Dec. 04--There will be a local celebrity cameo every night when Second City's "Twist your Dickens, or Scrooge You!" -- an interactive parody of "A Christmas Carol" -- kicks off its run Friday in Goodman Theatre's Owen Theatre. The show isn't announcing when each local celeb will appear or what their exact roles will be, but a Goodman spokesperson did reveal some of the names taking part.
Most notable of the bunch is Rick Bayless, chef and owner at Topolobampo, Frontera Grill and XOCO. The "Top Chef Masters" winner and star of PBS's "Mexico: One Plate at a Time" appeared in "Cascabel" during its run at the Lookingglass Theatre Co. in August, because sometimes being a ridiculously successful chef just isn't enough.
"Top Chef" winner Stephanie Izard, Cubs TV play-by-play man Len Kasper, legendary news anchor Bill Kurtis, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, B96 radio personality Michelle "Showbiz Shelly" Menaker and Tribune contributor Candace Jordan are also scheduled to participate.
"Twist Your Dickens" is written by former "The Colbert Report" writers Peter Gwinn and Bobby Mort and, according to the press release, "blends legitamate theater, parody sketch comedy and improvisation, including the integration of audience 'misdeeds' that are written in the lobby preceding the show." The show runs through Dec. 28.
"I have very little stage experience. Actually, none in the true sense of it," Kasper said by email Thursday. "My stage experience has come from introducing Cubs players on the yearly caravan and convention. I took a theater class at Marquette, but I can't remember many details other than me doing an Ernie Harwell reading of some kind. He was my broadcasting hero growing up.
"I was asked to do the show and thought it was a really fun idea. I like the idea of getting out of my comfort zone and this certainly qualifies. My simple hope is that I don't laugh and ruin the bit."
"Twist Your Dickens"
When: Friday-Sunday, Tuesday-Dec. 14, Dec. 16-23, Dec. 26-28
Where: Goodman Theatre's Owen Theatre; 170 N Dearborn Street
Tickets: $21-$61; goodmantheatre.org
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