Hartford Stage's 15th Anniversary of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Begins Today, 11/23

Hartford Stage's 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, will feature 12 performers from the Hartt School at the University of Hartford.

The Hartt School student cast members for A Christmas Carol include Caitlin Blauvelt actor training major from Hillsborough, NJ; Josh Boscarino actor training major from Ellington, CT; Dakota Dutcher musical theatre major from Carson City, NV; Kelsey Flynn musical theatre major from Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Sarah Kozlowski musical theatre major from Coventry, CT; Lars Lee musical theatre major from Minneapolis, MN; William Macke musical theatre major from Simsbury, CT; Andrew McMath musical theatre major from Scituate, MA; Seth Peterson actor training major from South Bristol, ME;Matthew Reddick actor training major from Saratoga Springs, NY; Tara Reuter English literature and actor training major from Fairfield, CT; and Hannah Spacone musical theatre major from Providence, RI.

Through Hartford Stage's Partnership in Training with the Hartt School, Hartford Stage is recognized by Actor's Equity Association as an Academic Theatre, and is one of only two professional theatres in such a partnership with a BFA program. It is a unique collaboration, where students gain valuable knowledge from workshops, master classes, and the Career Preparation class taught by Hartford Stage staff, as well as experience on stage in A Christmas Carol andother Hartford Stage performances.

Director Maxwell Williams said, "We're very excited about our unique Partnership in Training with the Hartt School. I'm personally very proud to be a graduate, and it seems like the training and the program grows stronger and stronger each year. With A Christmas Carol as the centerpiece, we've now also had Actor Training and Music Theater students perform in many of our major productions, from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams to To Kill a Mockingbird. Hartt grads are now regularly being nominated for Tonys, Obies, you name it - and we're thrilled to continue to deepen the relationship between our institutions."

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. Recommended for ages 9 and up.

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 at 860-527-5151 or visit www.hartfordstage.org.

Press/Opening Night is at 7:30 p.m. on November 30. 

Half-Price Children's Tickets - for all Thanksgiving weekend performances, November 23-25. Offer expires November 23.

Family 4-Packs - Premium Gold Seats (2 adults, 2 children) - $199.50. Save $57.50. And Gold Seats (2 adults, 2 children) - $174.50. Save $52.50. Offer expires November 23.

A Christmas Carol Experience - Make your-child's experience extra special with our A Christmas Carol Experience package. Enjoy unlimited hot cocoa, fill up a bag at our Candy Bar before the show and decorate a cookie at intermission. $10 per person. December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Market Days - Come and join Hartford Stage for some shopping and a show! Local vendors will showcase unique gift items in our lobby before the show, during intermission and after the show. Free to the public. December 9, doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Behind the Magic - The Hartford Stage production staff hosts a behind the scenes look at all the amazing special effects that make ghosts soar through the air, snow fall, and bring our beloved production of A Christmas Carol To life! A special look at the world of technical "magic" the whole family can enjoy. $5 per person. December 16 at 4 p.m.

Family Fun Night - This is the night to bring kids! Before the show, our spooky ghosts will greet and entertain. After the show, get autographs from all your favorite characters. Free with show ticket. December 20 at 6:45 p.m.

The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre. Founded in 1920, Hartt has been an integral part of the University of Hartford since its charter merged the then Hartt School of Music, the Hartford Art School, and Hillyer College to create the University in 1957. 2010 markEd Hartt's 90th year of providing world class performing arts education to students in Greater-Hartford and around the world. With more than 400 concerts, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions a year, performance is central to Hartt's curriculum. For more information about The Hartt School, visit www.hartford.edu/hartt.

Hartford Stage, since its founding in 1963, has been known for innovative revivals of classics and the development of important new works, including 65 World or American premieres. Recent work includes Quiara Alegria Hudes' Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Horton Foote's The Orphans' Home Cycle which had a celebrated run at the Signature Theatre in New York during the 2009-2010 season; a landmark production of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird; the premieres of Michael Kramer's Divine Rivalry; and Daniel Beaty's Resurrection (later retitled Through the Night, which had a successful run off-Broadway during the 2010-11 season). In 1998 the theatre launched an unprecedented ten-year retrospective of Tennessee Williams, which included the premiere of three plays. Other new work includes the premieres of Eve Ensler's Necessary Targets, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Matthew Barber's Enchanted April (which transferred to Broadway), Matthew Lombardo's Tea at Five, and many others. The theatre has earned numerous distinguished honors, including a Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Margo Jones Award, OBIE awards, New York Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards. In 2005 Hartford Stage was awarded The Hartford Courant's Tapestry Award recognizing its outstanding work in diversity, and in 2008 it was awarded the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder's Award recognizing its excellence in building community in Greater Hartford. Hartford Stage is currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts.

Photo Credit: T. Charles Erickson