A CHRISTMAS CAROL Breaks Sales Records At Merrimack Repertory Theatre

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) announced today that their production of A Christmas Carol, the third show of their 2017-18 Season, has become the best-selling show in the theatre's history. The previous record holder was It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, which notably also featured cast member Joel Colodner and director Megan Sandberg-Zakian.

Artistic Director Sean Daniels said, "We're so thrilled that our audiences have embraced this remarkable and unique production of A Christmas Carol. I unabashedly love holiday shows, and A Christmas Carol is one of my favorite stories - its questions of what our responsibility is to our fellow man are still so relevant, and it's incredibly gratifying to see our patrons respond. Clearly we should have Joel and Megan back every year as our holiday show dynamic duo!"

The uniquely intimate production features Colodner as Charles Dickens playing the part of his many beloved characters, and critics have praised both his performance and the weaving of live, period-appropriate carols into the production.

Performances of A Christmas Carol continue through December 24, 2017. The 2-hour show is performed with one intermission. All performances will be held at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $26 - $73 and are on sale now at www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

More information is at www.mrt.org/carol.

A Christmas Carol was originally written by Charles Dickens in 1843 and stands as one of the most beloved and well-known Christmas stories today. The play tells the story of wealthy miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by a series of ghosts on Christmas Eve that take him through the past, present, and potential future of his life. By the end, Scrooge's view of the world, his community, and himself is left profoundly and permanently changed.

A Christmas Carol has had countless adaptations for virtually every medium, including stage, television, film, opera, and radio. Tony Brown's adaptation draws on the tradition of Charles Dickens's public readings of the novella, which he performed aloud over one hundred times between 1852 and 1870 (the year of his death).

This production features Joel Colodner as Charles Dickens performing his work, as well as live musicians performing the traditional carols of the time.

The cast is led by Joel Colodner, seen previously at MRT in It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Going to See the Kid, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Mrs. Whitney. Colodner's credits span Broadway, Off-Broadway, film, and television.

The cast also features Rebecca White (Musician).

The creative team headed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian, Director, includes Nathan Leigh (Sound and Music Direction), Randall Parsons (Sets), Miranda Kau Giurleo (Costumes), and Devorah Kengmana (Lighting).

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) has been Merrimack Valley's professional theatre company since 1979 and is an integral part of Lowell's identity as the cultural heart of the region. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Sean Daniels and Executive Director Bonnie J. Butkas, MRT produces vibrant, contemporary plays that explore what it means to be alive today. A seven-show season runs from September through May in the intimate 279-seat Nancy L. Donahue Theatre. The company is known as a leader in producing new plays, especially world and regional premieres. MRT is one of 72 theatres nationwide (one of three in Massachusetts) with membership in LORT (the League of Resident Theatres).

Photo Credit: Meghan Moore

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