Douglas Sills Stars in MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS Benefit Tonight for The Actors Fund

MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL, benefitting the The Actors Fund, is a one-night-only event held tonight, December 15, 2014 at 7:30 pm at The Gerald W. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street).

Klea Blackhurst (Radio Gals), Janet Dacal (Wonderland, In the Heights) and Tony Award nominee Tony Sheldon (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) have joined the star studded cast that features Tony Award nominee Douglas Sills (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Little Shop of Horrors) in the title role.

As previously announced, the concert event will also feature two-time Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry (Violet), Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Erik Altemus (Pippin) as well as Tony Award nominee Jeff Blumenkrantz (A Class Act), John Bolton (A Christmas Story), Jennifer Cody (Shrek), Don Darryl Rivera (Aladdin), Matthew Scott (Sondheim on Sondheim), two-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber (Matilda the Musical) and Betsy Wolfe (Bullets Over Broadway).

Additional cast members include Wendi Bergamini, Chloe Campbell, Akash Chopra, Lindsay Janisse, Roddy Kennedy, Elizabeth Ward Land, Oona Laurence, Greg Kamp, Brandon Leffler, Caleb McLaughlin, Dustienne Miller, Jen Noble, Frederic Odgaard, Kevin Santos, Kirsten Scott, Bret Shuford, Kendal Sparks, Eli Tokash, Alexandra Underwood, Zachary Unger, Jessica Vosk and Thom Christopher Warren.

Casting is by Tara Rubin Casting/Eric Woodall, CSA.

MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL is directed by Carl Andress (The Tribute Artist, Die Mommie Die) with musical direction by Grammy and Emmy Award winner John McDaniel and choreography by Marcos Santana. Peter Flynn, who was originally announced to direct, has withdrawn from the production due to scheduling conflicts.

The production features sets by Paul Weimer, costumes by Carol Sherry, lighting design by Tony Award winner Jeff Croiter, sound design by Patrick Weaver, and projections by Shawn Duan. The Associate Music Director is Nate Patten and Jason A. Quinn is the Production Stage Manager.

Based on the classic story by Charles Dickens, MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL features an unforgettable score by Funny Girl's songwriting team, composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill. Additional lyrics are by Sam Willmott. The original orchestrations are by Walter Scharf with additional orchestrations by John McDaniel. The original teleplay was by Barbara Steel. The concert adaptation is by Tim Pinckney (Ever So Humble, still at risk).

Proceeds from the evening will benefit the programs and services of The Actors Fund, the national human services organization that helps everyone in performing arts and entertainment.

MR. MAGOO'S CHRISTMAS CAROL used by permission from Classic Media, LLC. and is being presented through the generosity of Dreamworks Animation and Margaret Styne, with special thanks to the estates of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and Joseph Weiss.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Daniel