Shakespeare NJ 'A Christmas Carol' Tix On-Sale Now

Tickets for The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's upcoming production of A Christmas Carol are now on sale.   The production will be the American East Coast premiere of this adaptation by British playwright Neil Bartlett based on the novel by Charles Dickens.  This will be only the third time this version has been produced in the United States and the first production of it east of the Mississippi.   Shakespeare Theatre's Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte will direct.  

Performances begin on November 27 and continue through December 31.   Performances are Tuesday through Sundays at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.  Ticket prices are $28-$52.  For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.    

"With a cast of nine portraying more than 50 characters – some unexpected, and many those we have come to know and expect – this innovative take on A Christmas Carol features an incredible landscape of actor generated sound and song and provides a fantastic opportunity for families and people of all ages to experience this tale in a whole new way," describe press notes.

Bartlett's A Christmas Carol was originally created for the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, and contains only Dickens' own words. In addition, Bartlett has included spoken and sung Victorian carols delivered a capella throughout the play.

Playing the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is The Shakespeare Theatre's Sherman Howard. Howard has received critical acclaim for his work in The Shakespeare Theatre productions of Enrico IV, Much Ado About Nothing, Life of Galileo and The Cherry Orchard.

David Andrew MacDonald returns to The Shakespeare Theatre to play Marley's Ghost and the Ghost of Christmas Present.   MacDonald has appeared on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in Pride and Prejudice, Arms and the Man and many others.

Tina Stafford returns to The Shakespeare Theatre to play Mrs. Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig.  Stafford has appeared on the Theatre's stage in Carnival and A Child's Christmas in Wales.  She was recently seen in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers at The Paper Mill Playhouse.

Bob Cratchit is played by Greg Jackson who was seen this season in The Shakespeare Theatre's productions of The Bald Soprano and The Play's the Thing.  His many off-Broadway credits include DUET! and The Comedy of Errors with the Acting Company. 

Shakespeare Theatre veteran Steve Wilson takes on the roles of Fred (Scrooge's nephew) and The Ghost of Christmas Future.   Wilson has appeared in The Rivals, Illyria, As You Like It and The Importance of Being Earnest and many other productions at The Shakespeare Theatre.  His Broadway credits include By Jeeves, Lestat and The Frogs.

Completing the cast of versatile actors portraying more than 50 of Charles Dickens' characters are Ames Adamson, Erin Partin, Betsy Jilka, and Seamus Mulcahy. 

Performances of A Christmas Carol begin on November 27 and continue through December 31 at The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.  For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.