Town Players of Newtown's A CHRISTMAS CAROL Opens Today

Town Players of Newtown is getting ready to celebrate the holidays with A CHRISTMAS CAROL, opening today, December 5 at The Little Theatre.

We're all familiar with the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. In this charming version, Christopher Schario uses Charles Dickens' powerful language, wit and warmth to tell the story of the miser who is more concerned with how many coins he has in his coffers than with the well-being of his fellow man. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited upon by three "ghosts." Their task is to show him the error of his ways before it's too late and he suffers the fate of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who spends a grim eternity weighed down by chains and the money boxes that were all-important during his life.

Adapted for a company of only seven actors and a violinist, the story is introduced by a child who is reading it for the first time, and who is eventually invited to take part by the characters. Traditional carols and English folk tunes create the proper atmosphere, and the world of Scrooge, Tiny Tim and others comes to life in a way that's sure to delight children of all ages.

According to the Portland Press-Herald, "Schario's staged adaptation was sparkling with clarity and fun," while the Newtown Bee said of Town Players' previous production, "They mix pathos with humor, and capture the essence of this Victorian morality tale in a manner that is utterly convincing and totally absorbing."

Directed by Gene Golaszewski of Brookfield, A CHRISTMAS CAROL features the talents of Lois Armstrong (Cold Spring, NY), Olivia Carr (Southbury), Christopher Cooney (Monroe), Brian DeToma (Danbury), Cailee Harvey (Southbury), Rosemary Howard (Milldale), Ron Malyszka (Bridgewater), and Amy Strachan (Monroe). The production crew includes producers Lynn Alexander (Southbury) and Tracy Nashel (Newtown), and lighting designer Nick Kaye (Bethel).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs December 5 -14. Curtain times are 8 PM Fridays and Saturdays, with 2 PM Sunday matinees on December 7 & 14. Special pricing for this limited-run event is $15, and $10 children 10 and under for all performances. The show runs about one hour with no intermission, making it ideal for young children.

Reservations may be made by calling the box office at 203-270-9144 or by sending an email to reservations@newtownplayers.org. For further information, visit www.newtownplayers.org or email info@newtownplayers.org.