STAGE TUBE: First Look at J.C. Cutler, Bob Davis and More in Highlights of Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Tuesday, October 22 marks the first day of rehearsal for the Guthrie Theater's 2013 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 39th year at the Guthrie, features a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and is directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as both director and movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will reprise the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past summer's original romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice. Check out a first look at highlights below!

More than 800 actors have appeared in the Guthrie holiday production of Dickens' immortal story over the last 38 years. This year's production features returning cast members Jay Albright (Mr. Fezziwig / Mr. Bones / Scrooge's Priest), Robert O. Berdahl (The Ghost of Christmas Present / Young Marley), Virginia S. Burke (Mrs. Cratchit / Dora Fezziwig), Bob Davis(Old Joe / Jacob Marley), Nathaniel Fuller (George, the Bailiff / Mr. Sykes, the Schoolmaster),Summer Hagen (Daisy Fezziwig / Mabel), Tracey Maloney (The Ghost of Christmas Past / Jane), Kris L. Nelson(Bob Cratchit / Donald), Isabell Monk O'Connor (Mrs. Dilber / Bumble / Mrs. Polkinghorne), Angela Timberman(Merriweather) and Suzanne Warmanen(Mrs. Fezziwig / Bunty).

This year's production also features the talents of eight University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program alumni, including Sam Bardwell (Topper / Dick Wilkins), Eleonore S. Dendy (Mrs. Wimple/Belle/Kitty), Torsten Johnson (Mr. Wimple / David / The Ghost of Christmas Future / Belle's Husband), Paris Hunter Paul (Young Scrooge),Hugh Kennedy (Fred / Daniel) and Anna Reichert (Deidre Fezziwig / Sally).

A 13-member children's ensemble rounds out the cast. Ensemble members include Hazel Cutting, Dora Dolphin, Alec Fisher, Maia Hernandez, Samuel Keller-Long, Soren Miller, Delaney Murray, Ryan McCormick, Ella R. Nelson, Tess Nelson, Noah Ratgan, Noah Ross, Emmanuel R. Torrez and Zel Weilandgruber as Tiny Tim.

The artistic team includes Walt Spangler (Set Designer), Mathew J. LeFebvre (Costume Designer), Christopher Akerlind(Lighting Designer), Ryan Connealy (Recreated Lighting Design), Keith Thomas (Composer) and Scott W. Edwards(Sound Designer).

The production team includes Jo Holcomb (Dramaturg), D'Arcy Smith (Voice and Dialect Coach), Michele Hossle (Stage Manager), Joseph Stodola (Assistant Director) and Jason Clusman (Assistant Stage Manager).

A Christmas Carol begins preview performances on November 14, opens November 20 and continues through December 29, 2013, on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Single tickets start at $28 and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online atwww.guthrietheater.org.

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