A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns For Its 11th Year to The Hanover

Celebrate the holiday season with the 11th annual production of A Christmas Carol at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for Performing Arts, December 15-23. Generously sponsored by Assumption College and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, this is New England's largest production of the Charles Dickens classic. Tickets are now on sale to members and go on sale to the public on Tuesday, July 10 at 10 a.m.

Under the direction of Troy Siebels, The Hanover Theatre's president and CEO, this innovative adaptation will enter its second decade and feature many of the elements that New England theatre-goers have come to expect. The vision of Siebels, coupled with expanded leadership roles by Worcester natives Annie Kerins (choreographer) and Steve Gagliastro (associate music director) will result in an updated production of A Christmas Carol that will delight and satisfy audiences of all ages.

"2017 was one of our biggest years to date," Siebels said. "There's something about Dickens' story and this production that people want to see and experience at holiday time, so we'll continue on, finding ways each year to make the show better."

New and returning cast members tell the story of curmudgeonly miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is visited by the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come. Jeremy Lawrence returns as Scrooge for the seventh year in a row, having guest starred on TV's "The Blacklist" and "Shades of Blue," as well as worked with directors Brian De Palma, Rob Howard and Stephen Daldry. Lawrence is also known for his portrayal of playwright Tennessee Williams.

This brilliant musical, set with timeless music, colorful costumes and spectacular lighting and scenery, follows Scrooge as he discovers the true spirit of the holiday season. The production also offers a unique sound with musical accompaniment by the theatre's Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, which, as New England's largest theatre pipe organ, has more than 2,400 pipes.

Student matinee performances will be offered December 18-21. Enhanced audio descriptive services and ASL interpretation will be available at the December 16, 1 p.m. performance. Audiences are also invited to stay after the December 20, 7 p.m. performance for a post-performance discussion with members of the cast.

Tickets to the 11th annual production of A Christmas Carol start at $28, with discounts available to members of The Hanover Theatre, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Students and kids are half price. Tickets are available online at TheHanoverTheatre.org, by phone at 877.571.SHOW (7469) or at The Hanover Theatre box office located at 2 Southbridge Street in downtown Worcester.

About The Hanover Theatre

The Hanover Theatre continues to draw over 197,000 patrons annually with world-class performances and headlining acts including Broadway hits ("Les Misérables," "Kinky Boots"), comedians (Dave Chappelle, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld), musical acts (Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, John Legend, Tony Bennett) and everything in between ("A Christmas Carol," Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Alton Brown, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson). POLLSTAR consistently ranks The Hanover Theatre as one of the Top Theatres in the World. After nine seasons, the award-winning, historic theatre continues to establish its place as a world-class performing arts venue, acting as a catalyst for the economic development of downtown Worcester. The Hanover Theatre's recently acquired 551 Main Street houses new function space, offices, rental space for a restaurant on the ground floor and The Hanover Theatre Conservatory for the Performing Arts on the lower level.

Worcester Center for Performing Arts, a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.