Silver Spring Stage Presents A Christmas Carol

Silver Spring Stage is delighted to present the family festive favorite Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol adapted by Michael Hardwick, directed by Donna K. Shute and produced by Lauren Tobiasen. The holiday classic has delighted generations with the story of Ebenezer Scrooge visited by the Ghosts of Christmas to reveal his past, present and future if he continues miserly ways. This hour-long version of A Christmas Carol will run two weekends only December 9 to December 18.

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Performances are Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

Published on December 19, 1843, A Christmas Carol is credited with transforming not only its stingy lead character Scrooge but returning joy to what had become a somber Christmas season. The book was an instant success with its themes of redemption and charity. Before writing the book, Dickens had toured England and America seeing the plight of the working poor. A Christmas Carol stirred people to increase their charitable giving. It also introduced "Merry Christmas" as a new greeting along with such unforgettable phrases as "Bah, Humbug" and "God bless us everyone". Silver Spring Stage will be adding a new twist this year by setting the play in World War II-era London when the British people experienced extreme hardship and A Christmas Carol's story of hope gave new meaning. In our current time, we can all use a little cheer.

The director Donna Shute says about A Christmas Carol: "The tremendous appeal of the show lies in its very universality. It is a tale which, while written in 1843, could have taken place in any culture, at any time. We all have failed in many of the same ways Scrooge has. Every audience is quick to condemn Scrooge and yet who among us has not wounded a significant other for an insignificant reason? Who has not at some point chosen financial gain over personal fulfillment or forsaken others in their time of need? It is because we are at times like Scrooge that this piece works; that it resonates within us to our very marrow. A Christmas Carol is a play for those of open minds and a willingness to change. It is a play for us all -- if we will only let it work its holiday magic upon us."

The cast features David Dubov (Narrator/Marley), Steve LaRocque (Ebeneezer Scrooge), David Flinn (Bob Cratchit) and in multiple roles: Jared Earley, Becky Batt, Eric Small, Bob Kleinberg, Jonathan Dyer, Rebecca Korn, Ravyn Malatesta, Julia Ravenscroft, Lauren Tobaisen, Kathie Mack, Rachel Loose, James Chatham, John Hamilton, Kate Baldwin, Paula Shute, Harper Kaufman, Melissa Tucker, Kelsey Murray, Mary Frances Papalia, Jeffrey Sampson and Ian Murray.

The production team includes John Hamilton (Assistant Director), Alika Codispoti (Stage Manager), Bob Scott (Lighting Design), Nick Sampson and Donna Shute (Sound Design), Theresa McGuirk (Costume Design), Jonathan Dyer (Set Design), Nicole Jaja (Master Carpenter), and Mary Dalto and Donna Shute (Props).

Silver Spring Stage continues its 2011-2012 season with the imaginative comedy Dead Man's Cellphone (Jan. 13-Feb. 4), thrilling mystery Hapgood (Feb. 24-Mar. 16), frothy delight Enchanted April (Apr. 13-May 5), shocking tragedy The Beauty Queen of Leenane (May 18-June 9), and compelling drama Stop Kiss (June 29-July 21).

Silver Spring Stage has provided quality, affordable theatre for over 40 years. We are an all-volunteer, non- profit organization and appreciate any contribution to enable us to offer excellent and entertaining productions. Thank you for your interest and support of Silver Spring Stage. All programs at Silver Spring Stage are made possible in part by grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and the Maryland State Arts Council.