Casting for 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL' At McCarter Theater 12/7

 

McCarter Theatre Center announces casting for 28th ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF Charles Dickens' 'A CHRISTMAS CAROL'.

Adapted by David Thompson
Directed by Michael Unger
Featuring Lisa Altomare, Richard Gallagher, Karron Graves, Stephen James King, James Ludwig, Janet Metz, Ned Noyes, John O'Creagh, Anne O'Sullivan, Karen Pittman, Nikki E. Walker with renowned Irish Actor Dermot Crowley as Ebenezer Scrooge
Previews begin Sunday, December 7, 2008

Charles Dickens' beloved holiday classic returns to Princeton with McCarter Theatre Center's 28th annual production of A Christmas Carol, playing December 7-December 28 in the Matthews Theatre. The musical, featuring an adaptation by David Thompson and direction by Michael Unger, will begin previews Sunday, December 7 and will runs through Sunday, December 28. (Opening Night: Friday, December 12) McCarter Theatre Center is located at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ.

A Christmas Carol is Charles Dickens' timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his magical journey into Christmas past, present, and future. McCarter's critically acclaimed production has been called "a must-see" by The New York Times and "a glorious two hours of spectacle and joy" by The Princeton Packet.

This year, A Christmas Carol welcomes a number of returning cast members as well as a host of new faces, beginning with a brand-new Scrooge: renowned Irish actor Dermot Crowley. Previously seen at McCarter (and subsequently on Broadway) in 2006's Translations, Dermot Crowley has worked extensively in the U.K. at The National Theatre in London, The Royal Shakespeare Company, and The Abbey Theatre in Dublin. His film credits include Octopussy, Babel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, and The Return of the Jedi. His television credits include Masterpiece Theatre's Bleak House, The Sculptress, Falling for a Dancer, and Father Ted.

Also making their first appearances in A Christmas Carol are Stephen James King (Jacob Marley) and Nikki E. Walker (Christmas Present). Anne O'Sullivan returns to the role of Mrs. Fezziwig after a one-year hiatus, and James Ludwig, who has played Nephew Fred/Undertaker in previous McCarter productions, now takes on the role of Bob Cratchit.

Other cast members returning from last year's production are: Lisa Altomare (Mrs. Dilber), Richard Gallagher (Young Scrooge), Karron Graves (Fan), Princeton class of 1999, Janet Metz (Mrs. Cratchit), Ned Noyes (Fred/Undertaker), John O'Creagh (Fezziwig), and Karen Pittman (Lily/Belle).

A Christmas Carol features a Young Ensemble made up of talented child actors from the Princeton area. This year's Young Ensemble will feature Kalyn Altmeyer, Ben Baumann, Ethan Blackwelder, all from Princeton; Lindsay Gloriana Bohon of Flemington; Elisabeth Edokwe, Mariel Edokwe, both from Princeton; Danny Hallowell of Skillman; Alphonso Jones of Trenton; Harmony Kingsley of Princeton; Anna Kralik of Mercerville; Matthew Kuenne of Princeton; Reed Christine Schmidt of Columbus; and Adjenai Elizabeth Worrell of Edison.

The Adult Ensemble includes Brittany Beatty, Craig Dancewicz, Jennifer DiDonato, Jillian Dierking, Wilber O. Escobar, Curtis C. Howard III, Jae Garcia, Corey Ranallo, Ashley Anne Russ, Matthew Michael Uriniak, and Eddie Zitka.

Director Michael Unger directs McCarter's acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol for the 9th consecutive year. His recent credits include: The Happy Time (Signature, DC), Tiny Dancer (Prince Music Theatre), Behind the Limelight (New York Music Theatre Festival), Die Fledermaus (Sarasota Opera), and The Rink with Leslie Uggams and Janet Metz (Cape Playhouse). Mr. Unger has directed many regional productions, including the world premieres of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Still, Haven, and Caligula, which won New York Musical Theatre Festival's Audience Favorite Award in 2004.

The award-winning design team of A Christmas Carol includes Ming Cho Lee (set), Jess Goldstein (costumes), Stephen Strawbridge (lighting), and Brian Ronan (sound). In addition, the production features music and lyrics by Tony Award winner Michael Starobin, choreography by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, and musical direction by Charles Sundquist, former director of the choral department at Princeton High School.

Performances of A Christmas Carol in McCarter's Matthews Theatre are Thursdays through Sundays, with additional performances on Tuesday, December 23 at 7:30 pm and Wednesday, December 24 at 12 pm and 4 pm. There are no performances on December 25 or December 26. For a complete performance schedule, visit www.mccarter.org.

Tickets range from $31 to $55 depending on the day and time of the performance. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by contacting McCarter Theatre's Ticket Office at (609) 258-ARTS (2787); toll -free 1-888-278-7932; or online at www.mccarter.org. McCarter Theatre is located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ.

McCarter provides Barrier-Free Access for patrons using wheelchairs, walkers, canes or crutches. Ample doorways and convenient curb cuts provide easy wheelchair accessibility. Specially equipped restrooms are on the lobby level. Please inform the sales office of your needs at the time of ticket purchase.

Special Performances

McCarter Theatre offers a variety of events in conjunction with the performance, as well as special services for patrons who have visual and audio impairments. (There is no additional charge for these services.) The dates for these programs and events are as follows:

4th Annual Fezziwig Party: Thursday, December 11 at 5:30pm (before the 7:30pm performance) The fourth annual Fezziwig Party features festive cocktails, a delicious menu from Princeton restaurant The Ferry House, and live holiday music from the Princeton University Tigertones. Tickets are $40 for play AND party. Please Note: when ordering tickets, please ask for the Fezziwig Party package.

ASL (American Sign Language) Interpreted Performance: Saturday, December 27 at 1pm

Each ASL performance is preceded by a brief introduction given by professional interpreters. To ensure optimal seating locations for viewing of both the interpreters and the stage, please indicate that you or members of your party will be using this service at the time of ticket purchase.

Audio Described Performance: Saturday, December 27 at 1pm
Audio Described Performances are for the benefit of patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Without interfering with the dialogue, McCarter's staff of trained audio describers provides a live, objective and succinct description of the action and visual elements of the play, heard by participating patrons through an ear piece attached to a pocket-sized FM radio.

Open-Captioned Performance: Sunday, December 21 at 5:30 pm
This program offers another option for hearing impaired patrons by allowing the audience to view spoken dialogue on a caption unit located near the stage. The dialogue scrolls across an easily visible screen so that patrons can follow what is said onstage.

Performance Schedule
Sunday, December 7 - 5:30pm
Thursday, December 11 - 7:30pm
Friday, December 12 - 7:30pm
Saturday, December 13 - 1pm & 5:30pm
Sunday, December 14 - 1pm & 5:30pm
Thursday, December 18 - 7:30pm
Friday, December 19 -7:30pm
Saturday, December 20 - 1pm & 5:30pm
Sunday, December 21 - 1pm & 5:30pm
Tuesday, December 23 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, December 24 - 12pm & 4pm
Saturday, December 27 - 1pm & 5:30pm
Sunday, December 28 - 1pm & 5:30pm