Photo Flash: First Look at A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Portland Playhouse

Portland Playhouse's fun, festive, family favorite A CHRISTMAS CAROL transforms the Hampton Opera Center into Dickensian England, directed by Brian Weaver and Cristi Miles for a run through December 30. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

At first glance, A Christmas Carol - a mainstay of Portland Playhouse's season five years running - seems to stray from their purpose of presenting diverse audiences with artistically forward productions. But be immersed in the hour and a half of music packed Dickensian storytelling and you'll realize what happens in the space between the traditional tale of Ebenezer Scrooge on his transformative journey of redemption and the audiences that fill the theatre is nothing short of magical.

"For us, A Christmas Carol provides an amazing access point," says co-founder and Artistic Director Brian Weaver. "Maybe this is the one play a family sees together every year. Maybe it is someone's first experience with theatre, like it was mine. My grandmother took me to see A Christmas Carol when I was five, and it was my first introduction to the wonder of live theatre. Why not make this the most engaging and magical experience possible?"

It is indeed, many a Portlander's first experience in the theatre...and many come back year after year. There are changes from season to season to be sure, but what remains the same is the intimate, heart swelling experience, the live music and song performed by a strong, diverse cast of professional actors, members of the Portland Playhouse Apprentice company and shining new stars in the roles of the Cratchit children.

New for the production this year will be the staging of A Christmas Carol in the round. Due to major renovations happening at Portland Playhouse's theatrical home in the former Mt. Sinai Baptist Church building in the King neighborhood, the show will be taking up residence in the Hampton Opera Center's performance space. Patrons can expect the fun, festive, family-friendly favorite they love, all easily accessible by car, streetcar, max, bus, and bike on the east bank of the Willamette River at the base of the Tilikum Crossing.

CAST:

Ebenezer Scrooge - Todd Van Voris*

Young Scrooge, Collecting Man 2, Molly, Topper, Businessman 3 - Eric Little *

Bob Cratchit, Mr. Fezziwig, Businessman 2 - Julian Remulla

Ghost Present, Fred, Businessman 1 - Charles Grant

Mrs. Cratchit, Edna, Old Joe - Claire Rigsby

Ghost Past, Belle, Collecting Man 1, Hermione - Rachel Lewis

Marley, Mrs. Dilber - Sarah Smith

Dick Wilkins, Ship's Watch, Undertaker's Man - Kristopher Adams

Fan, Elizabeth (Fred's wife) - Kayla Kelly

Mrs. Fezziwig, Martha Cratchit - Tina Mascaro

Cratchit Children (Note: actors playing the Cratchit children share the roles and performance duties):

Belinda, Maid, Fezziwig Daughter

- Saoirse Brecht (Dec. 3,6,8,10,13,15,16m, 17, 20,22m, 26e, 27, 28, 30e)
- Maeve Z. O'Connor (Dec. 2,5,7,9,12,14,16e, 19,21,22e,23e,24,26m,27e, 29

Willie, Fezziwig Daughter

- Alia Cohn (Dec. 5,6,12,13,16m,17,20,22m,23m, 16e, 27m, 28)
- Chiara Rothenberg (Dec. 2,3,7-10,14,15,16e, 19,21,22e, 23e, 24, 25,,27e, 29,30e)

Boy Scrooge, Peter, Turkey Boy, Miner family

- Atticus Salmon (Dec. 2,3,8,9, 10-23)
- Phillip Wells (Dec. 5-7, 22m, 24-30)

Young Boy, Alice, Turkey Girl, Miner family

- Serelle Strickland (Dec. 7,9,12,14,16m, 17, 20, 22m, 23-28)
- Clark ( Dec. 3,6,8,10,13,15, 16e, 19,22,21e, 29,30)

Tiny Tim, Miner family

- Rainbows Leoniak (Dec. 2,6,8,13,15,16e, 19-21,. 22e, 23e, 26m, 27e)
- Margot Weaver (Dec. 3,5,7,9, 10,12,14,16m, 17,22m,23m,24,26e,27m, 28-30)

CREATIVE TEAM:

Director - Brian Weaver

Director - Cristi Miles

Assistant Director - Benjamin Tissell

Music Director - Eric Little

Stage Manager - David Levine

Asst Stage Manager - Lilo Alfaro

Scenic & Lighting Designer - Dan Meeker

Original Costume Designer  - Ashton Hull

Costume Coordinator  - Debra Bruneaux

Properties Designer  - Rachel Schmerge

Dance Consultant  - Mary Devlin

Technical Director  - Christian Andrews

Carpenter - Breydon Little

A CHRISTMAS CAROL features adaptation and original lyrics by Rick Lombardo, original music by Anna Lackaff and Rick Lombardo, and music arrangements by Anna Lackaff.

For tickets and more information, visit www.portlandplayhouse.org.

*Appears Courtesy Actors' Equity Association

Photo credit: Brud Giles

Margot Weaver and Julian Remulla

Todd Van Voris

Todd Van Voris

Sarah Smith

 

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