Alley Theatre's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Opens Tonight

Houston's seasonal favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns to light up the Holiday Season at the University of Houston November 21 to December 24, the third production in the "Alley Theatre @ UH" season.

Michael Wilson's adaptation, an imaginative re-telling of the Charles Dickens' classic, is described by the Houston Press as having "Spectacular London sets ... spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future." Family audiences (children ages 6 and older) can enjoy this colorful, comical, and music-filled production that follows Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. Magical and heartwarming, this unforgettable theatrical production of A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the true spirit of the holiday season.

Alley Associate Director James Black directs this production with a cast that plays more than 30 characters. This year's production features Alley favorite and Alley Company Alumnus John Feltch, who returns to take on the signature roles of Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley alongside Alley Company Member Jeffrey Bean, who returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Josie de Guzman returns as Spirit of Christmas Past with David Rainey as Spirit of Christmas Present and Todd Waite as Mr. Marvel. Also reprising their roles are Elizabeth Bunch as Mrs. Cratchit and Chris Hutchison as Bob Cratchit.

The cast features Alley Theatre Resident Company members Paul Hope as Second Solicitor/Mr. Fezziwig, Charles Krohn as Undertaker/Old Joe, Emily Neves as Belle/Fred's Wife, Melissa Pritchett as Mary Stuart Apparition/Beggar Woman/Fred's Sister-In-Law, Jay Sullivan as Fred/Scrooge At Twenty-One and John Tyson as First Solicitor/Fiddler.

Rounding out the cast are Ellen Dyer as Restoration Apparition/Wendy/Martha Cratchit, Dylan Godwin as 18th Century Apparition/Dick Wilkins/Mr. Topper, Mitchell Greco as Medieval Apparition/Party Guest, Mark Ivy as Henry V Apparition/Lamplighter/Travis and Beth Lazarou as 12th Century Apparition/Rich Lady/Patricia.

In addition to the adult cast, over 20 children from the Greater Houston community will be cast in this production, and a separate announcement will follow.

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas features Tony Award-winning scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) with costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club, A Few Good Men, Noises Off). Lighting is designed by Rui Rita (Alley's Freud's Last Session, The Seafarer, Dividing the Estate), and original music is composed by John Gromada (Alley's The Elephant Man, Dividing the Estate, Ether Dome).

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson, from the story by Charles Dickens, directed by Alley Associate Director James Black, begins previews Friday, November 21, opens Tuesday, November 25 and runs through Wednesday, December 24.

The Alley Theatre began producing an annual production of A Christmas Carol in 1989, making 2014 the Alley's 25th annual production of this classic tale. Michael Wilson's adaptation is an imaginative re-telling of the classic story. In 1990, Wilson - in his first directing project for the Alley - adapted and directed a version of the story that became a national standout for its dancing apparitions and Wizard of Oz like storyline. Since its inception, the production has developed into a crowd-pleasing holiday favorite, delighting more than 35,000 individuals last holiday season. Dickens' classic tale is a heart-warming and bone-chilling story for audiences of all ages. Through encounters with ghosts - including his late business partner Jacob Marley - Scrooge learns what ill fate lies in store for him if he continues on his greedy and heartless course.

Charles Dickens' novella, whose full title is A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas was published in 1843 to instant success, selling six thousand copies within its first week. Originally written as a quick money maker to enable Dickens to get out of debt, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve has become one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time. The first stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol dates back to January of 1844 in London and movie adaptations of this story were filmed as early as 1910.

Photo by Mike McCormick

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