Maryland Ensemble Theatre Presents A CHRISTMAS TWIST, 12/3-19

This December Maryland Ensemble Theatre is bringing a holiday classic to the stage, with a twist.  What Blazing Saddles did to the western and what Young Frankenstein did to the horror movie, this is what A Christmas Twist does to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and the result is the funniest Christmas show of this year's holiday season.  A Christmas Twist is an irreverent mash-up of the beloved Charles Dickens' tales A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.  The stories are tossed together, Little Orphan Annie is thrown into the mix, and Tiny Tim and Oliver are combined into one sickly pick-pocketing boy.  The result is a humorous parody with an absurd family of characters that still manage to spread the spirit of the season.

Allison Lepelleteir, MET ensemble member and the show's director says, "The silliness of this show will appeal to young adults, and watching their beloved characters interact in a different light amid familiar pop culture references will appeal to adults that need a little spice in their annual holiday traditions.  Only in A Christmas Twist will you see Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Future playing charades while Mr. Fuzzywig dances the luau."

The shows director continued, "When I first read A Christmas Twist, I immediately knew directing this show would be a riot. Playing an orphan in Oliver Twist was the first professional role I had as a child, and seeing the MET's A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition. I'm glad I was able to be part of a production that brings together the best parts of these two shows that are dear to my heart. It's an absurd family of characters that I hope audiences will enjoy as much as I have! This was a fantastic and hilarious cast to work with (there was more than one time a case of the giggles overtook a rehearsal), and the production team is so talented, it was a treat to watch them flesh out their part of this creation."

A Christmas Twist is the brainchild of actor-playwrights Doug Armstrong, Keith Cooper, Maureen Morley and Tom Willmorth of The Illegitimate Payers. From the early eighties to the mid nineties, The Illegitimate Players held a stunning presence in Chicago theater.  One of the very first Second City trained improv groups to tear up the cabaret scene in Chicago.

Running at the same time is MET's traditional production of Christmas Carol at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. So you can brush up on the original and then see it roasted like chestnuts over an open fire in A Christmas Twist.

For over a decade, Maryland Ensemble Theatre has been producing thought-provoking theatre, fun family entertainment, artist residency programs for public schools, challenging classes and the side-splitting Comedy Pigs.  The MET is an artistic leader in the region and at the forefront of the creation of Frederick's Theater District.

A CHRISTMAS TWIST INFORMATION

Starring:  Adam Brooks (Bob Cratchit, Ghost of Jacob Marlet), Rich Cole (Ebenezer Scrooge), Steven Grainger (Mr. Bumble, Mr. Fuzzywig, grave digger), Julie Herber* (Fagin), Justin Johnson (Tiny Twist, Young Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come), Alex Keiper (Annie, Belle, Ghost of Christmas Present, caroller), and Karen Stitely (Emily Cratchit, Ghost Of Christmas Past, caroller, Libby)

Director and Designers:  Allison Lepelleteir* (Director), JoAnn Lee* (Set Design), Doug Grove* (Lighting Design), Julie Herber* (Costume Design), Ken Poisson* (Sound Design), Lisa Burl*, Ashley Hall* (Properties)

* Maryland Ensemble Company Members

Where:  Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 West Patrick Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701

Dates:  December 3 - December 19, 2010

Performances:  Thursday - December 9 and 16 at 8pm; Friday & Saturday at 8pm (December 3*, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17); Sunday - December 5 at 2pm; Sunday - December 12 & 19 at 7pm
* Preview Performance ($5 First Friday)

Ticket Prices:  Adults $23.50, Students/Seniors $20.50, Thursday & Sunday All seats $16.50. 
Ticket price includes a $1.50 handling charge. 

*12/3 - $5 "First Friday" preview tickets are only available at the box office starting one hour before the performance and are CASH ONLY!

Box Office:  301-694-4744 or marylandensemble.org or at the MET (Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 3pm, Friday 11am - 3pm and 1 hour before each show.)

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