Hartford Stage Announces the 15th Anniversary Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, 11/23-12/29

What do you get when you combine 3000 pounds of dry ice, 200 pounds of plastic snow, 33 presents under a tree, and a seven pound goose? You get 15 years and 661 total performances of Hartford Stage's thrilling and heartwarming holiday production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas.

Hartford Stage, under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts, today announced the full cast and creative team of the 15th Anniversary of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, by Charles Dickens, adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson, directed by Maxwell Williams, on stage November 23 to December 29.

Seen by over 287,000 people since its inception in 1998, Hartford Stage's A Christmas Carol has rapidly become the theatre's most popular production of all time and Connecticut's favorite yuletide entertainment.

Hartford Stage brings the magic of Dickens' heart-warming classic to life in this Connecticut holiday tradition. The tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, the heartless miser who discovers the true meaning of the holiday season after a Christmas Eve haunting, features all of Charles Dickens' beloved characters: Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Ghosts take flight and soar across the stage, carols are sung and snow falls capturing the spirit of a Victorian Christmas forever warming the hearts of adults and children alike.

Bill Raymond, currently on screen in Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, returns for his 13th season as Ebenezer Scrooge for all evening and weekend matinee performances. Raymond's credits include the films Summer of Sam and Michael Clayton, and the HBO series "The Wire." Gustave Johnson will again lead the talented cast as Scrooge for the student matinee performances.

Local youngsters Ethan Pancoast and Fred Thornley IV, both of whom appeared this summer in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel at Goodspeed Opera House, will rotate the role of Tiny Tim. Pancoast is a third grader at West Hill Elementary in Rocky Hill, and Thornley attends first grade at Noah Webster Micro Society Magnet School in Hartford.

The cast will also include Curtis Billings (Fred, Young Scrooge), Robert Hannon Davis (Bob Cratchit), Rebecka Jones (Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Cratchit), Sarah Killough (Wendy, Fred's Sister-in-Law, Begger Woman), JohAnna Morrison (Bettye Pidgeon, Spirit of Christmas Past, Old Josie), Michael Preston (Mr. Marvel), Alan Rust (Bert, Mr. Fezziwig, Spirit of Christmas Present), Noble Shropshire (Mrs. Dilber, Jacob Marley), Charlie Tirrell (First Solicitor, Undertaker), and GillIan Williams (Fred's Wife, Belle).

Also, from The Hartt School, Caitlin Blauvelt (Rich Lady), Josh Boscarino (Teen Scrooge), Dakota Dutcher (Dick Wilkins, Spirit of Christmas Future), Kelsey Flynn (Female Swing), Sarah Kozlowski (Ghostly Apparition, Citizen of London), Lars Lee (Male Swing), William Macke (Party Guest), Andrew McMath (Party Guest), Seth Peterson (Second Solicitor, Fiddler), Matthew Reddick (Lamplighter, Fiddler, Mr. Topper), Tara Reuter (Martha Cratchit), and Hannah Spacone (Nichola).

The Children of A Christmas Carol include Tiana N. Bailey, Tailanae Brantley, Lauren Cassot, Abi Conner, Meg Conner, Jacrhys Dalton, Rachael Dalton, Tyra Harris, Andrew Holland, Daniel Kemple, Daniel Madigan, Marisa McKee, Emily McLean, Abigail McMillian, AdIan McMillan, Dermot McMillan, Eric Stephen Murphy, Benjamin Olsen, Eliza Polukhin, Ankit Roy, Aleksei Sandals, Brandon Szep, John Henry Wenz, and Tilden Wilder.

A Christmas Carol features scenic design by Tony Straiges, costume design by Zach Brown, lighting design by Robert Wierzel, original music and sound design by John Gromada, choreography by Hope Clarke and musical direction by Ken Clark. Derric Harris will serve as dance coach; Sarah Killough asdance captain; Gillian Lane-Plescia as dialect coach; and Christina Pellegrini asyouth director.
Since its arrival in Hartford, A Christmas Carol has garnered rave reviews not only from audiences, but from critics as well. The Hartford Courant calls A Christmas Carol at Hartford Stage, "the most sought after holiday experience going . . . It widens the eyes and hearts of children while redelivering adults to the most magical Christmases of their lives." The Wall Street Journal raves, "Outstandingly well-performed - a merry medley of trap doors, flying ghosts and sound effects that tickles the senses."
The production runs November 23 to December 29. Evening performances are weeknights and weekends at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Sundays and selected weekdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. For specific schedule of performances or to buy tickets for A Christmas Carol, call the Hartford Stage box office at860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.