The Guthrie To Present New Adaptation For 35th Annual CHRISTMAS CAROL, Goetz To Star, Plays 11/19-12/31

The Guthrie has announced that its 35th annual production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol will receive a new adaptation by Barbara Field, with Gary Gisselman directing the Twin Cities holiday classic for the ninth consecutive season and legendary stage and screen actor Peter Michael Goetz returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge.

The 90-minute, no intermission retelling of this classic holiday production is one that director Gisselman is excited to try out after having staged the production for the past eight years. "I always thought that this story should be told in one breath, especially as it relates to the rhythm of Scrooge's dreams," said Gisselman. "It is one of the world's greatest ghost stories - one that you don't want to stop until it's over - so it is exciting to be working with Barbara and Peter as we craft a new adaptation in celebration of the Guthrie's 35th annual staging."

Goetz, who is currently playing Herbert Soppitt in J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married, is no stranger to the Guthrie's perennial holiday classic, having first appeared in the theater's original adaptation as Charles Dickens - a role he performed from 1975-1978 - and later returning to play Scrooge in 2001, 2002 and 2003 under the direction of Gisselman.

"I am thrilled with Gary's plans for the 35th annual production of this beloved holiday classic," Guthrie Director Joe Dowling said. "With a 90-minute running time, and the wonderful Peter Michael Goetz as Scrooge, A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie will appeal to families this year more than ever before."

The Guthrie began presenting Dickens' immortal story as an annual tradition in 1975. Since then, more than 800 actors have appeared in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie, with 18 different actors playing the role of Scrooge, including King Donovan (1975), Jeff Chandler (1976-1977), Jake Dengel (1978-1979), Richard Hilger (1980-1981), Seth Allen (1982), Richard Ooms (1983-1985, 1991-1995), John Lewin (1986-1988), John Bottoms (1989), Bruce Bohne (1990), Nathanial Fuller (1992-1995), Robert Stattel (1996), Jarlath Conroy (1997-1998), Philip Goodwin (1999), Charles Janasz (2000), Peter Michael Goetz (2001-2003), Charles Keating (2004) and, most recently, Raye Birk (2005-2008). Though the yearly presentation began in 1975, the theater did present a seven-person version of A Christmas Carol in 1972, with Bernard Behrens as Scrooge.

The artistic team for A Christmas Carol includes Neil Patel (Set Designer), Jess Goldstein (Costume Design 1996), David Kay Mickelsen (Additional Costume Designs), Marcus Dilliard (Lighting Designer), Victor Zupanc (Composer), Anita Ruth (Musical Director), Scott W. Edwards (Sound Designer), Michael Lupu (Dramaturgy), Elisa Carlson (Voice and Dialect Coach), Lucinda Holshue (Voice and Dialect Coach), MyRon Johnson (Associate Director/Movement Coach), Jason Clusman (Stage Manager), Justin Hossle (Assistant Stage Manager) and Elizabeth R. MacNally (Assistant Stage Manager).

The complete cast will be announced later this fall.

Performances of A Christmas Carol begin November 19 and continue through December 31 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Priority seating is currently available to season ticket holders (call the Season Ticket Office at 612.225.6238) and groups of 20 or more (call the Group Sales Office at 612.225.6244). Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 8 at 11 a.m. Single tickets are priced from $29 to $70 and can be purchased through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Photo credit: Michal Daniel.