Faction of Fools Theatre Company Presents A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL, Now thru 12/23

Old Scrooge gets a new face as Faction of Fools Theatre Company presents A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL, a fun-filled Commedia dell'Arte adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL kicks off a thrilling fourth season for DC's Commedia dell'Arte company. Faction of Fools remounts its critically-acclaimed A COMMEDIA Romeo & Juliet in January 2013 and recreates a traditional Commedia piece, THE LADY BECOMES HIM, in April-May 2013. The Fools are the Helen Hayes Awards recipients of the 2012 John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company.

Masks, acrobatics, humbug, and holiday cheer abound in A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL, written and directed by Helen Hayes Award nominee Matthew R. Wilson.

When Pantalone Scrooge is visited by his old friend Dottore Marley, an unforgettable adventure of ghosts, yuletides, and omens sets the greedy old man on the rocky road to redemption. Dickens' unforgettable story joins the Fools' characteristic blend of historical Commedia archetypes, inventive new masks, and exciting ensemble physicality. Victorian London gets a facelift with a Commedia twist and a fresh new script. A COMMEDIA CHRISTMAS CAROL is a treat for the whole family and a hilarious, heart-felt celebration of the holiday season.

Artistic Director Matthew R. Wilson, one of America's leading experts in Commedia dell'Arte (Director of Faction's Hamlecchino and A Commedia Romeo and Juliet; Co-creator of dog & pony's Beertown), adapts and directs.Paul Reisman (STC, The Servant of Two Masters, Julius Caesar; Faction, R&J) plays a Pantalone Ebenezer Scrooge. Joel David Santner (STC: Dog in the Manger; Folger, Much Ado; Kennedy Center, Sheer Madness) plays the cheerfully diligent Bob Cratchit as inspired by the Commedia servant Arlecchino. The cast of ghosts, carolers, and townsfolk is played by the wonderfully versatile Julie Garner (Forum, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot), Tyler Herman (WSC, Night and Day; Imagination Stage, Perseus Bayou; Faction, The Mandrake), Toby Mulford (Roundhouse, Amadeus; Faction, Hamlecchino, R&J), Marianna Devenow (Faction, Hamlecchino), Sandra Mae Frank, Michael Sprouse, and Jessica Willoughby.

The Commedia dell'Arte tradition meets Dickens' 19th-century London, as imagined by some of DC's finest theatrical designers. Scenic Design by Gallaudet Theatre Coordinator Ethan Sinnott (Imagination's P.Nokio!;Faction's Hamlecchino), Lighting Design by Helen Hayes Awards winner Andrew Griffin (Folger; Woolly Mammoth; Synetic; Faction's Hamlecchino), Music by Jesse Terrill (Folger; Constellation; Faction's Hamlecchino, R&J), and new Masks conceived specifically for this production by Tara Cariaso (Waxing Moon Masks). Denise Umland (Rep Stage; Wolf Trap; WSC; Faction's Hamlecchino) designs the Costumes, with Sound by Thomas Sowers (HUB; Faction's R&J), Props by Sarah Conte (WSC; Faction's Hamlecchino, R&J), and Projections by Joel David Santner (DC Shorts' award-winning filmmaker).

See the Christmas Carol you've never seen in this foolish, festive fable. The performances will take place at Elstad Auditorium at Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave NE, WDC (Free Parking! Metro access: Red Line, NY Ave). Showtimes are tonight, November 29 through Sunday, December 23, 2012. Thursday, Friday, & Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm; Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm. Special Monday Night Performance: Monday, December 17 at 7:00 pm. Select performances ASL interpreted; No performance Sunday, December 9th.

Tickets are priced at $25 for regular admission; Students, Seniors, & Military: $15; Children 12 and under: $10. Also, tickets are available at the door, 1-800-838-3006, and www.factionoffools.org. The show is appropriate for ages 9 and up. Running time is approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.

For more information, visit http://www.factionoffools.org/ccc.

Photo Credit: ClintonBPhotography

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