Patrick Page to Star as 'Scrooge' in Pittsburgh CLO's A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL

Pittsburgh CLO has announced casting for the 25thAnniversary production of A Musical Christmas Carol, this December at the Byham Theater. This production will feature exciting new set elements and special effects.

An incredible group of talented newcomers and Pittsburgh CLO veterans has been assembled for this favorite holiday treat! This year's production will star Broadway veteran and Pittsburgh CLO alum Patrick Page as Ebenezer Scrooge; a role he is reprising after playing Scrooge at Madison Square Garden. CLO will also welcome the creator of this adaptation, David H. Bell, to lead this production into a new era.

Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.

ABOUT THE CAST:

Patrick Page (Ebenezer Scrooge) returns to Pittsburgh CLO after starring as Fagin in Oliver! Broadway: Valentina in Casa Valentina, Buckley in Time to Kill, Adult Men in Spring Awakening, De Guiche in Cyrano De Bergerac, Green Goblin in Spider-Man, Henry VIII in Man for All Seasons, The Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Decius Brutus in Julius Caesar, Scar in The Lion King, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, and The Kentucky Cycle. Other New York: Cymbeline in Cymbeline in Central Park, Max in The Sound of Music at Carnegie Hall, Marley in Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden, Cardinal in The Duchess of Malfi at Red Bull, Aumerle in Richard II at The Public and the title role in Rex at the York Theatre. Mr. Page's regional credits span 25 years, including Associate Artist of The Old Globe Theater where roles include Cyrano in Cyrano De Bergerac (Craig Noel Award), Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Jeffrey Cordova in Dancing in the Dark (Craig Noel Award), etc. He is an Affiliated Artist with The Shakespeare Theater in DC, where roles include Coriolanus in Coriolanus (Emery Battis Award), Iago in Othello (Helen Hayes Award), Macbeth in Macbeth, etc. Mr. Page's television credits include The Blacklist, The Good Wife, Elementary, Flesh and Bone, Law and Order SVU and more.

Allison Cahill (Charity Worker/Ghost of Christmas Past/Peg) recently appeared as Mother Superior in Sister Act, Mrs. Eynsford Hill - My Fair Lady (Pittsburgh Public Theater). Pittsburgh CLO: Oliver!, The Full Monty, The Music Man and The Sound of Music. Favorite roles: Abigail - 1776, Roxy - Chicago, Anita - West Side Story, Charity - Sweet Charity, DiAna Morales - A Chorus Line.

Justin Fortunato (Fred/Businessman) returns to A Musical Christmas Carol for his fifth year. Credits include: Pittsburgh Public Theater, PICT, The REP, Primestage, St.Vincent Summer Theatre and Dream Catcher Theatre. He is the co-founder of Carrnivale Theatrics and is currently the Artistic Producing Director of Lincoln Park Center for the Performing Arts.

Lisa Ann Goldsmith (Mrs. Cratchit) is back for her sixth year. She last appeared as Kate Rearden in the World Premiere of Windfall at Arkansas Rep, directed by Seinfeld's Jason Alexander, and as Gretchen in Boeing Boeing at the CLO Cabaret. Local and regional: Pittsburgh Public Theater, Quantum Theatre, PICT, Primary Stages, Theatre by the Sea, Human Race Theatre Company and many others.

Ashton Guthrie (Tom Watkins, Dick Wilkins, The Undertaker) returns to A Musical Christmas Carolafter appearances in 2014 and 2015. His credits also include Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady(Pittsburgh Public Theater). He is a recent Point Park graduate.

Luke Halferty (Town Crier/Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) was last seen in Pittsburgh CLO's The 39 Steps and First Date. Mr. Halferty has appeared regionally with PICT, The REP, St. Vincent Summer Theatre, Stage Right, Point Park's Conservatory Theatre Company and the All University Choir with the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Tim Hartman (Charity Worker/Businessman/Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present) appeared on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow and A Tale of Two Cities. Regional: Man of La Mancha, Annie, The Fantasticks, The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, Henry IV and Shadowlands. Additional: Young Frankenstein, LES MISERABLES and The Cotton Patch Gospel. Film: Silence of the Lambs, The Piano Lesson, The Mothman Prophecies, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh and The Fault in Our Stars.

Jeffrey Howell (Bob Cratchit) counts among his credits Pittsburgh CLO's Damn Yankees, Aida, Singin' in the Rain, Man of La Mancha, Sunset Boulevard, Beauty and the Beast. Other: Souvenir, Choir Boy, The Light in the Piazza, Lost Highway, Candide, Bells are Ringing, Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge. Screen: All My Children, The Young and the Restless, The Cemetery Club, Sudden Death and The Dark Half.

Daniel Krell (Marley/Businessman ) has appeared in over 35 productions with Pittsburgh CLO and has acted in major roles locally in theaters such as the Pittsburgh Public Theater, City Theatre, Quantum, Bricolage, PICT and The Rep; and regionally at Clarence Brown Theatre and Gateway Playhouse. Mr. Krell is also a veteran of many films, commercials, industrials and voice-overs. Up next: Twelfth Night at the Public.

Julia Paladino (Missy Watkins/Martha Cratchit) counts among her favorite credits Maria in West Side Story, Luisa in The Fantasticks, Bet in Oliver! and many more, including her debut last year in Pittsburgh CLO's A Musical Christmas Carol.

Marco Attilio Petrucci (Tiny Tim) is making his debut performance with A Musical Christmas Carol. He is a 3rd grader at St. Therese, currently attending and loving his first year at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy. Mr. Petrucci is fluent in Italian and studies piano at the Carnegie Mellon Music Preparatory School. He also loves making inventions and science experiments.

Benjamin Pimental (Peter Cratchit) returns to the cast of A Musical Christmas Carol after last playing a Cratchit Child in 2009. Originally from Mount Pleasant, PA and a current freshman BFA Musical Theater major at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, he has worked regionally with Pittsburgh CLO, Apple Hill Playhouse and Stage Right.

Erika Strasburg (Belle/Bess) returns for her 4th year with A Musical Christmas Carol. Other Pittsburgh credits include the CLO Cabaret, Kinetic Theatre, barebones productions, City Theatre Company, and Quantum Theatre.

Mark Tinkey (Topper, Vendors, Schoolmaster) returns to A Musical Christmas Carol, having previously played Dick Wilkins and Fred. Pittsburgh CLO credits include Shear Madness and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Playhouse REP company, originating the role of Joey in FBI Girl, and playing Frank in their production of All My Sons directed by Robert Miller.

Terry Wickline (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Fezziwig) returns to A Musical Christmas Carol for the 17thyear. Credits include many CLO productions, as well as Pittsburgh Public Theater, PICT, Quantum, Unseam'd Shakespeare, Pittsburgh Musical Theater, West Virginia Public, St. Vincent's Theatre, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Theatre By The Sea. She was last seen as Hannah in The Spitfire Grill at the New Hazlett Theatre.

Magan Dee Yantko (Fan/Alice/Laundress) graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Point Park University and has worked with Pittsburgh companies such as Carrnivale Theatrics, barebones productions, Playhouse Jr. and Prime Stage, as well as Pittsburgh CLO.

The cast is rounded out by a host of carolers and party guests.

Brittany Graham (Caroler) rejoins the cast of A Musical Christmas Carol for its 25th anniversary celebration. She was recently seen performing as June in The Musical of Musicals the Musical with Off The Wall productions. Other credits: featured vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Sessions (Off Broadway), The Club, Zombies from the Beyond, The Frogs, Ragtime and more. BA, Point Park University.

Lara Hayhurst (Caroler) is a native of Pittsburgh, returning to the cast for the second year. Ms. Hayhurst has also been seen in Pittsburgh CLO's Legally Blonde, at Pittsburgh Public Theater (Company) and Pittsburgh Musical Theater (Young Frankenstein, Legally Blonde, The Sound of Music).

Gavan Pamer (Caroler) recently appeared in the following: Pittsburgh Public Theater's The Fantasticks(Hucklebee), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet); Pittsburgh CLO: Damn Yankees (Van Buren), Man of La Mancha (Padre), 42nd Street (Andy Lee); Off the Wall: Musical of Musicals (Jidder); Temple Theatre: The Addams Family (Uncle Fester); National Tours: CATS, 42nd Street, A Chorus Line.

Allan Snyder (Caroler) joins the cast of A Musical Christmas Carol for the first time. He was last seen at the CLO Cabaret as Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps. A recent transplant to Pittsburgh, he appeared on Broadway in LES MISERABLES, Off-Broadway in The Fantasticks and in the national tour of The Phantom of the Opera, many times in the title role.

Several Pittsburgh CLO Academy students will also take part in the holiday production.

Maddie Dick (Cratchit Child) is a student at Dorseyville Middle School making her A Musical Christmas Carol debut. Previous Pittsburgh CLO productions: Gretl in The Sound of Music and Gypsy Children's Ensemble.

Abigail Gilman (Cratchit Child) a 7th grader at Harding Middle School, is making her professional debut. Previous roles include Jane Banks in Mary Poppins and Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. She is a second year CLO Academy student.

Simon Nigam (Cratchit Child) returns to A Musical Christmas Carol for his fifth year. He has performed with: Prime Stage Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera, Stage 62, University of Pittsburgh Stages, COMTRA Theatre, Heritage Players. Mr. Nigam is a student at the Pittsburgh CLO and a fifth grader at the Falk School.

Mario Williams (Turkey Boy) is a 6th grader at St. Louise de Marillac enjoying his fifth appearance in A Musical Christmas Carol. Previous roles include Tiny Tim and Michael Banks in Pittsburgh CLO's Mary Poppins. He is currently in his fourth year at the Pittsburgh CLO Academy.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

David H. Bell (Technical Supervisor/Adapter) is currently the Director of the Music Theatre Program at Northwestern University and the Artistic Director of the American Music Theatre Project. Mr. Bell has worked on and off Broadway, Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and internationally. He was the Artistic Director of Ford's Theatre in Washington DC and the Associate Artistic Director of the ALLIANCE THEATRE in Atlanta (with Kenny Leon). His work in Chicago has earned him 44 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations as a director, choreographer or author (winning 11). He has also been nominated for the Olivier Award (for the London Production of his Hot Mikado).

D Martyn Bookwalter (Set Designer) has shared this 25-year journey of A Musical Christmas Carol with David Bell and the Pittsburgh CLO, having designed the original production. He has designed more than 500 productions for theaters across the country. Mr. Bookwalter was the art director of the Fox TV show "MADtv," for which he received eight consecutive Emmy nominations. Other awards include the 2001 Angstrom Lighting Lifetime Achievement Award from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle, four Drama Critics Circle awards and a Sarah Siddons Award for Design Excellence.

McCrae Hardy (Musical Director) previously served as music director/conductor for the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh, NC from 1984-2005 as well as numerous other theatres. Currently, he is the Conductor for The Triangle Youth Symphony. He holds the Raleigh Medal of Arts "for extraordinary achievement in the arts."

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer ) has designed approximately 250 shows in the Pittsburgh area for almost every company in this city. Recent productions include Salome for Pittsburgh Opera, The Play with Rocky Bleier at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

LOCAL CHOIRS:

In what has become A Musical Christmas Carol tradition, local choirs will perform prior to select performances. Musical groups from all over the tri-state area have the opportunity to perform on the Byham Theater stage and take part in this special holiday celebration. The list to date includes:

December 9	7:30pm	Trinity Christian HS & Chamber Choir
December 10	4:00pm	Pittsburgh CLO Mini Stars & Academy Students
December 16	7:30pm	Howe Elementary
December 17	8:00pm	West Allegheny High School Show Choir

A Musical Christmas Carol will be presented at the Byham Theater (6th & Fort Duquesne Boulevard) December 9-23. Tickets range from $32.75 - $60.75 with half-price tickets for children 3-14 and are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office.

Special events available for groups include School Matinees Dec. 8-9, 15-16 and 20-22, A Very Merry Meal with Revel & Roost on December 11 and 18, and two Girl Scout Pizza Parties December 9 and 18. Our dedicated staff will help you perfect your holiday outings with A Musical Christmas Carol, from choosing a nearby restaurant, to finding a pre-show drink spot. For more information on these and other group events and discounts, call Group Sales at 412-325-1582 or email Groups@PittsburghCLO.org.

Pittsburgh CLO is also pleased to announce that together, with North Hills Community Outreach, they will conduct a food drive during all performances of A Musical Christmas Carol. Audience members are invited to help fellow Pittsburgh residents by dropping non-perishable food items in barrels stationed in the Byham Theater lobby.

Since 1946, Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons yearly who attend its performances at three venues in the Cultural District: a seasonal subscription series at the Benedum Center, A Musical Christmas Carol at the Byham Theater and year-round shows at the CLO Cabaret. Its dedication to the musical theater art form includes educational programs such as the CLO Academy for Performance and Art, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award and The National High School Theatre Awards. As part of its new works development, the organization has been involved with 21 Broadway shows (29 Tony Awards), and in 2014 produced the world premiere of An American in Paris in Paris and on Broadway, where it won 4 Tony Awards and was the most awarded Best Musical of the season. For more information, visit pittsburghCLO.org.

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