Cincinnati Playhouse Celebrates 20 Years of Holiday Favorite A Christmas Carol

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will celebrate 20 years of a favorite holiday tradition as KeyBank presents Charles Dickens' classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This faithful adaptation will kick-off the Tristate holiday season in The Playhouse's Robert S. Marx Theatre beginning December 2 and continuing through December 30.

First written in 1843, A CHRISTMAS CAROL was an instant success that sold 10,000 copies in just 10 days in its initial printing and often is credited with reinvigorating our modern holiday celebration. The book became the author's most popular work, translated into nearly every language and inspiring hundreds of television, film and stage adaptations.

Adapted by Howard Dallin, The Playhouse's version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL combines faithful storytelling with spellbinding stage magic to bring to life its familiar story of a sinner given one last chance at redemption by four persuasive ghosts. Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a miraculous Christmas Eve transformation as he views with new eyes his past, present and the possibilities of the future. As he witnesses all those who have improved his life - his first love Belle, his kindhearted employer Fezziwig, his nephew Fred and his heartily abused clerk Bob Cratchit - he realizes that it's never too late to change his miserly ways. A CHRISTMAS CAROL's heartwarming message, along with hundreds of costumes and thrilling special effects, helps to make the show one of The Playhouse's most Popular Productions each year.

This year's cast is comprised largely of returning actors. Local favorite Bruce Cromer will be humbugging as Ebenezer Scrooge for the sixth year. Also returning are Dale Hodges as the Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs. Peake, Keith Jochim as Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present, Todd Lawson as Young and Mature Scrooge, Gregory Procaccino as Jacob Marley/Old Joe, Andy Prosky as Bob Cratchit, Regina Pugh as Mrs. Cratchit, Sabrina Veroczi as Belle/Catherine Margaret and Amy Warner as Mrs. Fezziwig/Patience. Lelund Durond plays Mr. Sosser/Topper, Nick Rose plays Mr. Cupp/Percy and Keith Merrill is Fred.

Playing carolers and party guests are Mark St. Cyr, Mariana Fernández, Matthew David Gellin, Rae Dohar, Kevin-Michael Chu, Colin Gold, Marie Pope and Anne Marie Damman.

Nine area children also appear in

A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Returning are Julianne Fox as Martha Cratchit and Owen Gunderman as Tiny Tim. Other children include Noah Lentini as Boy Scrooge/Guest at Fezziwig's, Isabella Siska as Fan/Guest at Fezziwig's/Streets, Christopher Marc Wells as Peter Cratchit/Gregory/Apprentice at Fezziwig's, Allison Edwards as Belinda Cratchit/Guest at Fezziwig's/Streets, Riley Nattermann as Ignorance/Matthew/Rich Son at Fezziwig's, N'doumbe Ngom as Want/Guest at Fezziwig's/Streets and Javier Gresham as George/Charles/Apprentice at Fezziwig's/Streets.

Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney, who's been associated with

A CHRISTMAS CAROL since its first year (including two as the first Bob Cratchit), directs the show for the 18th time. Stephen Skiles is assistant director.

The design team includes James Leonard Joy (sets), David Murin (costumes), Kirk Bookman (lighting) and David B. Smith (sound). Dee Anne Bryll is the choreographer, and Rebecca N. Childs is the music director. The Stage Manager is Andrea L. Shell. Second Stage Manager is Jenifer Morrow.

All show times are at 2 p.m. for matinees and 7 p.m. for evening shows to accommodate families with children. Please note the earlier curtain time. There are no performances on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day.

Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are on sale now. Prices range from $25-$68, depending on day and seat location. Tickets are $25 (B, C or D seating) for the preview performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 2. Tickets for children ages 5 to 12 are $20 (children under 5 not admitted) and teens ages 13 to 19 are $30 (B, C or D seating). The official opening night is Friday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m.

For tickets to A CHRISTMAS CAROL or for more information, call The Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208) or visit www.cincyplay.com. A special A Christmas Carol website at

www.achristmascarol.cincyplay.com includes games, recipes, videos and much more.

For the 15th year, The Playhouse will partner with Hoxworth Blood Center for a blood drive on Saturday, November 20 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Blood donors who attend the special event will receive buy-one-get-one free vouchers good for select performances of A CHRISTMAS CAROL and OVER THE TAVERN. Spaces fill up quickly, so call early for an appointment. Appointments can be made by registering online at www.hoxworth.org/groups/playhouse. Questions can be directed to Hoxworth at 513/451-0910.

At any time between now and December 30, audience members can bring a new, unwrapped toy (appropriate for children up to age 13 and minimum $10 retail value) to The Playhouse and place it in the Toys for Tots barrel by the box office. The Marines will not accept used or second-hand toys or toys that have been removed from their original packaging. Similarly, plush or stuffed dolls that are not sold in a box or carton cannot be distributed. The Toys for Tots Foundation was created to help needy and underprivileged children experience the joys of Christmas. All toys donated after December 14 will be used for Christmas 2011.

This year, people can join the 20th Anniversary celebration by adopting their favorite

A Christmas Carol character and supporting The Playhouse at the same time. For only a $10 donation, audience members will receive an exclusive, limited-edition button to wear at the theatre and around town. To adopt a character, call The Playhouse Box Office at 513/421-3888 or visit www.cincyplay.com

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to ArtsWave.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund The Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.

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