Goodman Theatre’s cash cow still gives good milk. Now in its 28th incarnation, the show seems to get a bit darker every year, Scrooge’s reclamation a tad more conditional. But the diminished laughter is far from failure; indeed, distracted by fewer sight gags, the audience is freed to listen harder and feel more. As always, William Brown as Ebenezer strikes a shrewd balance, neither prematurely redeemed nor insufficiently rehabilitated. Director Kate Buckley doesn’t mess much with the formula other than to insert an irrelevant pickpocketing by Scrooge’s maid and to cram the geezer’s bedchamber with more marvels from the Ghost of Christmas Present. Through 12/26: see www.chicagoreader.com for complete schedule. 12/2-12/11: Wed 2 and 7:30 PM, Thu 7:30 PM, Fri 8 PM, Sat 2 and 8 PM, Sun 2 and 6:30 PM, Tue 12/6, noon, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, 312-443-3800, $20-$65.
