McCarter Theatre Center has announced its reimagined production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Directed by Adam Immerwahr, A Christmas Carol runs December 9 - 31 in the Matthews Theatre. Press opening is Saturday, Dec. 10. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!
Ebenezer Scrooge (Greg Wood) is not a fan of Christmas. He "bah humbugs" every glimmer of holiday happiness. Cheer is costly and good-will is bad for business. This Christmas, however, things are going to be a little different. In a new look at an annual McCarter tradition, this exciting new production will usher you into the spirit of the season with all the joy, wonder, and generosity that Scrooge himself discovers.
McCarter has created a brand new version of Ebenezer Scrooge's magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future. Combining period-specific music with 21st century design and special effects, a cast of professional actors will be joined by ensemble members chosen from the greater Princeton community. Audiences will experience an immersive Dickensian environment from the opening of the theater doors to the final bows.
Ever since its publication in 1843, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has come to embody everything that is good and right about the human spirit not only during the holidays, but all throughout the year. Originally written in rebuttal of the squalid working conditions of child laborers in Industrial Age England, A Christmas Carol remains a timeless tale of redemption, hope, and love.
A Christmas Carol combines David Thompson's (The Scottsboro Boys) adaptation with music composed by Michael Friedman (Artistic Director of City Center Encores!), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), scenic design by Daniel Ostling (Metamorphoses), costumes by Linda Cho (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), lighting by Lap Chi Chu (Father Comes Home from the Wars), sound design by Darron L West (Tony Award - Peter and the Starcatcher), and special effects by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).
Boasting a gigantic list of Broadway, regional and international credits, the cast of A Christmas Carol features returning McCarter veterans Jessica Bedford (The Mousetrap), Warner Miller (Antony & Cleopatra), Lance Roberts (Sweet+Hot), and JD Taylor (The Understudy). They are joined by first-time McCarter artists Elisha Lawson, Anne L. Nathan, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, A.J. Shively, Sue Jin Song, Greg Wood, and Frank X.
After an extensive audition process, McCarter Theatre Center is proud to welcome the members of the inaugural Community Ensemble and our 2016 Young Ensemble.
The Community Ensemble includes Amy Blair, Tara Parkman, and Kirk Ponton of Ewing, NJ; Kristin Devine of Washington Crossing, PA; Marie Fiorello and Gloria Schnure of Somerset, NJ; Ithamar Francois and Arielle Rabano of Hillsborough, NJ; Lew Gantwerk, Elias Malavet, and Connor Crafton Marrone of Princeton, NJ; Faith E. Iloka and BryannA Martinez-Jimenez of Trenton, NJ; Scott Karlin of Plainsboro, NJ; Stan Karuzis of Lawrence Township, NJ; Jeffrey Knoll of Pennington, NJ; Thom V. Kummerle, Shan Raju, and Sakshi S. Nathan of Princeton Junction, NJ; Camillo and Valencio Lazarczyk of Whitehouse, NJ; Ashley Lynn Medina of Skillman, NJ; Linda Palmarozza of Ambler, PA; and Rupal Patel of West Windsor, NJ.
In addition, two Community Ensemble members have been cast in major roles for this production. Mimi Francis of North Brunswick, NJ will feature as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Kelsey Carroll of Allentown, NJ will feature in the roles of Fan and Miss Kate.
The Young Ensemble is comprised of twelve local children: Graham Beers, Russell Clark, Ivy Cordle, Sofia DaCruz, Xander Kurian, and Gabriella Shapcott of Princeton, NJ; Candace Beverly and Tashi Lakkaraju of Somerset, NJ; Ethan Chang of Princeton Junction, NJ; Miriam Foster-Swartley of Pipersville, PA; Zachary McDevitt of Lawrenceville, NJ; and Liam McKernan of Newtown, PA.
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol runs December 9 - 31 in the Matthews Theatre. Single tickets range from $28 - $93 and are on sale now online at mccarter.org, by phone at (609) 258-2787, or in person at the McCarter Theatre Ticket Office, located at 91 University Place in Princeton.
Photo Credit: Matt Pilsner
A.J. Shively, Elisha Lawson, Greg Wood and director Adam Immerwahr
A.J. Shively, Greg Wood, Lance Roberts and Anne Nathan
A.J. Shively and Lance Roberts
A.J. Shively, Lance Roberts and Greg Wood
A.J. Shively, Jamila Sabares-Klemm and Greg Wood
Community Ensemble Members Marie Fiorello and Linda Palmarozza with A.J. Shively (center)
Director Adam Immerwahr and Graham Beers
Director Adam Immerwahr with Jamila Sabares-Klemm and A.J. Shively
Ensemble Members
Greg Wood (center) and members of the company
Greg Wood (center) and members of the company
Greg Wood (left) and Mimi Francis
Greg Wood (top)
Greg Wood and Ivy Cordle
Greg Wood and Sue Jinsong
Jamila Sabares-Klemm, Greg Wood and A.J. Shively
Jessica Bedford, Warner Miller and Greg Wood with members of the young ensemble
Kelsey Carroll and Graham Beers
Lance Roberts, A.J. Shively and Elisha Lawson
Liam McKernan and Greg Wood
The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Mimi Francis (top) and Greg Wood
Sue Jinsong and Frank X.
Tashi Lakkaraju and Jessica Bedford
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