HartBeat Ensemble Updates Free, Traveling Production of EBENEEZA: A Hartford Holiday Carol

This December, HartBeat Ensemble will revive its highly popular Mainstage production of Ebeneeza: A Hartford Holiday Carol and perform the play in four separate locations around Greater Hartford. The production, originally written in 2006 and updated this year to address timely political and economic issues, will be performed for the public at Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts, The Mark Twain House & Museum, The West Indian Social Club, and West Hartford's Playhouse on Park. Each weekend in December, residents of the Hartford area will be able to see a Scrooge story for today in their own neighborhoods. Each of the Hartford performances will be free, and HartBeat will charge a family-friendly ticket price for The Playhouse on Park closing weekend.

Ebeneeza is a retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, set in modern-day Hartford. Audiences will follow the story of the elderly woman Ebeneeza. The miser is, of course, visited by three ghosts, including Hartford's favorite "Ghost of Holidays Past," Mark Twain. In keeping with HartBeat tradition, the words and concepts of Ebeneeza come from interviews with citizens of the Greater Hartford community. Ebeneeza: A Hartford Holiday Carol explores issues of class, race, and development while simultaneously reflecting Dickens' themes of generosity and self-reflection. The production takes us from Ebeneeza's childhood home on Front Street during the Depression, through the civil upheavals of the 60's in the North End of Hartford and into the Greater Hartford suburbs of the 80's. This year, Ebeneeza will literally move throughout the city, traveling through each neighborhood in order to connect with more communities. These traveling productions of Ebeneeza: A Hartford Holiday Carol reflect the ensemble's mission to bring original, affordable theater to Hartford's neighborhoods. The play has been updated to reflect current concerns, including "Obamacare," the emersion of the "Tea Party Patriots," the effects of the bailout, and developments in the foreclosure crisis.

The production also celebrates the diversity of residents and holidays in Hartford. To quote Marlene, Ebeneeza's West Indian Home Care assistant (the "Bob Cratchit" of HartBeat's adaptation), this is "the most special of all the holiday seasons I've ever known. Everything all bunched up together. There's power in the air. Can't you feel it? Something special going to happen this weekend. Christmas Eve, last night of Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice. Tomorrow we say Merry Christmas! And Kwanzaa starts on Sunday!"

Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts will host Ebeneeza on Friday, December 4th and Saturday, December 5th at 7:30 PM. The Mark Twain House & Museum will host the production on Friday, December 11th at 7:30 PM, Saturday, December 12th at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, December 13th at 2:00 PM. The West Indian Social Club will host Ebeneeza on Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th at 7:30 PM. All of the aforementioned performances will be free to the public. The final weekend, performed at Playhouse on Park, will be Saturday, December 26th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 27th at 2:00 PM. Tickets will be moderately priced to encourage family attendance.

Ebeneeza is written by the HartBeat Ensemble and directed by Brian Jennings. This production is made possible by the City of Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Eddie A. Perez, Mayor; and supported by The Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign, The Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation, The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and The Ensworth Memorial Trust, Bank of America, Trustee.

The mission of HartBeat Ensemble is to create original, professional theater based on stories from the people of our community. Through Mainstage plays, Open-Air performances, and Education programs, HartBeat Ensemble makes theater accessible beyond the barriers of class, race, and gender.

For more information please visit www.hartbeatensemble.org or call (860) 548-9144.

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