Ford's Theatre Presents Annual A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The Ford's Theatre 2015-2016 season continues with A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and adapted by Michael Wilson, November 19 to December 31, 2015. Celebrated Washington stage actor Edward Gero returns for the seventh year to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the production The Washington Post hailed as "musically high-spirited" and "infectiously jolly."

Conceived by director Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens's Yuletide classic with abundant caroling and cheerful dancing for the holiday season. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.

"We return each holiday season to the Dickensian world of Ebenezer Scrooge, and yet to me, the story always resonates in new ways" said Ford's Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. "There is something inherently timeless about the hope of new beginnings, the call to renew our connection with loved ones and the reminder to share our abundance with those less fortunate. We hope that those who experience A Christmas Carol for the first time and those who return again and again, will carry its lessons throughout the year."

A Christmas Carol is made possible by Lead Sponsors AT&T and Time Warner Cable; and Sponsors General Motors Company, Southern Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation. The Ford's Theatre 2015-2016 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: LaChiusa's Ladies; The Little Dog Laughed; A Year with Frog and Toad (Helen Hayes Award); December Divas; Lost Songs of Broadway I and II; Sex Habits of American Women; Songs for a New World; 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, a role he originated and has played at Ford's since 2009. He also was featured as Horace Vandergelder in the Ford's production of Hello, Dolly! Gero's many Washington credits include the role of Antonin Scalia in Arena's production of The Originalist, the Goodman/Arena production of RED and more than 75 productions for the Shakespeare Theatre Company including King Lear with Stacy Keach, among others. His New York credits include Bull Durham for Musical Lab, and productions for Classic Stage Company and South Street Theatre. Gero's regional credits include productions with Baltimore's Center Stage, Goodman Theatre, Round House, Signature Theatre, Studio Theatre and others. Gero is a 15-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 Carolyn Agan as Belle, Michael Bunce as Bob Cratchit, Felicia Curry as the ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, Anne Stone as the Ghost of Christmas Present and James Konicek as Jacob Marley, with William Diggle, Erin Driscoll, Lauren Du Pree, Maria Egler, Kristen Garaffo, Ella Gatlin, Rick Hammerly, Gregory Maheu, Kevin McAllister, Calvin McCullough, Amy McWilliams, Jon Hudson Odom and Stephen F. Schmidt.

The young cast of A Christmas Carol (roles rotate every other performance) includes Jovani Morales-Shackelford and Harrison Wright as Tiny Tim, with Franco Cabanas, Katelynn Diuguid, Lottie Doughty, Catalina Laje, Charlize Lefler, Camden Lippert, Nicholas McCatty, Noelle Robinson, Cole Sitilides and Eli Schulman.

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

There will be audio-described performances of A Christmas Carol on December 1, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. and December 12, 2015, at 2 p.m. A captioned performance is scheduled for December 13, 2015, at 2 p.m. A sign-interpreted performance is December 17, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.

For the last six years, the cast 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 $461,500 for local charities like Bread for the City, Covenant House Washington, Martha's Table, Miriam's Kitchen and So Others Might Eat. This year's Washington charity recipients will be announced by Nov. 16.

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