New Version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to Return to McCarter Theatre Center

After 2016's record-breaking inaugural reimagined production brought Charles Dickens' timeless story beyond the stage and into the aisles and lobbies, McCarter Theatre Center has announced the return of A Christmas Carol, directed by Adam Immerwahr. This family-friendly production runs December 5 - 31 in the Matthews Theatre.

Ebenezer Scrooge (Greg Wood) is no fan of Christmas. He "bah humbugs" every glimmer of holiday happiness. Cheer is costly and good-will is bad for business. This Christmas, however, things are going to be a little different. In a new look at an annual McCarter tradition, this exciting new production will usher you into the spirit of the season with all the joy, wonder, and generosity Scrooge discovers.

McCarter's new version of Ebenezer Scrooge's magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future combining period-specific music with 21st century design and special effects. Featuring a cast of professional actors joined by more than three dozen ensemble members chosen from the greater Princeton community, audiences will experience an immersive Dickensian environment from the opening of the theater doors to the final bows. Adults and children will meet Dickensian characters and discover new surprises in the lobbies during the pre-show; and enjoy a myriad of enhanced special effects and new dance numbers on stage.

Since its publication in 1843, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has come to embody everything that is good and right about the human spirit - not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. Originally written in rebuttal of the squalid working conditions of child laborers in Industrial Age England, A Christmas Carol remains a heartwarming tale of redemption, hope, and love. McCarter's latest reimagining of this annual tradition has been honored with acclaim by audiences and critics alike, praising the Community Ensemble, in particular.

A Christmas Carol combines David Thompson's (The Scottsboro Boys) adaptation with music by the late Michael Friedman, choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), scenic design by Daniel Ostling (Metamorphoses), costumes by Linda Cho (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), lighting by Lap Chi Chu (Father Comes Home from the Wars), sound design by Darron L West (Tony Award - Peter and the Starcatcher), and special effects by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). Musical Direction is by Charles Sundquist, who is celebrating his 25th and final year with the show. The 2017 production of A Christmas Carol is dedicated to the memory of composer Michael Friedman.

With an impressive roster of Broadway, regional and international credits, the cast of A Christmas Carol features returning McCarter Carol veterans Jessica Bedford, Anne L. Nathan, Jamila Sabares-Klemm, Sue Jin Song, and Greg Wood. Newcomers include Zeke Edmonds, Michael Genet, Christopher Livingston, Jon Hudson Odom, Jon Norman Schneider, and Thom Sesma.

After an extensive audition process, McCarter is proud to announce members of the 2017 Community and Young Ensembles: Riley Altobelli of Lambertville, NJ; Amy Blair, Jen Ericksen, and Tara Parkman of Ewing, NJ; Mariah Crawford, Melda Grant, Bryanna Martinez-Jimenez, and Shan Williams II of Trenton, NJ; David Danner of Newtown, PA; Jose Dominguez of Edison, NJ; Lew Gantwerk and Sarah Rajkumar of Princeton, NJ: Rosie and Scott Karlin of Plainsboro, NJ; Thom Kummerle of Princeton Junction, NJ; Al LaGratta of Kendall Park, NJ; Valencio Lazarczyk of Whitehouse, NJ; Aimée Miller of New Hope, PA; Mikal Odom of Yeadon, PA; Gloria Schnure of Somerset, NJ; Susan Schwirck and William Hart Strecker of Monroe Twp., NJ; and Henry Miles of Hamilton, NJ.

In addition, two Community Ensemble members are cast in major roles for this production: Mimi B. Francis of North Brunswick, NJ returns as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and Tess Ammerman of Princeton, NJ will feature in the roles of Fan and Miss Kate.

The Young Ensemble is comprised of twelve local children: Jamai Brown and Ayla Delvalle of Trenton, NJ; Ethan Chang of Princeton Junction, NJ; Amelia Cutter of Hopewell, NJ; Adeline Edwards of Kingston, NJ; Romy Engel of Hamilton, NJ; and Camille Grove, Romy Johnson, Michael Karnaukh, Xander Kurian, Stefan Naumoski, and Julianna Pallacan of Princeton, NJ.

Adam Immerwahr (Director) is the former Associate Artistic Director at McCarter (credits include The Understudy and The Mousetrap) and Resident Director at Passage Theater. He is currently Artistic Director of Theater J in Washington, D.C., the nation's premier Jewish theater. NYC directing credits include work at The Public, Theater Row, Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Wild Project, NYU's Studio Tisch and McCarter. Internationally, he directed the African premiere of The Convert (nominated for Zimbabwe's National Arts Medal). Adam has directed and developed work for Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Theater J, Passage, Luna Stage, Hangar Theatre, Bristol Riverside, Premiere Stages, PlayPenn, and others. Recipient of 2010 NJ Theatre Alliance "Applause Award" and 2014 Emerging Nonprofit Leader Award presented by Fairleigh Dickinson University. Drama League Directing Fellow (2008). www.Adamimmerwahr.com.

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Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol runs December 5 - 31 in the Matthews Theatre. Single tickets range from $25 - $102.50 and are on sale now online at mccarter.org, by phone at (609) 258-2787, or in person at the McCarter Theatre Center Ticket Office, located at 91 University Place in Princeton. The production running time is two hours with one 15-minute intermission.

SPECIAL EVENTS:

A Christmas Carol Filibuster - Saturday, December 2 at 2p.m. - Princeton Public Library In anticipation of the opening of McCarter Theatre Center's production of the beloved holiday tale, join in as members of the community read Dickens masterpiece aloud from start to finish in this public reading of the 1843 novella. All are invited and encouraged to attend-individuals, families, book clubs, and groups-and participate by reading a portion of the book. All reading levels are welcome. For more information and to sign up, visit www.princetonlibrary.org.

The Fezziwig Parties - Tuesdays, December 5 and 19 at 6 p.m. - Enjoy hearty appetizers while sipping on holiday inspired cocktails in a family atmosphere fit for all Dickens enthusiasts prior to these performances! Please note: cash bar for alcohol.

Morven Holiday Happiness - Friday, December 8, 2017 - 5:30 p.m. - Morven reception, 55 Stockton Street Princeton Back by popular demand! Enjoy the magic of Morven Museum & Garden's "Festival of Trees." at a pre-theater cocktail reception. Afterwards stroll and carol your way over to McCarter for a 7:30pm performance of A Christmas Carol.

Meet and Greet with Scrooge - Thursday, December 28, 2017 - 2 p.m. - Banish the bah-humbugs with Ebenezer Scrooge at a post-show reception with cookies and hot cocoa.

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McCarter is one of America's leading regional theaters and is the only organization in this country that is a professional producing theater and simultaneously a presenter of major performing artists. Winner of the 1994 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, recent world premiere plays include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2013 Tony Award - Best Play), Miss Witherspoon; The Brother/Sister Plays; Me, Myself & I; Having Our Say; The Convert; and Crowns. Other plays include Broadway productions of Translations; Anna in the Tropics (Pulitzer Prize); and Electra. McCarter is a presenter of world renowned artists such as Lang Lang, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Wynton Marsalis, David Sedaris and many others. Our education/outreach efforts serve tens of thousands through student matinees, in-school residencies, adult education classes, and more. McCarter is supported by contributions from Princeton University, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, many corporations and foundations and from over 3,000 individuals. Discover more at mccarter.org.

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