned from a stint in Hollywood several years ago, I encouraged him to write what would eventually become High Holidays. I think it is his best work to date, containing both the subversive humor and passionate characterizations that distinguished his earlier plays, but with a newly forged maturity and command. Drawing from memories of his Chicago boyhood, Alan has captured the tensions, the celebrations and the uncertainties that are familiar to all of us. He examines the complexities of the relationships—between husband and wife, parent and son, brother and brother—that are echoed in every family. In his own words, Alan notes that “what emerged was a story about growing up—all of its joys, challenges and disappointments—and ultimately, what it takes to become a man.”

The distinctive humor and humanity of Alan Gross have been missing from our stages for far too long. It is a great pleasure to welcome him back.

-Robert Falls

We’d love to know what you thought about High Holidays! Please share your comments about the play with us, below!

Opening Night: A Series of Haiku Memories

By Molly Brennan

Joey Slotnick played
Frank Sinatra rendition:
No Business Like Show

Did anybody see
That handsome hatted fella
SM Intern Phil?

Jonathan Brody
Gave me a generous gift:
Tissue wrapped tissue

Ride thundering steeds
To hilarity's battle:
Paul, Scott and Christy

Watching from the wings
Mara and Tony rip it
Bam Clickety Slam

Thanks to the Prop Gods
From Molly playing Harpo:
A Farting Ladder

Charming Edward Kross
If your adoring fans knew
What a cad you are! :0)

Captivated, all
Your resounding tones and steps
O, Stanley Mathis!

Steve Scott. Santa Claus.
Have you ever seen the two
Inhabit one room?

Ora Jones down stairs:
Applause shatters Monday Night
Lady is a star

Never have I known
Such strong, quiet, smiling strength:
Thanks Old Joe Drummond

If Jessie Muehler
Ain't on Broadway in a year
Someone's going down

The real show happens
Back in the wings, Magicians
Make us look splendid

We missed you Bob Falls!
But we read your kind letter
Thank you for the ducks!

Work that chewing gum
Lift us on that tide of tune
Immortal Doug Peck

Henry Wishcamper
We'd follow you anywhere
We're at your house now.

Hey, Alden Vasquez!
You like Scrooge more than Groucho?
In your absence, tears.

At Petterino's
Spinning, funny, delightful
Servers make our night!

Chicago Stage Scene:
You were mostly all there, friends!
THANK YOU for your LOVE!!

Animal Crackers
Will all be on insulin:
Green Room of Dessert.

Katie and Kelly
Hit on by Europeans
At the after bash

As I remember
Exactly what did transpire
I'll update this post

Music and Comedy

Posted by Doug Peck (Animal Crackers Music Director)

Hello from Doug Peck, music director of Animal Crackers.

As we enter our fourth week of rehearsal, I have the privilege to accompany this virtuosic company as we drill comedy routines, stage dances and perfect everything from miming harp playing to working with bullwhips. Running between the two rehearsal rooms with these amazing nine actors feels like rehearsing a variety show!

The music in this piece functions differently than the music in a lot of my traditional theater work. Marrying the comedic moment onstage to the right underscoring, when appropriate, is a constant effort. And we are constantly discovering the charm of the music from the 1920s, which could be considered “naive.” The word "naive" often has a judgmental connotation, but it needn’t. As post-Hammerstein, post- Sondheim artists we are always striving for more in terms of storytelling and emotional events, but the songs in this production don't require that. They do, however, require exquisite vocalism, charm and grace—as well as killer arrangements.

Many of these gorgeous songs have fallen out of popularity, and I think the audience will be delighted to discover them. You will be surprised at just how much music is in the show, since the Marx Brothers’ movies tend to have long gaps between musical sequences. It is a complete joy to work with (director) Henry Wishcamper and the team on how best to adapt a film comedy into a stage musical without losing a drop of the fun.

We look forward to sharing Animal Crackers with the Goodman audiences, since comedy and music aren't complete without you!

See you at the theater,
Doug

We Want to Hear from YOU!

Share your favorite Marx Brothers moment. The cast and crew of the Goodman’s laugh-out-loud musical comedy Animal Crackers share their own stories and want to YOU to join the conversation:

Joey Slotnick (Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding):

“I first saw the Marx Bros when I was in junior high school. My dad turned me onto them, and when Woody Allen referenced them I knew I was onto something. They are just plain funny—and complete anarchists! I'd have to say my favorite Marx Brothers’ movie is Duck Soup. It's the one I've seen the most times. But I also love Horse Feathers. Groucho has such an excellent song-and-dance number with all of the professors of the college watching him.”

Molly Brennan (The Professor):

“Gloria and Mike Stivic dressed as Harpo and Groucho for Halloween on All in the Family, and I thought Gloria was so funny. It was only when the VCR was invented that I saw Horsefeathers and Duck Soup, then I watched Day at the Races and Animal Crackers when I started working with 500 Clown. Now I’m playing The Professor in Animal Crackers—the part originally performed by Harpo Marx!”

Paul Kalina (Clowning Director):

“I grew up on the Marx Brothers. While I didn’t necessarily get the jokes, I heard my parents laugh at them, so I would laugh. That’s how I began to understand rhythm and comic timing and verbal repartee.”

We want to know all about YOUR favorite Marx Brothers moment! Post a comment below to share your story.