Kurt Beattie and Peter Crook Lead ACT's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Now thru 12/29

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents its 38th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is directed by John Langs with Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with first timer Peter Crook making his first appearance in the role. Also new to the cast, G. Valmont Thomas, who's performance in "Master Harold and the Boys," just earned him the 2013 Gregory Award for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Thomas recently returned to Seattle after a long stint at Oregon Shakespeare Festival and will take on the charismatic role of Spirit 2 (Ghost of Christmas Present).

Gregory Falls' highly-acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol follows the original Dickens tale and takes audiences along on Ebenezer Scrooge's transformational journey. A Seattle holiday tradition since 1976, A Christmas Carol tells the story of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who refuses to get into the holiday spirit until three ghostly visitors lead him on a trip through Christmases past, present and future.

"A Christmas Carol here at ACT is a fast-paced highly entertaining 90-minute shot in the arm of Christmas spirit. Not only is it a wonderful family tradition for people in the Northwest, but it delivers a much needed moment of escape from an increasingly frenzied time of year," says Associate Artistic Director John Langs. "It helps restore people's hope in the holiday and reminds people that the gift of giving and kindness towards your neighbor are at the heart of the Christmas season."

A Christmas Carol runs tonight, November 29 through December 29, 2013.

Artistic Team:

John Langs - Director

Shelley Henze Schermer - Scenic Designer

Deb Trout - Costume Designer

Michael Wellborn - Lighting Designer

Brendan Patrick Hogan - Sound Designer and Music Director

JR Welden - Stage Manager

Erin B. Zatloka - Assistant Stage Manager

Ruth Eitemiller - Production Assistant

Alyssa Keene - Dialect Coach

Adam Stern - Composer

Wade Madsen - Choreographer

Ann Ciecko - Assistant Lighting Designer

Cast:

Justin Alley (BOB CRATCHIT)

Sydney Andrews (SPIRIT 1)

Kurt Beattie (SCROOGE)

Ian Bell (MR FEZZIWIG)

Robert Bergin (MIDDLE SCROOGE)

Hillary Clemens (BELLE)

Peter Crook (SCROOGE)

Bradford Farwell (MARLEY)

Juliette Jones (BELINDA CRATCHIT/FAN)

Nate Kelderman (PETER CRATCHIT/YOUNG SCROOGE)

Jocelyn Maher (MRS FEZZIWIG)

Fabiano Nardone (CHARLES CRATCHIT/MASTER FEZZIWIG)

Anna Ostrem (TINY TIM)

Morgan Rowe (MRS CRATCHIT)

Matt Schwader (FRED)

Lila Shroff (ELIZABETH CRATCHIT/LIL FEZZIWIG)

G. Valmont Thomas (SPIRIT 2)

John Ulman (GENTLEMEN'S UNDERSTUDY)

Kayla Walker (LADIES' UNDERSTUDY)

Akhi Vadari (TURKEY BOY)

Noelle Whitman (MARTHA CRATCHIT)

Special Events:

Backstage Tour of A Christmas Carol

December 14 at 11:30

Tickets $20 (20 person maximum)

- Join us for a backstage of A Christmas Carol! You'll visit the Allen Theatre, production rooms, and other related spaces to get a sneak peek behind the scenes of ACT's annual holiday tradition. John Langs, ACT's Associate Artistic Director, and director of this year's A Christmas Carol will lead you through exclusive access into the making of the show.

Dickens' A Christmas Carol Seminar

December 7 at 3:00pm

Tickets $20

- Warm up a December afternoon with hot cider and an insightful journey into the history of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Artistic Director (this year's Scrooge performer) Kurt Beattie and Dr. Richard Dunn, Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington, will lead a discussion on the historical context of the story, and insights gleaned from ACT's long history with the work.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre presents A Christmas Carol at ACT Theatre, The Allen Arena, 700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101. The 90-minute feel-good holiday tradition, by Charles Dickens, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. Previews start: November 29th; Press Opening: December 1st 4:00pm; Closing: December 29th. Ticket prices: Children: $27-42 / Adults: Starts at $27 / Group discounts www.acttheatre.org (206) 292-7676. Prices listed on website, prices change based on availability.

Notice: In the spirit of giving, ACT is teaming up with the Pike Market Food Bank to help with their annual food and toy drives. Patrons can bring non-perishable foods and new unwrapped toys to the theatre to give to charity.

Located in the heart of downtown Seattle and serving a population of curious, open-minded, and brave audiences, ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is the only theatre in Seattle dedicated to producing contemporary work with promising playwrights and local performing artists since 1965. A theatre of new ideas, ACT serves as a cultural engine that makes plays, dance, music, and film that touch us through its annual Mainstage play series and Central Heating Lab program. Because contemporary life demands examination, ACT is driven to inspire and strengthen our diverse community through works that advance our understanding of human life. With more than 120,000 people who attend shows annually, ACT is an interactive community where artists and the public witness, contemplate, and engage in dialogue on today's thought-provoking issues, ideas and art, presented with intelligence, insight, and humor.

Pictured: Kurt Beattie as Scrooge. Photo Credit: Chris Bennion.

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