Key City Public Theatre to Present Two Holiday Shows Inspired by the Works of Charles Dickens

Key City Public Theatre will kick off two hilarious holiday shows showcasing the work of Charles Dickens with a hodgepodge of humbug and hugger mugger perfect for the family

TWO Charles Dickens-inspired shows make their premieres at Key City Public Theatre. First up, What the Dickens?! written by Doug Given with additional material by David H. Schroeder. Shenanigans ensue as infamous business partners Scrooge and Marley now run a vaudeville theatre in this new comedy. The show runs November 30 - December 23, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7 p.m., Sundays at 1:30 p.m. New: A block of pay-what-you-wish seats are now available at EVERY mainstage show. Our ASL Interpreted Performance is Sunday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m. with a reserved section at pay-what-you wish pricing to promote access for all.

Ring in 2024 with Allen Fitzpatrick's Great Expectations: a one-man show featuring a performance by Allen Fitzpatrick as ALL the characters from the Dickens' masterpiece. This solo show promises to transport you to 19th century England where you'll follow the story of Pip and his journey from boyhood to manhood. For more information, call the box office: 360-385-KCPT (5278).

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BIOGRAPHIES 

Allen Fitzpatrick (ACTOR/PLAYWRIGHT of GREAT EXPECTATIONS) who brought his adaptation of A CHRISTMAS Carol To KCPT in 2021 and 2022, returns on December 30 and 31, 2023 with a brand new show -- his adaptation of Charles Dicken's GREAT EXPECTATIONS. Once again alone on stage, Allen will vividly create all of Dickens' characters as he relates the entire exciting story in an action-packed 83 minutes. Allen has been associated with KCPT for eight years. He appeared frequently as an actor here, most recently in THE PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS. He directed ANNAPURNA, SEA MARKS, and THE CANTERVILLE GHOST for KCPT. Allen has been a fixture in the Seattle theatre scene since 2005. Before that, he spent nearly 30 years in NYC where he was featured in nine Broadway shows (including LES MISERABLES, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Memphis, 42nd Street, Driving Miss Daisy, Damn Yankees, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and Sweet Smell of Success) and many Off-Broadway productions. He starred opposite Petula Clark in Sunset Boulevard, and opposite Patti LuPone in Passion for which he shared an Emmy). Allen has acted in roughly 250 plays at Playwrights Horizons, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, National Theatre, Actors Theatre Louisville, Cincinnati Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Wilma, Olney, Ford's Theatre, Goodspeed, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare. His national tours include Six Degrees of Separation, Guys and Dolls, Disney's The Little Mermaid, and many others. A Broadwayworld nominee for his recent performance in HELLO DOLLY!, and a Footlight Award winner for his portrayal of Sweeney Todd, his more than fifty Seattle appearances include roles at ACT and Intiman, plus 28 shows at the 5th Avenue. He is the founding Artistic Director of the renowned Icicle Creek New Play Festival, which operated from 2007-2018. Visit: www.allenfitzpatrick.weebly.com

WHAT THE DICKENS?! CAST & CREATIVE

BRENDAN CHAMBERS (BOB CRACHIT) was last seen performing in REDD as Don Hunter. Other notable KCPT performances include Oswald in NEW MOON: A DOG'S TALE, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR as Falstaff, and SPIRIT OF THE YULE (2017-19) as Nephew Fred and Rumrunner. He holds a BFA in acting from Carnegie Mellon University and a master's degree in educational theater from NYU. Brendan is KCPT's Artistic Associate and a proud member of Actor's Equity. Brendan thanks his family, wife Maggie, son River, and pup Kode for all their support.

CHRISTA HOLBROOK (MRS. CRATCHIT) has starred in KCPT's hit musicals Cole Porter REVUE, DADDY LONG LEGS, and the award-winning MURDER BALLAD and SPIRIT OF THE YULE. Featured roles at KCPT include: MEN ON BOATS, THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, among others. For ten years, she has served as KCPT's Production Manager, supervising dozens of productions. Christa, her husband Chad and their dog Gigi reside in Port Hadlock. She is a PTHS graduate and holds a BA in Theatre Studies from Central Washington University.

Paul Kiernan (SCROOGE) is a guy from Boston. He was a writer with The Walt Disney World Co. for a while. Roamed around and did some acting, some directing, and general nonsense. He continues to do things he shouldn't. However, he is eating solids and drinking fluids. Not in that order.

TOMOKI SAGE (NEPHEW FRED) started working with Key City Public Theatre in 2015 playing the role of Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and has since appeared in quite a few KCPT productions. Born and raised, Tomoki is a person. He has lived all of his life up until now and is currently looking forward to what is happening. All said and done, he has enjoyed being a part of things and plans to continue. You can, to a degree, find out what else he is up to by following him on Instagram: @tomokisage

DENISE WINTER (MARLEY) returns to the Key City Public Theatre stage following performances including: ANNAPURNA (2018), CINDERELLA (2014), THE EIGHT: REINDEER MONOLOGUES (2010). Prior to arriving in Port Townsend, Winter appeared onstage with Children's Theatre Company (Minneapolis, MN), Hartford Stage Company (Hartford, CT), and as a voice actor for Nickelodeon's national tour of BLUES CLUES LIVE!, among others. For six years, she appeared as Emcee at the renowned Port Townsend Wearable Art Show.

AMANDA STEURER-ZAMORA (DIRECTOR) received her BFA from New York University where she attended the Stella Adler Conservatory. In 2012 she was accepted into the Lincoln Center Directors Lab where she explored comedy with 49 Directors from around the world. Collaborations with KCPT began in 2008 with SCROOGE THE MUSICAL. She also directed MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, TROJAN WOMEN, and last summer's CONSTELLATIONS in the Park. More recently Ms. Steurer-Zamora finds herself enjoying the roles of mother to Isabel and a #realtorabouttown with Windemere Port Townsend. She is in her 2nd year on the KCPT Board and is overjoyed to be once again directing.

DOUG GIVEN (PLAYWRIGHT) is proud to be premiering his first full-length play at KCPT. Most recently, his one-act THE DINNER'S THE THING was featured in Sips & Scripts. Prior to that, TEA, THE VORTEX, INTELLIGENCE, STAY TUNED..., and OEDIPUS AT DELPHI were all featured in PlayFest. Doug got his start writing plays at the Omaha Theatre Company for Young People, where his plays DRAMATIC IRONY, THE MOST EXCELLENT AND LAMENTABLE TRAGEDY OF HUMAN EXISTENCE, and FELIS were performed as part of their annual Young Playwrights Festival. He is grateful for the support of his family and friends.

BRY KIFOLO (STAGE MANAGER) is so excited to be a part of the KCPT family as resident Production Stage Manager. Some of her most recent work has been stage managing and writing THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, and creating the intricate sound designs for NEW MOON: A DOG'S TALE and AROUND THE WORLD IN LESS THAN 80 DAYS. As a former KCPT Artistic Apprentice (2018/19), Bry participated in many roles on and off stage during her tenure. Bry thanks her husband, Nate for his continued support and love, and her dog, Harper, for always being ready for post-show walk-ies and cuddles.

TERRY TENNESEN (SET DESIGNER) has worked for KCPT as set designer and scenic artist for numerous productions including 2022's ALWAYS PATSY CLINE. Other credits include Cole Porter REVUE, ANNAPURNA, THE BOOK CLUB PLAY, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE, 4,000 MILES, KING LEAR, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Jacques Brel, TWELFTH NIGHT, DRACULA, BARK! THE MUSICAL, and THE SOUP IS SERVED. He is an animator/ illustrator/filmmaker with over 30 years of experience. He studied scenic design at Pacific Lutheran University and has designed sets for college productions and television commercials.

CORINNE ELYSSE ADAMS (COSTUME DESIGNER) is a poet, storycollector, editor, traditional musician, translator, and costumer. She holds a BA from Sophia University in Tokyo and a master's in poetry from the University of Edinburgh. With the help of a generous grant from the Elizabeth George Foundation, she is working on the research, collection, and translation of pre-war and wartime Japanese women poets. She currently works for KCPT as a costume designer, and spends much of her free time mending and restoring antique and vintage garments.

Karen Anderson (LIGHTING DESIGNER) has been acting and designing lights for KCPT off and on for over 10 years. She is happy to be back in the theatre again. Karen lives in the forests of Port Townsend with her partner, Jake, and her senora, Leila.

TAYLOR THOMAS MARSH (SOUND DESIGNER) is a Port Townsend-based sound engineer and theatre-maker. She began her career in 2016 at College of the Atlantic in Maine with a B.A. in Human Ecology. Most recently, she's worked predominantly in the world of live sound, engineering shows at Key City Public Theatre, Finnriver Cidery, Wooden Boat Festival, Concerts on the Dock, Marrowstone Winery, and Olympic Pride Festival. Memorable credits include SOUVENIRS FROM EDEN, THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW and writing, directing and sound designing her original piece FURTHER ADO.

JOLENE SUNDING (RESIDENT HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGNER) is elated to continue tossing hair, shaping wigs, and using the magic of makeup as part of KCPT's artistic team for the 2023-2024 season. Her work was featured during 2022-2023's season for ALWAYS, PATSY CLINE, NEW MOON: A DOG'S TALE, THE PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS and REDD. She finds contributing her skills as a salon owner/operator for 15 years rewarding. An artist in many disciplines, Jolene opened Wild Madrona Studio & Gallery, 913 Water St., PT featuring her art on paintings, cards, & puzzles. Jolenesunding.com

MARGIE McDONALD (PROP ARTIST) was first introduced to theater design at KCPT in 2018 for solo performance Akuyoe Graham SPIRIT AWAKENING, a design she rebuilt in a larger version for a 2021 L.A. filming of the play, and continued with FROZEN BORDERS in 2019, a collaboration with poet Damond Arrindell. Other KCPT credits include: Props & Effects for THE CANTERVILLE GHOST, Sets for MEN ON BOATS and AROUND THE WORLD IN LESS THAN 80 DAYS; Specialty costumes for NEW MOON: A DOG'S TALE and REDD. Margie also designed and constructed Multiverse, the wood wall in the KCPT lobby.

MICHELLE CESMAT (RESIDENT SCENIC ARTIST) is a Port Townsend-based Artist and Illustrator. An avid theatre-goer and previous volunteer at KCPT, she is honored to work on the set for WHAT THE DICKENS?!. Her work as Resident Scenic Artist also includes ALWAYS... PATSY CLINE, NEW MOON: A DOG'S TALE, THE PEOPLE DOWNSTAIRS, REDD, and THE CANTERVILLE GHOST. Michelle holds a B.A. from Western Washington University, Art Studio (major), Art History and Anthropology (double minor) and holds an Illustration Certificate. She is passionate about producing art, writing, culture, art history and exploring the outdoors. Michellecesmat.com

DENISE WINTER is in her 19th season with Key City Public Theatre where she brings more than 35 years of professional theater experience to her role as the company's first artistic director. Under her leadership, KCPT has garnered numerous awards and honors for artistic merit including National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWA, WESTAF, and Humanities WA grants; Five "Best Theatre" Awards (KITSAP SUN A&E); Port Townsend Mainstreet's 2017 Collaborator of the Year Award. In 2018, Winter represented WA state women theater professionals at the Berkshire Leadership Summit in Lenox, MA. She served on the artistic staff of six Tony Award-winning theaters including Hartford Stage Company, Long Wharf Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company, and The Alley Theatre and helped create Broadway productions of THE CIVIL WAR, JACKIE: AN AMERICAN LIFE, OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD, and STANDUP TRAGEDY. Winter has toured 48 states, Canada, and China, with New York City Opera, The Children's Theatre Company, American Repertory Theatre, Clear Channel/Nickelodeon, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes. For KCPT, she has directed, choreographed and starred in over three dozen mainstage productions comprising many west coast, pacific northwest and world premieres. A graduate of Kenyon College, Winter has proudly performed as a member of the theatrical unions Actors' Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists, and American Guild of Variety Artists.

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