KC Rep's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Begins 11/20

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 2015-16 season with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted for the stage by Barbara Fields and directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Producing Director Jerry Genochio. Performances run November 20 through December 24 at the NEWLY RENOVATED Spencer Theatre. Kansas City's favorite holiday tradition is back for its 35th season, and the magnificent new Spencer Theatre promises an experience that's more magical than ever. Come share the joy of the holiday season, as our theatre transforms into a page right out of the classic tale by Charles Dickens. Richly textured sets, ornate costumes and spectacular special effects will transport the entire family into the tale of the grumpy Ebenezer Scrooge, who requires the intervention of a few ghostly guides to find the true meaning of Christmas - and life itself. Opening night is Saturday, November 28th at 8:00 pm. Past production high resolution photos can be found here .

The newly renovated Spencer Theatre will celebrate its grand reopening with A Christmas Carol, Kansas City's favorite holiday tradition. The theatre underwent a substantial $5.6 million renovation with significant improvements which will enhance the audience experience including the installation of new lighting and acoustic technology, a new stage floor, new carpet and chair coverings inside the theatre, and 5,500-square-feet of new construction, including new restrooms, second floor lounge, and a beautiful expansion of the lobby of the performing arts center. Further upgrades include state-of- the-art technology for the lobby, permanent signage on the exterior of the building, and enhanced sound equipment and new headsets for the theatre's assisted listening system. Little had been done to modernize the space since it opened in 1979. Spencer Theater is located in UMKC's James C. Olson Performing Arts Center on the Volker campus.

This huge production features a cast of more than a hundred Kansas City professional actors, designers and production staff, including UMKC Theatre faculty and graduate students and children and young performers from throughout the metropolitan area.

Jerry Genochio (Director) leads the production and artistic teams and is responsible for mounting all productions as well as season budgets, calendars and planning. Before joining the team at KC Rep, Genochio served as production manager for Alabama Shakespeare Festival, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Sacramento Theatre Company and Southwest Missouri State University. He also spent ten seasons as Scenery Director for the Utah Shakespearean Festival and served as Technical Director at Illinois State University, Lafayette College, and Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and toured nationally with Minneapolis' Children's Theatre Company. Genochio has an MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University and a BS from Northwest Missouri State University.

In addition to the return of Gary Neal Johnson as Ebenezer Scrooge, cast members include: Katelyn Baron (Aunti Fezzie, Giggly) , Martin S. Buchanan (Fred, Parent) , Jason Chanos (Bob Cratchit/Fezzi Guest), Walter Coppage (Marley, Fezziwig), Scott Cordes (Old Joe, Fezzi Guest), Jacob Cullum (Young Ebenezer), Daniel Fleming (Bobby, Poulterer, Marley Ghost), Peggy Friesen (Mrs. Fezziwig, Harp), Charles Fugate (Dickens), Joshua Gilman (Albert Hall), Colleen Grate (Belle, Soprano), Katie Kalahurka (Mrs. Fred, Fezziwig Guest), Daria LeGrand (Fan, Fezzi Guest), Andy Perkins (Ghost of Christmas Future, Solicitor #3), Samuel Salary (Dick Wilkins, 1st Young Man), Jonathan Schriock (Violin), Vanessa Severo (Mrs. Crachit, Fezziwig Guest), Rusty Sneary (Ghost of Christmas Present, Solicitor #1) Kris Stoker (Topper, Associate #1), Bradley Thomas (Marley Ghost/2nd Young Man), Nick Uthoff (Bed, Bass, Fezziwig Guest), Caroline Vuchetich (Laundress, Fezziwig Guest), Cheryl Weaver (Ghost of Christmas Past, Solicitor #2), Brianna Woods (Serious, Fezziwig Guest, Marley Ghost) and Dianne Yvette (Charwoman, Fezziwig Guest). Tiny Tim will be played by Delilah Pellow and Owen Winkler.

The Teen Ensemble includes: Dylan Cooper, Francis Cooper, Lauren Daugherty, Maeve Donovon, Mary Grace Greene, Brett Gieras, Addison Landes , Cameron Mabie, Mia McManamy, Khalil Odums, Lela, Pereira, Chloe Philgreen, Margo Roberts, Victoria Schmidt, , Scottie Sharp, McKenna Shaw, Leah Slemmons, Janey Wetzel, and Terrace Wyatt.

The Youth Ensemble is made up of : Dominic Adams (Want), Sophia Adams (Ignorance), Maddox Bane (Peter Crachit), Wes Battey (Peter Crachit), Holly Jackson (Martha Crachit) Scarlet Nevins (Ignorance), Ellie McManamy, Sawyer Nevins (young Scrooge), Josephine Pellow (Belinda Crachit), Emerson Pereira (Belinda Crachit), Benjamin Priestland, Archer Schmidt (young Scrooge), Olivia Shackelford (Want) , Janey Sevenson, Claire Rupp, Charlie Trent, Sam Wise (Simon).

The design and production team for A Christmas Carol includes Anthony Edwards (Music Director), Jennifer Martin (Choreography & Movement Coach), Vanessa Severo (Dance Staging), Scott Stackhouse (Vocal Coach), Joshua Horvath (Sound Design), Jeffrey Cady (Lighting & Projections), John Ezell (Scenic Design), Caitlin Tuten (Costume Supervisor & Additional Costume Design), and Jennifer Collins (Production Stage Manager) and Rachel Dyer (Assistant Stage Manager).

Performances begin Friday, Nov. 20 and run through Thursday, Dec. 24 at the newly renovated Spencer Theatre. Press night is scheduled for Opening Night Sat., Nov. 28, 8pm curtain. High res rehearsal photos can be found here . Appropriate for ages 4 +.

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