Staged reading of AN AMERICAN COUNTRY CHRISTMAS CAROL set for December

Casting is complete for the world premiere of An American Country Christmas Carol, a new musical that will be presented in a staged reading at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre on December 5, 6 and 12 at 8 p.m. 

Heading the cast as Ebenezer Scrugg is Larry Tobias, whose selected credits include the national tour of Stand By Your Man and numerous productions of Ring of Fire. In Nashville he has been seen as Pap in Tennessee Rep's Big River and in Studio Tenn's Our Town.

The cast is filled with critically-acclaimed actors and Nashville audience favorites including: Denice Hicks (the Ghost of Christmas Past ), Patrick Waller ( the Ghost of Christmas Present) and First Night award-winning actor Matthew Carlton (Marley/Fezziwig). 

From the Broadway cast of Ring of Fire, singer/songwriter/recording artist and First Night Award winner Lari White and Mark Luna will be appearing as the Cratchits. The Cratchit children include: Hope Dyra (Martha), Tyler Bond (Peter), Addison McFarlin (Belinda), Cynthia Lowe (June), Matthew Dyra (John) and Hayden Gill (Tiny Tim).

The rest of the cast includes: Jama Bowen (Mrs. Fezziwig), Jaclyn Brown (Caroler/Barmaid/Farmer's Wife), Erica Cantrell (Caroler/Melanie), Joann Coleman (Caroler/Emily), Cori Laemmel (Fan), Jeff Lewis (Bartender/Butcher), Alex Maddox (Belle), Joshua Maddox (Fred/Dick Wilkins), Tom Mason (Grandpa) and Lucas Phillips (Young Ebenezer).

An American Country Christmas Carol has a new score with lyrics by Scott Logsdon (the original run of Les Miserables on Broadway) and music by some of Music Row's most respected and best writers including: Rand Bishop (Toby Keith's "My List"), Kent Blazy (Danny Gokey's "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me" and Garth Brooks's "If Tomorrow Never Comes"), Roxie Dean (Jamie O'Neal's "When I Think About Angels"), Tim Finn ("Winter Light" From the Narnia film), Billy Kirsch (CMA Composer/Song of the Year Award winner for "Holes in the Floor of Heaven" and Wynonna's "Is It Over Yet?"), J. Fred Knobloch (the number one hit "Why Not Me" and Faith Hill's "If My Heart Had Wings") and Pam Rose (Reba McEntire's "Ring On Her Finger, Time On Her Hands", Martina McBride's "Safe in the Arms of Love" and Restless Heart's "I'll Still Be Loving You.")

An American Country Christmas Carol sets the Dickens story of faith, family and redemption in the American south. In keeping with the themes of the show, the reading is joining forces with three local charities to assist people who find themselves in need.

A portion of admission prices will go to The YMCA Urban Youth Development Fund.  People attending the reading are being encouraged to bring non-perishable food items which will go to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and to bring unwrapped presents which will go to The Last Minute Toy Store.

Tickets go on sale on November 1; they are $15 and can be purchased by calling The Boiler Room Theatre at (615) 794-7744. Further details are available at www.boilerroomtheatre.com.