Trinity Rep to Present A CHRISTMAS CAROL This Holiday Season

Trinity Rep announces its annual presentation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, directed by Curt Columbus, and featuring resident acting company member Stephen Berenson as Scrooge. Performances run November 7 through December 31. Tickets are on sale now and by phone at (401) 351-4242, online at www.trinityrep.com, or in person at the theater's box office at 201 Washington St. A Christmas Carol is presented by Cardi's Furniture with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance.

A timeless tale of forgiveness and hope enjoyed by generations of New Englanders, this holiday favorite earns rave reviews from audiences and critics year after year. The Boston Globe praises the annual tradition saying, "There is no better Carol than the one that Trinity Repertory Company puts on every Christmas season."

"A Christmas Carol is a story of compassion, generosity and possibility, which are all part of the holiday spirit," remarks director Curt Columbus. "It simply would not be Christmas in Rhode Island without this show, and sharing it with the community every year is our way of celebrating the season with our neighbors."

This year's Carol features many Trinity Rep resident acting company favorites including Stephen Berenson, Janice Duclos, Phyllis Kay, Brian McEleney, Anne Scurria, Fred Sullivan, Jr., Stephen Thorne and Rachael Warren; guest actors Adrian Blount and Whitney White; and Brown/Trinity Rep MFA actors Dennis Kozee, Joshua Lomeli, and Kyle Vincent Terry.

Trinity Rep also welcomes twelve talented local children, ages 8-12, to the stage. One hundred fifty child actors auditioned and the rotating cast includes: Damola Adebayo of Providence, Calista Aguinado of Warwick, Lillian Johnson of Johnson, Thomas Fitzgerald of Warwick, Gustavo Londono of Cranston, Laurel McMahon of Warwick, Amaryllis Miller of Cranston, Bobby Miller of Cranston, Antonio Ross of North Providence, Ronin Scott of Warwick, Billy Stockton of Johnston, and Delaney Wilson of Berkeley, MA.

The design team includes Michael Rice (music direction), Shura Baryshnikov (choreography), Deb O (set design), Toni Spadafora (costume design), Josh Epstein (lighting design), Peter Sasha Hurowitz (sound design) and Aaron Rhyne and John Narun (projection design).

Curt Columbus became Trinity Repertory Company's fifth artistic director in January 2006. He is also the artistic director of the Brown/Trinity MFA programs in Acting and Directing. Trinity Rep directing credits include Middletown, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Merchant of Venice, His Girl Friday, Camelot, Cabaret, The Odd Couple, The Secret Rapture, The Receptionist, Memory House, Blithe Spirit, A Christmas Carol, Cherry Orchard and the world premieres of The Completely Fictional, Utterly True, Final Strange Tale of Edgar Allen Poe and Social Creatures. Trinity Rep has been home to the world premieres of three of his plays, Paris by Night, The Dreams of Antigone, and Sparrow Grass. Trinity has also produced his translations of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard and Ivanov, as well as Georges Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear.

Prior to coming to Trinity, Curt lived and worked in the Chicago theater scene for almost twenty years. He was artistic associate of Victory Gardens Theater from 1989-1994, the director of the University of Chicago's University Theater from 1994-2000, and the associate artistic director of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company from 2000-2005, where he premiered his translations of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard, and Elsa Bernstein's Maria Arndt.

Curt's adaptation of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (with Marilyn Campbell) has won awards and accolades at theaters around the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. His translation of Chekhov's Three Sisters, developed at the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia, was published by Dramatists Play Service, as was his play, Sparrow Grass, and his translation/adaptation of Ivanov.

Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol is presented by Cardi's Furniture along with supporting sponsor Amica Insurance. Trinity Rep's 52nd season is sponsored by NBC 10, with supporting sponsors, Rhode Island Monthly and RISCA.

"Cardi's Furniture has a strong commitment to the Southeastern New England community," said Nick, Ron and Pete Cardi, NIROPE of Cardi's Furniture & Cardi's Furniture Mattresses. "That is why we are so proud to continue our tradition of sponsoring Trinity Rep's classic production of A Christmas Carol for all local families to enjoy this holiday season."

"Amica Insurance is proud to once again sponsor Trinity Rep's classic production of A Christmas Carol," said Patti Genovese, sponsorship coordinator at Amica. "Much like Amica, this play is steeped in Rhode Island tradition, and we're excited to team up with Trinity Rep to spread more holiday cheer this season."

This Trinity Rep production is dedicated to Stephen Hamblett and his love for the story of A Christmas Carol.