Broadway Vet James Ludwig to Star in A CHRISTMAS CAROL at NewArts

NewArts, a nonprofit organization based in Newtown, CT, is producing its first winter production - Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - in partnership with Walnut Hill Community Church.

The production features more than 120 local performers and stage technicians of all ages as a continuation of NewArts' mission to provide programs that focus on personal character development thorough exploration in the arts.

NewArts was founded by Newtown parent, Michael Baroody, M.D., in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy. NewArts, the theatrical division of the 12.14 Foundation, collaborates with a team of nearly 20 theatre professionals, including Broadway­level directors, choreographers, music directors, designers, producers, and technicians, to guide the children in this endeavor of commitment, creativity and community. NewArts was recently featured in the documentary film, Midsummer in Newtown, which was selected for the prestigious Spotlight Section of the Tribeca Film Festival.

A Christmas Carol stars Broadway's James Ludwig (Spamalot, Little Shop of Horrors, John and Jen) as Ebenezer Scrooge. It is directed and produced by Michael Unger, who also directed this production at The McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ, for 16 years before introducing it to the Newtown area. Dr. Baroody is the Executive Producer and Rev. Timothy Huber is the Pastor of Worship & the Arts for Walnut Hill Community Church, the venue for the production (156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801).

Performances are scheduled for December 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 21st and 22nd at 7PM and December 11th and 18th at 3PM.) Ticket prices range from $12 (for children 12 and under) to $26. For more information, visit www.newarts.org.

The sets and costumes for this production come from the award­winning McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ where it played for sixteen years. The script was adapted by David Thompson (Scottsboro Boys, Steel Pier, Prince of Broadway) and the production team includes six Tony Award­winners. A Christmas Carol has choreography by Rob Ashford (Thoroughly Modern Millie, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Promises, Promises) and music and lyrics by Michael Starobin (Tony Award­winning orchestrator). Sets are by the legendary Ming Cho Lee (The Glass Menagerie, K2, The Grand Tour), costumes are by Jess Goldstein (On the Town, Newsies, The Apple Tree), sound is by Brian Ronan (Cabaret, Beautiful, The Book of

Mormon) and lighting and production management is by G. Benjamin Swope (LiberTy Smith, and School of Rock with NewArts). Original lighting design at the McCarter was by Stephen Strawbridge.

Adapting the production for NewArts/Walnut Hill are Jennifer Paulson Lee (choreography), Brian Prather (sets), Patty Hibbert (costumes) and John Emmett O'Brien (sound). Samantha Flint is the Production Stage Manager, Laura O'Donoghue is the Stage Manager, Rob Holland is the Company Administrator and Jon Curns is the Technical Director.

NEWARTS, the theatrical production entity of the 12.14 Foundation, is a non­profit organization formed by a local parent following the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 to encourage personal development through high­level performing arts programs. The Foundation provides experiences that produce a long­lasting, positive affect on the way children see themselves and the world around them. NewArts also provides character development through its ARC Program - "Aspire, Reach, Confidence" ­ an effective model for teaching children life skills developed in collaboration with members of the Yale School of Management and Inspire Corps. The program provides opportunities for participating children to cognitively understand their experiences during the rehearsal and performance process and then translate those skills to everyday life. NewArts has produced seven critically­acclaimed, large­scale musicals over the past three years, involving hundreds of local participants.

"The participating children will be entertaining the community with a Broadway­quality performance, but more important, throughout the rehearsal process, they are learning how to overcome obstacles, work as a team and realize the best versions of themselves." Michael Baroody, MD, Founder of NewArts and the 12.14 Foundation

"NewArts has been so special for our son. The program helped him grow from a kid who almost couldn't muster the courage to even audition the first two years to playing keyboard in a rock band on stage! NewArts has helped him build confidence, resiliency and a sense of belonging that applies to all he does in life: cross­country, math, or anything else. The program has impacted and inspired our whole family. Our daughter has found a wonderful creative outlet backstage helping with costumes. As parents we are so inspired to be actively engaged in a program that is so meaningful to so many in the community. We love how NewArts fosters a caring environment where everyone encourages each other and helps each person overcome adversity and achieve their very best." - Jane and Rich Hunter - parents of NewArts performer, 11 year old Jimmy Hunter

"Newarts and Walnut Hill Community Church were each found on a passion to make a positive impact on community. By combining our efforts we are better able to serve our community. We are stronger when we work together." - Raiza Arnone, Member of Walnut Hill Community Church

There are numerous stories of how the program is impacting the Newtown area children. One powerful example follows:

Nicole Kolitsas, age 13, played Sophie in School of Rock, Puck in A ROCKIN' Midsummer Night's Dream, Jojo in Seussical and Zazu in The Lion King, Jr. She recently blogged about her experience saying, "After the Newtown tragedy, I lived a life ruled by Fear. I didn't want to go to school; really I didn't want to go anywhere.... My mother had worked at Sandy Hook Elementary at the time and I didn't want her to go to work, afraid that it wasn't over... My fear tightened its grip when my mother and father were both diagnosed with cancer only months after the tragedy. I went to therapy session after therapy session, but I was too well acquainted with this cruel world that we lived in to go back to being myself. I came out of Seussical [NewArts' first production in the Summer of 2013] as a new person, a person that grows every summer. I still get scared. Fear still whispers in my ear and grabs my hand. But I now have the skills to tell Fear that I'm okay, and that I can handle whatever comes my way. Because of NewArts, I can do anything. I can perform in front of thousands of people, I can solve my own problems, I can evaluate myself and find my strengths, and I can tell Fear goodbye."

For more information, donations and tickets, visit www.newarts.org.

WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH WALNUT HILL COMMUNITY CHURCH is Connecticut's largest multi­campus nondenominational Christian church, with nearly 4,000 people calling it their church home. Walnut Hill is one church with many congregations, with campuses in Bethel, Derby, New Milford, Seymour and Waterbury. Each campus location is committed to active involvement in the community, seeing the church family seeking God together, caring for one another, serving together and reaching out to our communities.

For more information, visit www.walnuthillcc.org.

Michael Baroody, Founder and Executive Producer of the 12.14 Foundation and NewArts, is a plastic surgeon living in Newtown, CT, with his wife and two young daughters. "The Foundation's vision was born from a need to not only heal, but to enrich and strengthen the lives of those affected by the events of 12/14. We instill life skills through an innovative combination of character development and high­level performing arts projects. We continue to provide our children, our community and eventually people throughout the world with powerful tools upon which to build successful lives."

Michael Unger, NewArts Producing Artistic Director, has directed seven musicals for NewArts over the past four years. He is also the Associate Artistic Director of Off Broadway's York Theatre Company in New York City where he just directed You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He first became acquainted with the resilient community of Newton, CT when he directed the concert From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert For Sandy Hook. Other directing credits include A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre - 1998­2015), Two Point Oh (Off­ Broadway - NY Times Critics Pick - 59 E 59th), The Happy Time, The Rink, My Sister in this House, Grease, Crimes of the Heart, Pippin and a dozen operas, one of which is about to be released on DVD. World premieres include: Caligula, A ROCKIN' Midsummer Night's Dream, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Retribution (Off­Broadway). www.ungerdirect.com

James Ludwig, Ebenezer Scrooge Recent credits include: Broadway-Spamalot (Original Cast), Little Shop of Horrors. Off Broadway-On The Rails, Two Point Oh, Blue Man Group, Bubbly Black Girl... (Playwrights Horizons), De La Guarda, and john & jen (Original Cast). Tours include -Spamalot (Las Vegas) and 101 Dalmatians (1st Nat'l). Regionally, James has worked nationwide, at W.H.A.T., Baltimore CenterStage, George Street Playhouse, Arena Stage, McCarter Theatre and Theatre Aspen to name just a few. Film/TV-Daylight Raiders, News to Me, Lipstick Jungle, Chappelle's Show, Ghost Town. He holds a BA from the University of Michigan, an MFA from the University of Washington PATP, and is a proud Actors' Equity Member.

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