A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns to The Public Theatre

This holiday season, for one weekend only, Dec 14, 15, and 16th, The Public Theatre, will present their acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol followed by a holiday sing-a-long featuring Christmas Carol fiddler Jennifer Armstrong. The Public Theatre's own version of Dickens' classic has become a favorite holiday tradition in Lewiston/Auburn. This inventive adaptation, performed by six actors and a fiddler, was developed and written for The Public Theatre by Artistic Director Christopher Schario in 1993, and has since been published by Dramatists Play Service and is now regularly performed by theatres around the world.

"There's a great reason why this story is told during the holidays and will never go away", says author and Artistic Director Christopher Schario. "Sometimes it's easy to forget the meaning of the season in all the holiday shopping. Watching Scrooge's journey always awakens my holiday spirit and gets my heart ready to celebrate Christmas."

Another thing worth celebrating, according to Schario, is The Public Theatre's ticket price of only $5 for children 18 and under. "With our $5 ticket, we are hoping to introduce today's youth to the magic of professional theatre and give them a gift they'll have for the rest of their lives. Plus, we are happy to offer quality family entertainment that people can actually afford to bring their family to."

With all the different versions out there of this story, The Public Theatre's adaptation remains many peoples favorite. "We stay true to the heart of the story, while at the same time rejuvenating this familiar tale using a sense of playfulness and imagination", says Schario. "Much of Dickens' original text is used, with six actors sharing narration, and portraying various characters with the aid of a simple costume piece. A live fiddler underscores the story with traditional Christmas music, and a hand-cranked wind machine and a thunder sheet create a delightfully theatrical atmosphere. Uncluttered by spectacle, the audience's imagination is free to soar, and this classic story comes to life in a way you've never imagined."

The Public Theatre's version begins with a child reading a copy of Dickens' novel. As the child reads, five actors and a fiddler magically appear and slowly coax the child into joining the story and becoming the character of Tiny Tim. It's a marvelous metaphor for the way literature grabs and transforms us, as well as an original way of illuminating this inspiring tale of human redemption.

Leading the cast of A Christmas Carol will be Michael O'Brien in the role ofScrooge. Michael is familiar face to Maine audiences following a long history onstage with The Theater at Monmouth and previous appearances at The Public Theatre. The rest of the cast features Russell Berrigan as Marley, Nicholas Perronas Christmas Present, Sheila Stasack as Mrs. Cratchit, Heather Irish as Belle and local young actress Charlie Re Dresdner in the role of the child/Tiny Tim, Returning as the fiddler will be acclaimed musician and storyteller Jennifer Armstrong.

With a top ticket price of only $20 for adults, and $5 for children 18 and under, it's professional theatre at a price even Scrooge would love! Gift certificates for any production throughout the remainder of the season are also available for the holidays.

A Christmas Carol will be performed on Friday, Dec 14th at 7 pm, Saturday, Dec 15that 2 pm and 7pm, and Sunday Dec 16th at 2 pm. For tickets visit thepublictheatre.org or call the Box Office at 782-3200.

Photo: Michael O'Brien as Scrooge