Ford's Theatre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Closes 1/2/2011

The Ford's Theatre 2010-2011 season continues with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and adapted by Michael Wilson.  The production will close January 2, 2011. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Michael Baron returns to direct his original staging that captures the magic and joy of Dickens's classic. Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero returns to play Scrooge in the production The Washington Post hailed as "musically high-spirited" and "infectiously jolly."

"It is with great excitement that I return to Ford's Theatre to direct this ghost-infused Christmas story," said director Michael Baron. "In our telling, audiences will find imaginative special effects, familiar carols, and the ever-resonant themes of giving back and living with grace. My hope is that young audiences and adults alike will be motivated by the lessons of love, charity and compassion found in Dickens' story and extend those principles throughout the holiday season and into the New Year."

This production is made possible by Lead Sponsor AT&T; and Sponsors BAE Systems; Siemens; Occidental Petroleum Corporation; and General Motors. Ford's Theatre's 2010-2011 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 Ford's 2008 production of "The Civil War." Regional directorial credits include "LaChiusa's Ladies," "The Little Dog Laughed," "December Divas," "Lost Songs of Broadway I & II," "Sex Habits of American Women," "Songs for a New World" (at Strathmore) and "Ricky, Joe, and Michael John" for Signature Theatre, "School for Scandal" and "A Christmas Carol" for Trinity Repertory and productions for La Mama, Adventure Theatre and the Washington Savoyards. Baron holds an MFA from Trinity Repertory and has taught at American University, Brown University and College of the Holy Cross. Baron is currently Artistic Director of the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma.

THE CAST
Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge. Gero's many Washington credits include more than 70 productions for the Shakespeare Theatre Company including King Lear with Stacy Keach. Regional credits include productions for the Goodman Theatre, Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, Round House, Olney and Baltimore's Center Stage, among others. Gero is a 12-time nominee and four-time recipient of the Helen Hayes Award for roles in "Skylight" (Studio Theatre) and Shakespeare's "Henry IV," "Richard II" and "Macbeth" (Shakespeare Theatre Company). Additional credits include narration for The Discovery Channel, Science Channel and National Geographic. Gero has served on the teaching staff of George Mason University since 1990.

"A Christmas Carol" also features Christopher Bloch as Bob Cratchit, Felicia Curry as the ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, Anne Stone as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Drew Eshelman as Jacob Marley with Brooke Bloomquist, Michael Bunce, Steven Carpenter, Erin Driscoll, Jamie Eacker, Rick Hammerly, Helen Hedman, Amy McWilliams, Stephen F. Schmidt, Tom Story, Bligh Voth, Jacob Yeh, Carolyn Agan and Vishal Vaidya.

The young cast of "A Christmas Carol" includes Nicholas Snipes and Stephen Scholl as Tiny Tim with Rachel Boyd, Tori Carter, Colin Cech, Caleigh Davis, Breana Hogberg, Lexi Rhem, Leo Scheck, Rudy Schreiber, Katja Volker and Samara Watkins.

THE DESIGNERS
Michael Baron and his designers have invigorated Charles Dickens' timeless tale with abundant caroling and joyful dancing for the holiday season. Scenic Designer Lee Savage's striking iron work evokes London's Covent Garden marketplace. Alejo Vietti outfits the cast in festive Victorian costumes with playful designs for the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. 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, Dialects by Leigh Wilson Smiley and Choral Direction by Jay Crowder.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
There will be audio-described performances of "A Christmas Carol" on Saturday, December 11, at 2:30 p.m. and Tuesday, December 14, at 7:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted performances are Thursday, December 9, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 18, at 2:30 p.m.

Families with children ages five and up are invited to attend Tiny Tim's Christmas Celebration, a festive Ford's Theatre benefit including a matinee performance of "A Christmas Carol" and party to follow at Co Co. Sala (929 F Street) on Saturday, December 11. At this special family event, children can have their picture taken with Tiny Tim, decorate holiday chocolates and enjoy Co Co. Sala's famous hot chocolate. Adults can indulge in decadent holiday treats and a glass of bubbly from Washington's premiere chocolate boutique. Tickets are $200 each and include both the 2:30 p.m. performance of "A Christmas Carol" and admission to Tiny Tim's Christmas Celebration. For more information or to purchase tickets to this special event, please call (202) 434-9523 or visit www.fords.org/tiny-tim-event

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