Emily Scott Banks to Lead JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL at Stage West

"Scrooge? I have to redeem old Scrooge? The one man I knew who was worse than I was? Impossible!"

That's Jacob Marley's reaction when he finds out what he has to accomplish, in Tom Mula's amazing one-actor piece JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL, beginning its 4-week run in The Studio at Stage West on Friday, November 27.

We're all familiar with Jacob Marley's nocturnal visit to his former business partner, Ebenezer Scrooge. But how did it come about? This piece takes audiences along for Marley's amazing (and often hilarious) journey to the Mouth of Hell-and beyond! After his death, Marley learns of the chains he is doomed to wear for all eternity-unless he can manage to bring about a change of heart in Scrooge. But how? With the questionable aid of a hell-sprite called The Bogle, Marley concocts a desperate plan. And if it works, Marley may not only redeem Scrooge, but himself as well. This "behind the scenes" look at a much-loved story provides a tour-de-force for a single actor, and a fun holiday treat for audiences.

JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL played for two seasons at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, receiving four Joseph Jefferson Award nominations, and the Goodman School of Drama's Cunningham Prize for Playwriting. The play has since been performed to rave reviews and standing ovations in theatres such as Cincinnati Shakespeare, American Stage Festival, Delaware Rep, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Stages Repertory in Houston, North Coast Rep, Third Avenue Playhouse, Sage Theatre Group, and the 1894 Opera House. For seven seasons, it has also been broadcast nationally on NPR.

Tom Mula has been an award-winning playwright, actor, and director for more than twenty-five years. He received two Joseph Jefferson Awards for his play Golem at the National Jewish Theatre and for his work on Nicole Hollander's hit musical, Sylvia's Real Good Advice. His novel of "JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL" was published by Adams Media; it became a best-seller. The audio version received an INDI Award for Spoken Word. Mr. Mula teaches at Columbia College as an Artist-in-Residence.

JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL is being directed by Stage West's Garret Storms, who just appeared in Bad Jews, and directed our season closer, Mr. Burns, a post-electric play. It will star local favorite Emily Scott Banks, whose acting credits include Mary Surrat in Booth (Second Thought Theater), Madge in The Game's Afoot! or Holmes for the Holidays, and Gabriella in Boeing Boeing (both WaterTower Theatre), as well as having directed Stage West's production of The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence and Theatre Three's recent Fix Me Jesus.

The set will be designed by Nate Davis and Garret Storms, with lighting by Nate Davis. Costume design will be handled by Peggy Kruger-O'Brien and Garret Storms, with sound design by Storms. Props and set décor are by Lynn Lovett.

JACOB MARLEY'S CHRISTMAS CAROL will preview Friday, November 27 at 8:00, and will run through Sunday, December 20. Performance times will be Thursday evenings at 7:30, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00, with Sunday matinees at 3:00. Ticket prices range from $31 to $35, with discounts for the preview performance, and for students, seniors, and military. Food service is available 90 minutes prior to performances (reservations are necessary). Reservations and information are available through the Box Office (817-784-9378), or on the website, www.stagewest.org.

Photo courtesy Stage West.

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