Pittsburgh CLO Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Pittsburgh CLO is proud to announce casting for the 27th annual production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL, December 7-23 at the Byham Theater. This year's production will feature lavish costumes and thrilling effects made possible by the support received from the Next Generation Capital Campaign. TV veteran and Broadway star Richard Thomas makes his Pittsburgh CLO debut leading the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.

Richard Thomas (Ebenezer Scrooge) received a Tony Award nomination for his most recent appearance on Broadway in The Little Foxes. His other Broadway appearances include You Can't Take It With You, An Enemy Of The People, Race, Democracy, The Front Page, The Fifth Of July, and his professional debut at 8 years old in Sunrise At Campobello. Recent performances include The Old Globe production of Othello, the Arena Stage premiere of Camp David, and the off-Broadway revival of Incident At Vichy for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination. Richard was last seen on tour in the hit revival of 12 Angry Men and in the Tony Award winning play The Humans. On television, he created the roles of John-Boy on The Waltons for which he won the Emmy Award and Agent Frank Gaad on The Americans. He will be seen next on television in the TNT series Tell Me Your Secrets.

Allison Cahill (Charity Worker/Ghost of Christmas Past/Peg) returns to Pittsburgh CLO's A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for a fourth season. She has performed internationally, with Pittsburgh Public Theater, West Virginia Public, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Playhouse, St. Vincent College, Off The Wall Theatre, KSMT and Terra Nova Theatre Company. Graduate of AADA (NYC).

Justin Fortunato (Fred/Businessman) is returning to A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for his seventh year. Credits include: Pittsburgh Public Theater, PICT, St. Vincent Summer Theatre, the REP, Pittsburgh CLO, Primestage and Dream Catcher Theatre. He is currently the Producing Artistic Director of Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.

Daniel Frontz (Tiny Tim) is returning for his second year as Tiny Tim in Pittsburgh CLO's A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. Past roles include Chip in Pittsburgh CLO's production of Beauty and the Beast and Trouble in Pittsburgh Opera's Madama Butterfly. Daniel is a sixth grade musical theatre major at Pittsburgh CAPA and studies at CLO Academy.

Lisa Ann Goldsmith (Mrs. Cratchit) is back for her eighth year in A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. Recent credits include Kate Jerome in Brighton Beach Memoirs (Human Race Theatre Company), and The Woman in The Father (Kinetic Theatre). Lisa Ann has appeared locally and regionally with such companies as Arkansas Rep, Primary Stages, Theatre by the Sea, Pittsburgh CLO, Pittsburgh Public Theater and many others. She will be playing Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul & Mary) in the upcoming feature film, 116 MacDougal.

Ashton Guthrie (Tom Watkins, Dick Wilkins, The Undertaker) has appeared in A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL since 2014. Pittsburgh credits include: Oklahoma!, The Playboy of the Western World, The Wild Duck (Pittsburgh Playhouse), My Fair Lady and Guys and Dolls (Pittsburgh Public Theater). He holds a BFA in Acting from Point Park University.

Luke Halferty (Town Crier/Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) returns to Pittsburgh CLO where he was previously seen in Titanic, The Full Monty, Brigadoon, First Date and The 39 Steps. Luke has also appeared regionally with Pittsburgh Public Theater, PICT, The Rep, St. Vincent Summer Theatre, Stage Right and The Conservatory Theatre Company of Point Park University where he earned his BFA.

Tim Hartman (Charity Worker/Businessman/Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present) Broadway: A Tale of Two Cities and Finian's Rainbow. Pittsburgh: Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Thénardier in Les Misérables, The Narrator in Into the Woods, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, El Gallo in The Fantasticks and Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music. Other favorites include Falstaff in Henry IV, and C.S. Lewis in Shadowlands. Tim has also appeared as Merlin in Camelot, Ziegfeld in Funny Girl, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and 24 characters in the one man show The Cotton Patch Gospel. Movies: The Silence of the Lambs, The Piano Lesson, The Mothman Prophecies, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and The Fault in our Stars.

Jeffrey Howell (Bob Cratchit) recently appeared in Titanic, Brigadoon, Beauty and the Beast, Citizens Market and Forum. Other favorites: Damn Yankees, Souvenir, Choir Boy, Singin' in the Rain, The Light in the Piazza, Man of La Mancha, Lost Highway, Sunset Boulevard, Candide, Bells are Ringing and Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge. Television: All My Children, The Young and the Restless. Films: The Cemetery Club and Sudden Death.

Daniel Krell (Marley's Ghost/Young Marley/Businessman) has appeared in over 35 productions with Pittsburgh CLO. He's played major roles with the region's professional theaters, such as Pittsburgh Public, City Theatre, and Quantum, as well as theaters around the country, including Clarence Brown Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory and Gateway Playhouse among others. Dan recently finished filming the upcoming Tom Hanks/Mr. Rogers film. Up Next: A Doll's House, Part 2 at Pittsburgh Public.

Alex Manalo (Fan/Alice/Laundress) is making her debut in Pittsburgh CLO's A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. She is a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Point Park University. She has worked with several theater companies throughout the city including MTAP, Front Porch Theatricals, Pittsburgh Playhouse, City Theatre and countless others. Credits include Brewed (Colette), Big Fish (Mermaid) and South Pacific (Liat).

Julia Paladino (Missy Watkins/Martha Cratchit) returns to Pittsburgh CLO for her fourth production of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. Past roles include Maria in West Side Story, Luisa in The Fantasticks, Adele in Die Fledermaus and many more.

Benjamin Pimental (Peter Cratchit/Young Scrooge's Schoolmate) is a CCM Musical Theater student whose credits include: World Premiere: Tink! (Jack of the Green), Sleeping Beauty (Prince William). Regional Credits: Newsies (Finch), West Side Story (A-rab), Rock of Ages (Franz), Sweeney Todd (Anthony).

Corwin Stoddard (Topper, Vendors, School Master) is joining the cast of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for the first time. His recent credits include The Bridges of Madison County (Michael) with Carnivale Theatrics and Evil Dead (Ed) with PMT, along with both Floyd Collins (Jewell Estes) and Violet (Billy Dean) with Front Porch Theatricals. Proud alumnus of Point Park University, Perry-Mansfield and HSPVA.

ERIKA STRASBURG (Belle/Bess) is back for her sixth year with A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. Other Pittsburgh CLO credits include: Titanic (Caroline Neville), Up And Away (Susie Dare), Pump Boys & Dinettes (Prudie Cupp) and Ring of Fire. Proud Carnegie Mellon drama graduate.

Terry Wickline (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig) returns to A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for her 18th year. Favorite regional credits include My Fair Lady, Our Town, The Importance Being Earnest (Miss Prism and Lady Bracknell), Much Ado About Nothing, The Sound of Music, Crazy For You, The Grapes of Wrath, The Music Man (Eulalie Shinn), Big River (Widow Douglas) and Jekyll and Hyde (Lady Beaconsfield). CLO Cabaret roles: Nunsense (Rev. Mother) and Always...Patsy Cline (Louise Seger). TV: Outsiders (Sally Yates).

The cast is rounded out by a host of carolers and party guests.

Zanna Fredland (Caroler) has appeared locally with Pittsburgh Public Theater, Front Porch Theatricals, St. Vincent Summer Theatre, and has been a soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Zanna is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.

Lara Hayhurst (Caroler) has previously appeared in Xanadu and Legally Blonde: the Musical at Pittsburgh CLO. Broadway: Lady Day... starring Audra McDonald. Off-Broadway: Do Re Mi. National Tour: Bye Bye Birdie (Kim). Selected Regional: Flat Rock Playhouse, Sacramento Music Circus, Pittsburgh Public, Maine State, Fulton, Paramount Chicago and PMT. BFA Pace University, NYC.

Gavan Pamer (Caroler) Pittsburgh CLO: Over 25 shows including Damn Yankees (Van Buren), Man of La Mancha (Padre), 42nd Street (Andy Lee), Joseph. .. (Reuben), Carousel (Heavenly Friend). CLO Cabaret: Xanadu (PSM), My Way (Choreographer), Forever Plaid (PSM). PPT: ...Forum (Hysterium), The Fantasticks (Hucklebee), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), A Grand Night for Singing (Martin). Temple Theatre: 1776 (John Adams), Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), The Addams Family (Uncle Fester). Tours: Cats (Mungojerrie), A Chorus Line and 42nd Street.

Allan Snyder (Caroler) returns to A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL after appearing in the Pittsburgh CLO's 2018 summer season. Broadway/Off-Bway/Tour: Les Misérables, The Fantasticks, The Phantom of the Opera (often in the title role). Pittsburgh credits include CLO Cabaret, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Musical Theatre, St. Vincent Summer Theatre and Lincoln Park PAC.

Several Pittsburgh CLO Academy students will also take part in the holiday production

Joe Chufo (Turkey Boy) is 6th grade Musical Theater major at CAPA and studies theater at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy of Musical Theater. This is his second year appearing in A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Jack Engel (Cratchit Child) returns for his second year in A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL. Jack recently appeared as Nathan in the Pittsburgh CLO production of The Full Monty. Credits include: The Magic Flute, Honk, Peter Pan and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. Jack attends Shady Side Academy and is a student at the CLO Academy.

Rachel Grant (Cratchit Child) a fourth-grader at Trinity Christian School, has performed in Pittsburgh CLO Academy's productions of Jungle Book Kids and Peter Pan Jr.

Chloe Griffin (Cratchit Child) is 11 years old and has previously performed as Olive in Little Miss Sunshine and Annie in Annie with community theater companies.

David H. Bell (Original Director/Choreographer/Adapter ) currently the Director of the Music Theatre Program at Northwestern University and the Artistic Director of the American Music Theatre Project. Mr. Bell has worked on and off Broadway, at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and internationally. He was the Artistic Director of Ford's Theatre in Washington DC and the Associate Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta (with Kenny Leon). His work in Chicago has earned him 44 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations as a director, choreographer or author (winning 11). He has also been nominated for the Olivier Award (for the London Production of his Hot Mikado).

Scott Evans (Director) Scott directed David H. Bell's The Museum of Broken Relationships (written with Daniel Green) for the Eugene O'Neill National Music Theater Conference and Theatre Aspen. Off-Broadway, he was Associate Director for the NY Premiere of Ten Chimneys and the revival of The Silver Cord. In addition to his work in NY and at regional theatres, Scott is Artistic Director of Somerled Arts and directs for the American Music Theatre Project and the NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing program. Proud acting alum of Pittsburgh CLO.

McCrae Hardy (Musical Director) returns to A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL for his 23rd season. McCrae was Music Director/Conductor for the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, NC from 1984-2005 and Unto These Hills, 1977-2005. Currently, he is the Conductor for The Triangle Youth Symphony and Music Director for The Lost Colony. He holds the Raleigh Medal of Arts "for extraordinary achievement in the arts."

D Martyn Bookwalter (Set Designer) has shared this 26-year journey of A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL with David Bell and the Pittsburgh CLO, having designed the original production. He has designed more than 500 productions for theaters across the country. Mr. Bookwalter was the Art Director of the Fox TV show MADtv, for which he received eight consecutive Emmy nominations. Other awards include the 2001 Angstrom Lighting Lifetime Achievement Award from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, four Drama Critics Circle awards and a Sarah Siddons Award for Design Excellence.

Mariann Verheyen (Costume Designer) New York: NY Public Theater, Second Stage, Hudson Guild, Cathy Rigby's Peter Pan, 10 years commercial styling. Regionally: Alliance, Ford's, Huntington and Studio Arena, Missouri Repertory, Cincinnati Playhouse, plus Chicago, Alabama, Oregon and Colorado Shakespeare Theaters. Additionally Disney World's Animal Kingdom, Disney and Viking Cruise Lines and Sea World. Design awards in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Atlanta and 2 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Head of Costume Design, Boston University College of Fine Arts, School of Theater.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) Andy has designed almost 300 shows in his career. He has designed for every professional company in Pittsburgh and his work has appeared nationally and internationally. He has been an adjunct instructor for Point Park University for the last 20 years.

In what has become A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL tradition, local choirs will perform prior to select performances. Musical groups from all over the tri-state area have the opportunity to perform on the Byham Theater stage and take part in this special holiday celebration.

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