Kansas City Rep's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Begins Tonight

Kansas City Repertory Theatre continues its 50th anniversary celebration with the beloved holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Jerry Genochio. Performances run tonight, November 21 through December 26 at UMKC's Spencer Theatre. Since 1981, more than half a million audience members have fallen in love with Dicken's ageless story of the ghostly experiences of the hard-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical Christmas Eve. Press night is Saturday, November 29th, 8pm curtain.

KC Rep's 34th annual production of A Christmas Carol is directed by Kansas City Repertory Theatre's Producing Director Jerry Genochio and stars beloved Kansas City treasure, Gary Neal Johnson as Ebenezer Scrooge. This production marks not only his 13th consecutive year in this role but also his 100th production during his 30 year career with Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

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 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 Gary Neal Johnson (Ebenezer Scrooge), cast members include: Martin S. Buchanan (Ghost of Christmas Future/Solicitor #3) , Walter Coppage (Bob Cratchet/Fezzi Guest), Spencer Christiensen (Albert Hall), Jacob Cullum (Young Ebenezer), Peggy Friesen (Mrs. Fezziwig/Harp Accompanist), Joseph Fournier (Marley Ghost, Bobby), Charles Fugate (Charles Dickens), Jim Gall (Ghost of Christmas Present/Solicitor #1/Fezziwig), Colleen Grate (Aunt Fezzi), Nicole Greenberg (Laundress, Fezzi Guest), Megan Herrera (Serious Sister/Marley Ghost/Fezzi Guest), Katie Kalahurka (Ghost of Christmas Past/Solicitor #2), Daria LeGrand (Fan, Fezzi Guest), Matt McAndrews (Dick Wilkins/1st Young Man/Marley Ghost/Undertaker), Dawnnie Mercado (Mrs. Crachit, Granny), Matthew Rapport (Topper/Fezzi Guest/Associate #1), Mark Robbins (Marley/Old Joe), Jonathan Schriock (Violin), Vanessa Severo (Mrs. Fred), Rusty Sneary (Fred/Parent), Bradley Thomas (Marley Ghost/2nd Young Man), Nick Uthoff (Fezzi Guest/Associate #2), Cheryl Weaver (Charwoman/Fezzi Guest), Stephanie Wieneke (Belle/Fezzi Guest). Tiny Tim will be played by Delilah Pellow and Owen Winkler. This is only the second time in KC Rep's history that Tiny Tim has been played by a young female.

The Young Adult Ensemble includes: Hannah Ahlenius, Abigail Becker, Addison Landes , Jenna Lee McCarty, Sean Moise, Benjamin Raeth, Khalil Odums, Victoria Schmidt, Leah Slemmons, Genevieve Wiedeman, Margaret Veghlan, and Terrace Wyatt.

The Children's Ensemble is made up of : Dylan Cooper (Ignorance), Francis Cooper, Reilly Donnelly, Maeve Donovon, Darcie Hingula, Josie Lenati, Emerson Pereira (Want), Margo Roberts (Ignorance), Claire Rupp, Annie Smith (Want).

The design and production team for A Christmas Carol includes Anthony Edwards (Music Director), Jennifer Martin (Choreography & Movement Coach), Scott Stackhouse (Vocal Coach), Jeffrey Cady (Lighting & Projections), John Ezell and Gene Friedman (Scenic Design), Tyler Wilson (Costume Supervisor & Additional Costume Design), John Story (Sound), and Brooke Redler (Production Stage Manager) and Rachel Dyer (Assistant Stage Manager).

A Christmas Carol runs November 21 - December 26, 2014 at Spencer Theatre, located at 4949 Cherry Street on the UMKC campus in Kansas City, MO. Tickets are $29 to $93 and can be purchased through the KC Rep Box Office at 816-235-2700 or online at www.KCRep.org. For group ticket sales, please call 816-235-6122.

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