Alliance Theatre Welcomes A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Opening Today

A Christmas Carol, ALLIANCE THEATRE's annual holiday gift to Atlanta, returns November 23, 2012 for its 23rd production.

The most heartwarming story of the season comes to life with holiday carols, stunning stage magic and your favorite Atlanta actors. Directed by Rosemary Newcott, The Sally G. Tomlinson Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth, A Christmas Carol has become a tradition for many families around the southeast.

In this tale of redemption, Ebenezer Scrooge goes to sleep on Christmas Eve as a miserly, stone-hearted man and awakens on Christmas Day with a compassionate and benevolent heart after his encounter with three ghosts. Audiences will again be invited to sing "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" with the cast during the performance, an addition to the show started last season.

Chris Kayser returns for his 20th role as Ebenezer Scrooge (16 of which were with the ALLIANCE THEATRE). Other Christmas Carol favorites return to reprise their roles including Neal A. Ghant as Bob Cratchit; Bart Hansard as Mr. Fezziwig/Christmas Present; and Je Nie Fleming as Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Dilber (who was in the production as a child). The Alliance is also pleased to introduce Lovett School second grader Morgan Gao, making his ALLIANCE THEATRE debut as Tiny Tim.

Carter's, the leading brand in children's clothing, will sponsor six Family Nights during A Christmas Carol. Family packages include parking, family photos, pre-show choir performances, and four tickets to A Christmas Carol for $125. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas to the show and to bring a new pair of pajamas to donate to the Carter's sponsored Pajama Program, providing PJs to children in need, most of whom are in foster care. Family Nights are – 12/6, 7:00pm; 12/13, 7:00pm; 12/14, 8:00pm; 12/20, 7:00pm; 12/21, 2:30pm; and 12/21, 8:00pm. Additional details below. (Pajamas may be donated on any day Nov. 23 – Dec. 23)

Performances are Thursdays at 7 pm, Fridays at 8 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, Nov. 23 – Dec. 23, 2012. An additional 2:30p performance will be added on Friday, December 21. There will be no evening performance on Sunday, November 25, and no performance will be held on Friday, December 7. Opening Night for A Christmas Carol is Thursday, November 29, 7:00pm.

Tickets start at $17.50 for children and $25 for adults are available at The Woodruff Arts Center Box Office or by calling 404.733.5000 or visiting www.alliancetheatre.org/carol. Discount rates for groups of 10 or more are available by calling 404.733.4690. Discount rates are also available for members of the military, seniors and students. The ALLIANCE THEATRE is located at The Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 – at the corner of Peachtree and 15th Street, in Midtown Atlanta.

Pictured: Chris Kayser and Bart Hansard in the ALLIANCE THEATRE's annual production of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Greg Mooney.