Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol to Run at New Repertory Theatre

New Repertory Theatre, in collaboration with the Arsenal Center for the Arts and Watertown Children's Theatre, revives its popular adaptation of Dickens' classic holiday story, which has all the trimmings of a lavish Victorian Christmas. The production offers a feast for the senses from singing and dancing - the performers accompany themselves on over a dozen different instruments - to ghosts that fly through the air and evaporate into the London fog. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, now in its fourth year, is the perfect holiday celebration.

"It's a pleasure to be working with these two organizations again on this show. It's wonderful that our joint efforts make this heartwarming holiday tale available for adults and children alike, year after year," said Rick Lombardo, New Rep's Producing Artistic Director, who also adapted the classic story for the stage. "I am looking forward to working with all the wonderful Boston actors who join us year after year and have made this production part of their own holiday traditions."

This collaborative tradition features a cast of area favorites including Paul D. Farwell, returning for his fourth year as Scrooge. This year, our cast has some exciting new faces. Sofia Julia Hauser is extremely excited to be joining the cast as Tiny Tim, and Peter Davenport is thrilled to be playing the role of Bob Cratchit.

A Christmas Carol, originally published in 1843, introduces the iconic holiday figures of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, and the three spirits of Christmas. Dickens' story, widely popular in its day and still a beloved holiday tradition, also explores the darker side of prosperity in Victorian England, while exposing the bleak destiny of the working poor.

New Repertory Theatre produces plays that speak powerfully to the essential ideas of our time. Through the passion and electricity of live theater performed to the highest standards of excellence, New Rep expands and challenges the human spirit of both artists and audience. New Rep presents world premieres, contemporary and classic works in several intimate settings. We are committed to education and outreach, including special dedication to the creation of innovative in-school programming and providing access to underserved audiences. New Rep is an active advocate for the arts and a major voice in the national dialogue defining the role of theater in our culture.

New Rep has received Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards for outstanding acting, scenic design, direction, and production. Programming at New Repertory Theatre is supported by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Watertown Children's Theatre was founded in 1983 by Artistic Director Dinah Lane. In its 25 years of service to the town of Watertown and the surrounding communities, this award-winning organization has enriched the lives of thousands of children and their families. Combining values of artistic excellence with inclusiveness, as reflected in its affordable fee structure, its open audition policy, and its involvement of entire families, WCT has continuously ensured its place as a highly valued member of the artistic community. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this season, WCT will offer the company's traditional line-up of diverse programming, including fully staged plays and musicals and educational offerings for all ages, as well as a special gala performance event to commemorate the anniversary season.

Housing the 380-seat Charles Mosesian Theater, a 90-seat Black Box Theater, galleries, classroom spaces and artists' studios, the Arsenal Center for the Arts is located in Watertown, only 15 minutes from Downtown Boston, at 321 Arsenal Street in the site of the historic former Watertown Arsenal, now known as The Arsenal on the Charles, an office park one-half mile west of the Arsenal Mall. Garage parking is free. The Center conducts its own interdisciplinary programming featuring visual, performing and literary arts genres and an extensive arts education program for all ages, in addition to the work of its resident companies (New Repertory Theatre, Watertown Children's Theatre, and The Quilters' Connection) and welcomes the productions of other organizations who rent its theaters.
The Artists

Rick Lombardo (Director, Sound Design) was recently named Artistic Director of San Jose Repertory Theatre, after completing twelve years seasons as New Rep's Producing Artistic Director. He is honored to be a two-time recipient of the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director. His world premiere production of According to Tip for New Rep this summer has transferred to an extended run downtown at Boston's Stuart Street Playhouse. Last season, he directed A Streetcar Named Desire (IRNE Awards- Best Director and Best Production of a Drama) and The Clean House (Elliot Norton Award- Outstanding Production), among others. Previous New Rep credits include: The Pillowman, The Wild Party (IRNE Award- Best Director of a Musical and Best Musical); Bill W. and Dr. Bob (which he also directed Off-Broadway); Romeo and Juliet; Into the Woods; Quills; the world premiere of Approaching Moomtaj by Michael Weller; The Threepenny Opera; the world premiere of A Girl's War; Waiting for Godot (IRNE Award, Best Drama); Sweeny Todd (2004, Elliot Norton Award- Outstanding Director, IRNE Award for Best Director, and Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Musical Production); The Weir (IRNE Award- Best Drama); Rosencratz and Guildenstern are Dead (Elliot Norton Award- Outstanding Director); The Scarlet Letter; American Buffalo; A Moon for the Misbegotten; Das Barbecü; Tartuffe; The Real Thing; and Moby Dick- An American Opera. Locally, he has directed Hamlet for Actor's Shakespeare Project; La Vie Parisienne for Opera Boston; and Ashes to Ashes and The Lover for Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre. Rick was previously the Artistic Director of The Players Guild in Ohio, as well as the Founding Artistic Director of the Stillwaters Theatre Company in New York City. He has taught at several universities, including Fordham University's College at Lincoln Center, where he was also Co-Director of the theatre program. He is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

Paul D. Farwell* (Scrooge) is delighted to be returning for his fourth year as the Christmas curmudgeon. Credits at New Rep include: A Streetcar Named Desire (Steve), Ragtime (Willie Conklin), Into the Woods (Narrator), Permanent Collection (Morris), The Threepenny Opera (Peachum), and Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin). Elsewhere: Kiss Me Kate (Ralph) and Romeo and Juliet (Capulet) for North Shore Music Theatre; Taming of the Shrew (Baptista) and Much Ado About Nothing (Leonato) for Commonwealth Shakespeare; The Gig (Georgie), The Caretaker (Mick), and The Big Knife (Buddy) for the Lyric Stage; and To Kill a Mockingbird (Heck Tate) for Wheelock. Paul plays the mastermind behind the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist in the upcoming film Slippery People. He'll be returning to New Rep in January as Herr Schultz in Cabaret. Paul lives in Watertown with his wife Joanne and 5 year old twins, PJ and David.

Peter Davenport* (Bob Cratchit, Lighthouse Man 2, Ensemble) last appeared as Amor Dumaine in All's Well that Ends Well at Shakespeare and Company. Other roles: Captain von Trapp, Nat'l Tour of The Sound of Music; Howie Newsome, Our Town, director Roger Rees, Williamstown Theatre Festival; Admiral Suffici, reading of Scenes from and Execution, Shakespeare and Company; Young Roscoe/Young Ben u/s, Follies, Papermill Playhouse; Dr. Carrasco, Man of La Mancha, Papermill Playhouse; various film and tv; and as the radio voice for Cranwell Resort and Williamstown Savings Bank. Recordings: Follies; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; and a solo album entitled CLEAR DAY on LML Music.

Sofia Julia Hauser (Tiny Tim, Ensemble) is seven years old. She enjoys playing piano and dancing hip hop and bollywood styles. She has performed in Bye Bye Birdie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, and Cats. She is passionate about make-up and hair styles, and spends a considerable amount of time thinking about fashion and what she will wear to school. She is thrilled to be in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, especially given the challenge of playing a boy!

Dinah Lane (Children's Acting Coach), as Artistic Director of the WCT since its inception, has taught countless classes and workshops, and directed over 45 musicals for the company. She has also been an artist-in-residence in public schools throughout the northeast and works as a family therapist.

Each member of the design team has worked on previous award-winning productions for New Rep and other regional theatres. Peter Colao (scenic design) designed Dessa Rose, Into the Woods, The Threepenny Opera, and Sweeney Todd. John R. Malinowski (lighting design) has also worked with The American Repertory Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Boston Lyric Stage, and Merrimack Rep, among others. Christine Alger (costume design) also returns for this production.

Tickets: Adults $35-$55. Children 12 and under $19-$26.
Call 617-923-8487, or buy online at www.newrep.org.

Need more Boston Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...