Ford's Theatre Announces Full Casting for 35th Annual Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Ford's Theatre Society presents its 35th-annual production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, November 17 to December 31, 2016. This "musically high-spirited" and "infectiously jolly" (The Washington Post) production is adapted by Michael Wilson, directed by Michael Baron and features Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. The production captures the magic and joy of Dickens's Yuletide classic with abundant caroling, spooky stage tricks and cheerful dancing for the holiday season.

"In watching Craig Wallace step into the role of Scrooge, I've discovered how this 170-year-old tale still has a lot to teach us," said Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. "Whether you've heard Dickens's story before or are bringing young children for the first time, its universal message assures us that it's never too late to live one's life with compassion and generosity."

"I've come to cherish the challenging and enriching roles I've performed at Ford's, and the relationships forged with the amazing staff and artists," said actor Craig Wallace. "I look forward to navigating Scrooge's journey from who he was and is to who he becomes."

A Christmas Carol is made possible by Lead Sponsors AT&T and Charter Communications; and Sponsors General Motors Company, Southern Company and Liberty Mutual. The Ford's Theatre 2016-2017 Season Sponsors are The Home Depot and Chevron.

THE DIRECTOR

Michael Baron made his Ford's Theatre directorial debut with the 2009 production of A Christmas Carol. He also served as associate director of the 2008 Ford's production of The Civil War. Regional directorial credits include: The Little Dog Laughed; James and the Giant Peach; A Year with Frog and Toad (2012 Helen Hayes Award); December Divas; Lost Songs of Broadway I and II; Sex Habits of American Women; A Christmas Carol for Trinity Repertory; and productions for La Mama and the Washington Savoyards. Baron holds a MFA from Trinity Repertory and has taught at American University, Brown University and College of the Holy Cross. Baron is Producing Artistic Director of the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.

THE CAST

A Shakespearian actor and theatre professor, Craig Wallace was featured recently at Ford's in Jessica Dickey's world-premiere play The Guard, a performance nominated for the Helen Hayes Awards' James MacArthur Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play. Wallace also starred at Ford's as Hoke Colburn in the 2014 production of Driving Miss Daisy, as Frederick Douglass in the 2012 world-premiere play Necessary Sacrifices, and in productions of Jitney, Sabrina Fair, The Laramie Project and Our Town. Other recent credits include Satchmo at the Waldorf for Mosaic Theatre Company, All the Way at Arena Stage, Father Comes Home from the Wars (Parts 1, 2 and 3) and Stage Kiss at Round House Theatre, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Mary Stuart at Folger Theatre.

A Christmas Carol also features Lauren Williams as Belle, Michael Bunce as Bob Cratchit, Felicia Curry as the ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, Barbara Pinolini as the Ghost of Christmas Present and James Konicek as Jacob Marley, with Jonathan Atkinson, Ryan Burke, Maria Egler, Kristen Garaffo, Rick Hammerly, Yesenia Iglesias, Marina Jansen, Eben K. Logan, Gregory Maheu, Calvin McCullough, Amy McWilliams, Stephen F. Schmidt and Jaysen Wright.

The young cast of A Christmas Carol (roles rotate every other performance) includes Jovani Morales-Shackelford and Nathan Pham as Tiny Tim, with Franco Cabanas, Tad Clifton, Ella Coulson, Grace Doughty, Lottie Doughty, Lindsey Gattuso, Jack Kearney, Reid Murphy, Dulcie Pham and Noelle Robinson.

THE DESIGNERS

Designs for A Christmas Carol include Scenic Designer Lee Savage's striking iron work, which evokes London's Covent Garden marketplace. The cast is outfitted in Alejo Vietti's festive Victorian costumes. The design team also includes Lighting Design by Rui Rita, Original Music and Sound Design by Josh Schmidt, Choreography by Shea Sullivan, Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe, Choral Direction by Jay Crowder and Dialects by Rachel Hirshorn.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

Audio-described performances of A Christmas Carol are December 6, at 7:30 p.m. and December 17, 2016, at 2 p.m. A captioned performance is scheduled December 10, at 2 p.m. A sign-interpreted performance is December 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Free First Preview

In an effort to broaden access to our theatre programming, Ford's Theatre Partners with TodayTix to give out free tickets for the first preview of each mainstage production in our 16-17 season. A Christmas Carol's Free First Preview is November 17, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. One-hundred tickets will be available via the TodayTix app lottery, beginning November 11. App is available in Apple App Store, the Google Play or Amazon AppStore. Visit www.fords.org/free for lottery entry details.

For the last seven years, the company of A Christmas Carol has devoted time and energy to raising money for Washington charities dedicated to eradicating homelessness, hunger and poverty. Their efforts coupled with our audience's generous support have raised more than $551,000 for local charities like N Street Village, Bread for the City, Covenant House Washington, Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen and So Others Might Eat. This year's Washington charity recipient will be announced by Nov. 17.

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