Jeffrey Bean & John Feltch Set for Alley Theatre's Stage's A CHRISTMAS CAROL - A GHOST STORY CHRISTMAS

Houston's seasonal favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns to light up the Holiday Season downtown on the Hubbard Stage November 15 to December 26.

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-filledproduction 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 former Alley Company Member John Feltch, who returns to take on the signature role of Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley alongside Alley Company Member Jeffrey Bean, who reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge. Alley Company Member Chris Hutchison makes his debut in the challenging role of Mr. Marvel, alongside Leah Curney making her Alley Theatre debut as Mary Pidgeon and Spirit of Christmas Past, and Alley Company Member David Rainey reprising his role as Bert and Spirit of Christmas Present.

The cast also features Acting Company Members James Belcher as Second Solicitor/Mr. Fezziwig, Paul Hope as First Solicitor/Fiddler, Charles Krohn as Undertaker/Old Joe, Emily Neves as Belle/Fred's Wife, Melissa Pritchett as Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Cratchit and Jay Sullivan as Fred/Scrooge at Twenty-One.

Rounding out the cast are Ellen Dyer as 12th Century Apparition/Rich Lady/Patricia, Adam Gibbs as Henry V Apparition/Travis, Dylan Godwin as 18th Century Apparition/Dick Wilkins/Mr. Topper, Mitchell Greco as Medieval Apparition/Party Guest, Beth Lazarou as Mary Stuart Apparition/Fred's Sister-in-Law, Philip Lehl as Bob Cratchit and Raven Troup as Restoration Apparition/Wendy/Martha Cratchit

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 The Seafarer, Dividing the Estate, Pygmalion), 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 15, opens Sunday, November 17 and runs through Thursday, December 26.

The Alley Theatre began producing an annual production of A Christmas Carol in 1989, making 2013 the Alley's 24th 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.

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