Maryland Ensemble Theatre Stages A CHRISTMAS CAROL for 21st Year, Beginning Today

Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol" is returning to Frederick for the twenty-first straight year with Maryland Ensemble Theatre's production at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. The cast of over two dozen actors portraying the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, Future and Tiny Tim will transport audiences to Victorian England as the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge learns the error of his miserly ways and embraces the true spirit of Christmas. "It's such a treat to bring this classic to life each holiday season," said the show's director Julie Herber. "The spirit of the show is infectious, the energy we feel greeting the audience after the show is always so cheerful and heartwarming."

"A Christmas Carol" is a stirring tale that has endured and delighted since being greeted with critical and popular acclaim upon its publication in 1843. Dickens himself was the first to add a performance element to the story personally performing 127 public readings of "A Christmas Carol". Since then it has been adapted hundreds of times to nearly every medium possible including the first surviving film version in 1901, Orson Wells on CBS Radio in 1938, both opera and ballet adaptations, a Muppets' movie and a Broadway musical.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre's version was adapted by Theatricks, a theater company co-founded by MET Associate Artistic Director Julie Herber. Theatricks first produced the show at Frederick Community College and then The Fun Company (MET's Family Theatre, also founded by Julie Herber) began producing the show at the Weinberg Center in 1996. The Fun Company became part of Maryland Ensemble Theatre in 2003. "The entire 'Christmas Carol'team looks forward to it every year," said Herber. "I've directed twenty of the twenty-one years and each year it feels like coming home. We have so many cast members that return year after year, it's like having a holiday family reunion and that really comes across on stage." Over the past couple decades thousands of families have celebrated the holidays with this production of "A Christmas Carol", making it a holiday tradition in downtown Frederick.

Tad Janes, MET's Artistic Director, will portray Scrooge for the twelfth straight year. In addition, Gené Fouché is returning for her eleventh year as the ghost of Christmas Past and Bill Stitely who will play Young Ebenezer was in the very first cast twenty-one years ago. Other veteran cast members this year include James McGarvey, Ashley Hall, Jack Evans, Kayte Williams and Lisa Burl. The production also includes a number of younger performers the majority of whom are students or alumni of MET's Ensemble School classes. The young cast members who will be performing in repertory are Sean Puckett, Ainsley Chadwick, Kristen Proffitt, Sophie Beers-Arthur, Evan Smedley, Alec Stitely, Rahni Huff, Lilianna Griffee, Rachel Spencer, Sophie Stratyner, Siobhan Stewart, Lena Janes, Noah Stitely, Sam Trapp, Rowan Davis, Elle Kaminski, Jemma Pryzybocki, Cavin Davis, Renee Gerrard, Morgan Blood, Sawyer Kalbaugh, Kazimierz Stronge, Maya Douez, Tori Shemer, Deacon Withers, Alex Harrington, Quest Sawyer, Kelsea Rowe, Audrey Davis, and Johnny Alderman. Also familiar to returning audience goers will be the fantastic music by composer John Walker that underscores the show.

The show will run December 19 and 20 at 7:30pm and December 20 and 21 at 2pm at the Weinberg Center for Arts (20 West Patrick Street, Frederick). Tickets are $12 through $24 and can be purchased at the Weinberg Box Office, at 301-600-2828 or online at weinbergcenter.org. The show will also be presented at the Carroll County Arts Center on December 12 at 8pm and December 13 at 3pm and 8pm (carrollcountyartscouncil.org). Weekday performances for schools and study guides are also available for teachers and their classes at both locations.

For audiences looking for more holiday entertainment the Maryland Ensemble Theatre will also be presenting the World Premiere of, "A Revolutionary Christmas". The family play is set in Frederick during the Revolutionary War at Christmas time. Performances will run December 5 through 28 on the MET stage located in the historic FSK Hotel at 31 W Patrick. Also MET's family theater, The Fun Company, is bringing back last year's sold-out smash hit the holiday sing-along "Junie B. in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" which will run November 29 through December 28.

Now in its seventeenth season in downtown Frederick the Maryland Ensemble Theatre produces thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, theatre camps, challenging classes and sidesplitting comedy. For more information on "A Christmas Carol" or any of MET's other shows or programs visit marylandensemble.org or call 301-694-4744.

Starring: Tad Janes* (Ebenezer Scrooge), Gené Fouché* (Ghost of Christmas Past), Jack Evans* (Bob Cratchit, Dick Wilkins), Bill Stitely (Nephew, Young Ebenezer), James McGarvey* (Ghost of Jacob Marley, Fezziwig), Lisa Burl* (Mrs. Cratchit), Kayte Williams (Ghost of Christmas Present) Ashley Hall (Belle).

Repertory Cast A: Sean Puckett (Tiny Tim), Ainsley Chadwick (Ella Rose), Sola Beers-Arthur (Belinda/ Fan) Evan Smedley (Peter/ Boy Scrooge), Kristen Proffitt (Martha), Alec Stitely (Turkey Boy), Rahni Huff (Caroler), Lilianna Griffee (Child #1), Rachel Spencer (Child #2), Junior Ensemble: Sophie Stratyner, Siobhan Stewart, Lena Janes, Noah Stitely, Sam Trapp

Repertory Cast B: Rowan Davis (Tiny Tim), Elle Kaminski (Ella Rose), Jemma Pryzybocki (Belinda), Cavin Davis (Peter), Renee Gerrard (Martha), Morgan Blood (Fan), Sawyer Kalbaugh (Boy Scrooge), Kazimierz Stronge (Turkey Boy), Maya Douez (Caroler), Tori Shemer (Child #1), Deacon Withers (Child #2), Junior Ensemble: Alex Harrington,Quest Sawyer, Kelsea Rowe, Audrey Davis, Johnny Alderman

Director and Designers: Julie Herber* (Director), John Walker (Original Music), Ira Domser (Set Design), Tabetha White & Greg Davis (Lighting Design), Julie Herber* (Costume Design) Devin Gaither* and Kevin Cole* (Stage Manager)

*Maryland Ensemble Company Members

Performances will take placea t the Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701 and the Carroll County Arts Center, 91 W Main St, Westminster, MD 21157. Dates/times: Carroll County Arts Center on December 12 at 8pm and December 13 at 3pm and 8pm; Weinberg Center for Arts on December 19 and 20 at 7:30pm and December 20 and 21 at 2pm.

Ticket Prices: Weinberg: Adults $24, Students (7-18) & Seniors (62+) $20, *Children $12 (Additional service charges may apply.); Carroll County Arts Center $15-$17. Box Office: At the Weinberg Center Box Office or call the Weinberg at 301-600-2828 or at weinbergcenter.org. Or the Carroll County Arts Center at (410) 848-7272 or carrollcountyartscouncil.org.

Photo Credit: Misti Morningstar