McCarter Theatre Announces Casting for Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic returns to Princeton with McCarter Theatre Center's annual production of A Christmas Carol. Adapted by David Thompson and directed by Michael Unger, the production runs December 4 through December 24.

A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens' timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his magical journey into Christmas past, present, and future. McCarter's critically acclaimed production has been called "a must-see" by The New York Times and "a glorious two hours of spectacle and joy" by The Princeton Packet.

"This production is truly a gift not only to our audiences but to everyone involved," said McCarter Producing Director Mara Isaacs. "Whether you are nine or ninety-nine, the play never ceases to delight and amuse with its large cast of characters and timeless theme of redemption."

The 2011 production welcomes back Broadway veteran Graeme Malcolm, leading a cast of 40 in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Mr. Malcolm's Broadway credits include Equus; Translations; The King and I; Aida; and M. Butterfly (First National Tour). His other credits include Translations and Betrayal at McCarter, as well as productions at Arena Stage, Yale Rep, Hartford Stage, Long Wharf, and others. He has also narrated over 300 audio books.

This year's cast will also feature familiar faces including Justin Blanchard (Jacob Marley), Piper Goodeve (Fan), Michele Tauber (Mrs. Fezziwig), and James Ludwig (Fred). Returning to the role of Christmas Present will be Ronica Reddick who appeared in the 2007 and 2009 productions, and Price Waldman will revisit the role of Bob Cratchit having played that role in the 2004 and 2005 productions. After a two year absence, the production welcomes back Anne O'Sullivan in the role of Mrs. Dilber. Ms. O'Sullivan has been associated with the show since 2001.

The production will also boast several new faces: Tom Riis Farrell (Mr. Fezziwig), Andrea Goss (Lilly/Belle), David Kenner (Young Scrooge), and Christina Rouner (Mrs. Cratchit).

The highlight of every McCarter production of A Christmas Carol are the fourteen area children who fill the stage in a variety of roles. This year's Young Ensemble members are Kate Fahey (Richboro, PA), Annika Goldman (Princeton), Danny Hallowell (Skillman), Noah Hinsdale (Princeton Junction), Matthew Immordino (Pennington), Samantha Johnson (Somerset), Matthew Kuenne (Princeton), Adam LaCompte (Lawrence Township), Natalie Mehl (Califon), Benjamin Palmer (West Windsor), Jackie Patterson (Princeton), Sophia Sharma (Princeton), Olivia Sheridan (Lawrenceville), and Emma Ventola (East Brunswick).

Members of the Adult Ensemble include William Carlos Angulo, Rachel Baker, Eric Brathwaite, Mike Faist, Justin Henry, Stacey Jackson, Emma Ritchie, Arianna Rosario, Ryan Steer, Jessi Trauth, and J. Morgan White.

Michael Unger happily returns to McCarter for his 14th year of directing A Christmas Carol. His other directing credits include new versions of Kander & Ebb's The Happy Time (Signature, Arlington, VA) and The Rink starring Leslie Uggams and Janet Metz. World premieres include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barrington Stage); Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin (New York Stage and Film and New York Musical Theatre Festival), Caligula (New York Music Festival, Audience Favorite Award). This season, he directed Menotti's The Consul for Opera New Jersey. He has also created Audition Connection, an online casting resource for theater, opera, film, and TV.

David Thompson's most recent Broadway credit includes the libretto for The Scottsboro Boys, with music by John Kander and Fred Ebb and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman. The show originated at off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre and, prior to its Broadway run, was presented at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis for a sold-out 10-week run. The show received 12 Tony nominations, including Best Book. Thompson's work was also recognized with the prestigious Hull-Warriner Award, a Drama Desk nomination, as well as the Outer Circle Critics and Lucille Lortel Awards for Best Musical. Thompson created the new script adaptation for the current revival of Chicago, which is now in its 15th year on Broadway, making it the longest running American musical in history. Other Broadway projects include Steel Pier (Tony Nomination, Best Book) and Lincoln Center's Thou Shalt Not. His upcoming Broadway projects include Prince of Broadway, directed by Hal Prince and Susan Stroman.

Performances of A Christmas Carol in McCarter's Matthews Theatre are Wednesday through Thursday at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 7:30pm, and Sundays at 1pm and 5pm. The performances on Friday, December 23 are at 3pm and 7:30pm, and Saturday, December 24 at noon and 4pm. Performances start Sunday, December 4 at 5:30pm.

For a complete performance schedule, visit www.mccarter.org.

Tickets to A Christmas Carol start at $20. Tickets may be purchased by calling the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office at (609) 258-2787 or online at www.mccarter.org.

Book your holiday party at McCarter and enjoy A Christmas Carol with family and friends or business clients. Groups of six or more save and receive premium seating! For more information, call the Group Services Office at (609) 258-6526 or email groups@mccarter.org .

McCarter provides Barrier-Free Access for patrons using wheelchairs, walkers, canes, or crutches. Ample doorways and convenient curb cuts provide easy wheelchair accessibility. Specially equipped restrooms are on the lobby level. Please inform the sales office of your needs at the time of ticket purchase.

Special Performances
McCarter Theatre offers a variety of events in conjunction with the performance, as well as special services for patrons who have visual and audio impairments. (There is no additional charge for these services) The dates for these programs and events are as follows:

ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreted Performance: Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 pm
Each ASL performance is preceded by a brief introduction given by professional interpreters. To ensure optimal seating locations for viewing of both the interpreters and the stage, please indicate that you or members of your party will be using this service at the time of ticket purchase.

Audio Described Performance: Saturday, December 17 at 2:00 pm
Audio Described Performances are for the benefit of patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Without interfering with the dialogue, McCarter's staff of trained audio describers provides a live, objective, and succinct description of the action and visual elements of the play, heard by participating patrons through an ear piece attached to a pocket-sized FM radio.

Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 18 at 1:00 pm
This program offers another option for hearing impaired patrons by allowing the audience to view spoken dialogue on a caption unit located near the stage. The dialogue scrolls across an easily visible screen so that patrons can follow what is said onstage.

 

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