A CHRISTMAS CAROL Brings Christmas Cheer to Long Beach Playhouse

December is a month for honoring traditions, celebrating with family and friends and reminding ourselves that compassion and kindness never go out of style. Fortunately for all of us, 170 years ago Charles Dickens mixed those things together and created a story he called A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas. The title has been shortened over time but not its ability to lure us into the story.

"We've made A Christmas Carol an annual tradition for the Playhouse and the people who come to the show. It's a wonderful show for a family outing. It's an uplifting story set in an era that lends itself to beautiful sets and costumes," said Madison Mooney, the organization's Executive Director. "This is our sixth annual production. But we never do it the same way twice."

"It's a story everybody knows but there are infinite ways to tell it without sacrificing any of the story's charm. One way we keep it fresh is inviting new directors for each production. They bring their own sensibilities to the story," said Sean Gray, Playhouse Artistic Director. "As an example, we've had ethereal ghosts, spooky ghosts, even grandiose ghosts. The technical and design teams have a great time with this show."

Chris Mertan is the show's director. He's an experienced writer, director and performer. He directed this year's Playhouse Shakespeare in the Park production as well as one of the readings from last year's New Works Festival. Chris said he used Charles Dickens' words in the book's preface as his inspiration: "I HAVE endeavored in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humor with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it."

The 12-member cast is a mix of actors who are making debuts and who are returning to the Playhouse. Those making their debuts are: Alex Reed, Clarice Kennelly, Lola Alonso, J.D. Rinde, and Olivia Sundeen. Returning to the Playhouse are: Jack Murphy, Jill Prout, Carmel Artstein, Michael Kaye, Darcy Porter, Brendan Kane and Oren Artstein.

The show opens December 9 and runs through December 23, 2017. SPECIAL EVENTS FOR THIS PLAY:

• Pay what you can Thursday December 7 - community can see this production for whatever they can afford
• Friday Two-for-One is already sold out!
• Opening Night Champagne Reception with cast on December 9 - Tickets are $27.00

Ticket Pricing:
Friday: Adults are $20.00, Seniors $18.00, and Students $14.00Saturday and Sunday: Adults are $24.00, Seniors $21.00, and Students $14.00.

Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling 562-494-1014, option 1.
To request an interview with the director, cast members or reserve your media tickets to this performance, please send an email to: pr@lbplayhouse.org.

Long Beach Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach, CA, 90804, right across from the Long Beach Recreation golf course. The Playhouse is community-supported theatre with programs and events that cut across age, gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday from 3:00-8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-2:00 pm on scheduled matinees.

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