KC Rep Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 11/19-12/26

For three decades, more than half a million admirers of A Christmas Carol have been delighted by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's annual production of Charles Dickens' holiday classic. This year, the Rep celebrates its 30th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol by refurbishing its iconic set and introducing exciting new elements to the show, which is directed by 29-year-old Kyle Hatley.  A Christmas Carol runs November 19-December 26 at Spencer Theatre on the UMKC campus, and is produced in partnership with UMKC Theatre. 
 
"Although we've enhanced and heightened the show in many ways, we have not changed what Kansas City holds dear about A Christmas Carol," said Hatley. "A Christmas Carol is very special to me, too - it was the very first play I ever saw - so I understand why it is an important holiday tradition for so  many families."
 
Gleeful music, spirited dancing and games, and gatherings of family and friends all play an important role in Dickens' charming tale, which is as meaningful today as it was when he wrote it in 1843.  He also cleverly summons forth time-traveling ghosts to illustrate the meaning and magic of Christmas.  Dickens could even be credited as the originator of the now-popular trend of the "makeover," with Scrooge undergoing a renovation of his soul during the course of the play, as he is transformed from a cold-hearted miser to a tender and generous provider.
 
The Rep's large-scale production of A Christmas Carol employs a cast of 52 local actors and designers, including several students and faculty members from the UMKC Department of Theatre. 
 
Hatley, who also serves as the Rep's associate artistic director, will direct the Rep's upcoming production of Circle Mirror Transformation in early 2011.  He previously directed the theatre's productions of Broke-ology and The Borderland, and served as assistant director of Saved-directed by Gary Griffin, Into the Woods-directed by Moisés Kaufman, and the 2009 world premiere of A Christmas Story, The Musical!-directed by the Rep's artistic director Eric Rosen.  Since arriving in Kansas City in 2007, Hatley has also taken an active role in the Kansas City Fringe Festival, for which he has written and directed Head, Watering the Grave, Six and The Death of Cupid. 
 
To read biographies of Kyle Hatley and the entire company, please visit www.KCRep.org
 
Gary Neal Johnson returns for his ninth season as Ebenezer Scrooge.  Additional cast members include: Zachary Andrews (Fred), Allan L. Boardman (Old Joe), Greg Brostrom (Poulterer/Albert Hall), Rufus Burns (Dick Wilkins), TJ Chasteen (Young Ebenezer/Undertaker), Noel Collins (Topper), Walter Coppage (Bob Cratchit), Corey Eaton (Ignorance), Kat Endsley (Laundress), Peggy Friesen (Mrs. Fezziwig/Harp Accompanist), Charles Fugate (Charles Dickens), Jim Gall (Ghost of Christmas Present/Mr. Fezziwig), Marcus Garlington (Peter), Kelly Gibson (Giggly Sister), Nick Grant (Peter), Jennie Greensberry (Poulterer's Wife), Katie Hall (Belinda), Whittaker Hoar (Tiny Tim/Scrooge as a Boy), Katie Kalahurka (Solicitor/Ghost of Christmas Past/Martha), Jack Kincaid (Tiny Tim, Scrooge as a Boy), Sarah LaBarr (Aunt Fezziwig), Addison Landes (Want), Paolo Laskero (Simon), Andrea Morales (Serious Sister), Emily Peterson (Fan), Matthew Rapport (Solicitor/Ghost of Christmas Future), Mark Robbins (Jacob Marley), Stephanie Roberts (Mrs. Cratchit), Vanessa Severo (Belle/Mrs. Fred), Anna E. Stastny (Belinda), Mia Vaught (Ignorance), Margaret Veglahn (Want), Kathleen Warfel (Grandma Fezziwig), Cheryl Weaver (Charwoman) and Austin Zollars (Simon).  The Ensemble is made up of Mattie Bell, Jane Carr, Francis Cooper, Rogan Grant, Jane Kincaid and Megan Secrest.
 
The design and production team for A Christmas Carol includes John Ezell (Set Design), who designed the set for the Rep's original 1981 production, Lacy L. Hansen (Costume Design), Jeffrey Cady (Projections and Lighting Design), John Story (Sound Designer), Jennifer Martin (Choreography), Mark Ferrell (Musical Director), Eric Graves (Assistant Director), Eryn Preston (Additional Music) and Brooke Redler (Production Stage Manager).
 
All performances of A Christmas Carol will take place in Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson Performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus at 4949 Cherry Street, four blocks east of the Country Club Plaza. Tickets for A Christmas Carol cost $20-$70; youth tickets are $20.  For information about performance times and ticket options, call the Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700 or visit www.KCRep.org.
 
The 2010 production of A Christmas Carol at Kansas City Repertory Theatre is produced in partnership with the UMKC Theatre and with the generous support of the Hall Family Foundation.  Additional support is provided by the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund.

Photo Credit: Don Ipock.