COD College Theater's Production Of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Comes To The MAC

College of DuPage (COD) College Theater presents Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," adapted by William J. Norris and directed by COD Professor of Theater, Amelia Barrett at the McAninch Arts Center, Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 23-25. In addition, a performance has been added for area school children, grades 2nd and up Monday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. Audience members arriving early to the Nov. 23-25 performances will be serenaded with Christmas songs by members of the cast, and Santa will be in the lobby following the matinee performances on Nov. 23 and 24, to chat and pose for photos.

A mean-spirited old man, a poor but optimistic clerk and three visiting ghosts join forces to take audiences on a magical journey and show the true meaning of the holiday season. This production with more than 50 cast members gleaned from more than a dozen Chicago area communities, is a 70-minute version of a heartwarming classic tale that is perfect for ages.

"Charles Dickens' classic ghost story is brought to life in Norris' wonderful adaptation," says director Barrett. "Our production, with beautiful period costumes and wonderful special effects, is sure to warm the heart as we follow Scrooge's transformation from a lonely soul with a cold and hardened heart into a man filled with the true joy of the holiday and appreciation of life's ever-present gift of the opportunity for change."

"A Christmas Carol," was the first of Dickens's very successful Christmas books. It was written during a time when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols and newer customs such as Christmas trees. It was published on Dec. 19, 1843 and the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By the end of 1844, 13 editions had been released. Since then, "A Christmas Carol" has never been out of print and the story has been translated into other languages and adapted many times for radio, film and stage.

The role of Ebenezer Scrooge will be played by Lombard's Nathan Dittemore, who performed the role of Bob Cratchit in COD Theater's 2016 staging. The Cratchit Family will feature North Aurora's Trevor

Frueh (Bob Cratchit), Warrenville's Nina Chezem (Mrs. Cratchit), Naperville's Felix Massengill (Tiny Tim Cratchit), Glen Ellyn's Gabbi Bertrand (Belinda Cratchit), Glen Ellyn's Grace Bertrand (Cora Cratchit), Elk Grove Village's Jack Knight (Peter Cratchit) and Glen Ellyn's Maddi Bestrand (Martha Cratchit).

Additional members of the cast include Westmont's Chandler Senstock (Fred), Carol Stream's Mia Figueroa (Fred's Wife), Carol Stream's Devin Walleck (Mr. Balthazar), Riverside's Tess Sundstrom (Mrs. Creakle), Naperville's Jack Harrington (Ghost of Jacob Marley), West Chicago's Lucy LaPlaca (Ghost of Christmas Past), Lisle's Ivan Gieschen (Scrooge as a Boy), Downers Groves' Rebecca Johnson (Ghost of Christmas Present), Naperville's Nathan Cozzi (Scrooge as a Young Man/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come), Brookfield's Christina Verges (Mrs. Fezziwig), Oswego's Philip Laricchia (Mr. Fezziwig), Naperville's Brendon Flaherty (Topper), Bloomingdale's Gina Danielle Robertelli (Belle), and Wheaton's Brandon Torres (Joe).

Ensemble members include Angela Bajek, Sasha Baumgarter, Mickey Cestone, Olivia Cernasuske, Jayden Ernas, Jordan Ernas, Joey Evans, Connor Gowans, Reece Hanas, Amy Infanger, Donnea Jackson, Sophie Kakkuri, Claire Kennedy, Elizabeth Khouri, Emilie Kroner, Samantha Moorhead, Tania Gillian Musso, Katherine Schleuter, Jocelyn Scurlock, Jenna Snart, Marlo Tallarico, Camryn Tallarico, Henry Tatarunas, Nancy Terdy, Sydney Thibodeaux, Kelly Twite, Gianna Wiegel, Lucas Wiegel and Mariella Wiegel.

The artistic/design team for "A Christmas Carol" includes Glen Ellyn's Amelia Barrett (director), Aurora's Michael W. Moon (scenic and properties design), Wheaton's Kimberly Morris (costume and makeup design), Glen Ellyn's Jon Gantt (lighting design), and Chicago's Christopher Kriz (sound design). Stage Manager is Belushi Second City Scholarship recipient and Carol Stream resident Kyle Krisch.

William J. Norris (adapter) has been a theater professional for more than 45 years. An Emmy, Joseph Jefferson, and five-time Artisan Awards winner, his playwriting credits include the dramas "Before I Wake", "Johns" and "Bloody Bess"; the opera "The Christmas Present" and musical "Fornicopia;" and the comedies "The Paisley Scar" and "Vienna Was Never So Gay." This adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" was written specifically for the students at College of DuPage.

College of DuPage College Theater presents Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," adapted by William J. Norris at the McAninch Arts Center, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn, Friday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 24 and Sunday, Nov. 25 at 3 and 7 p.m. A free pre-show discussion with the designers and director will be held in MAC 140 Friday, Nov. 23 from 5:45-6:15 p.m.; and a free post-show discussion with the director and actors will take place immediately following the Saturday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. performance. Tickets are $14 students/seniors and $16 for adults. To order or for more information call 630.942.4000 or visit AtTheMAC.org.

Tickets for the daytime performance on Monday, Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. are $8 and may be purchased by calling 630.942.2220 or emailing sarther@cod.edu.

Sharing the Spirit of the Season

Beginning Nov. 23 audience members are invited to bring one or two non-perishable food items to support the MAC's food drive for the People's Resource Center. The People's Resource Center food pantry serves more than 3,000 families from across DuPage County each month. For more information about the People's Resource Center visit peoplesrc.org.

This holiday season MAC is also once again is participating in a gift item collection for Metropolitan Family Services Nov. 23-Dec. 19. Families in DuPage are in particular need of winter accessories, sweatshirts and slippers. Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, Metropolitan Family Services provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to strengthen families and help them realize their full potential. For more information about Metropolitan Family Services, visit metrofamily.org/community-centers/dupage.

About the MAC

The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage is located 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (the 780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; the 236-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and the versatile black box Studio Theatre), the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, the Cleve Carney Art Gallery and classrooms for the college's academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.

The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. Visit AtTheMAC.org or facebook.com/AtTheMAC for more information.

Pictured: Lombard's Nathan Dittemore (Scrooge) and Naperville's Felix Massengill (Tiny Tim). Photo courtesy of the McAninch Arts Center.

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