A New London Christmas Carol at Gateway Playhouse

Based on the classic Dickens' story, A New London Christmas Carol transports premise of A Christmas Carol to modern day New London, Connecticut and one Belle Anderson, a Scrooge-like woman who, like her famous predecessor, is visited by three ghosts to show her her traumatic past, her notorious present and her doomed future.  A New London Christmas Carol is conceived and written by local educator, director and actor Charles “Chip” Garrison, with original music and lyrics by local educator, actor and musician Brian Conover.  Both Garrison and Conover are well-known theater presenters in the South Jersey area.

Debby Jenkins and Jim Dalfonso of the Shaken Not Stirred Players, who have produced, directed and performed in many wonderful theater works locally, are producing A New London Christmas Carol as part of their initiative to present new, original and locally written works at the historic Gateway Playhouse on Bay Avenue.

“The Shaken Not Stirred Players are thrilled to produce this stunning new work by local artists,” stated Ms. Jenkins. “It's the perfect combination of traditional holiday fare and exciting new material that every December show needs.  Audiences will laugh, cry, and surely leave the theater humming their new favorite songs.”

Playing the lead role of Belle Anderson is Karen Kuhrt who made her stage debut at the Gateway Playhouse in 1975.  Karen has appeared in many local productions in New Jersey and has also appeared in film and television, including Mysteries at The Museum, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Succession.  Supporting roles are played by Chloe Verderber, Cormac Morrissey, Christina Luthke, Camille Verso, Mark Glickstein, Teresa Bonilla and Matthew Goodrich.  

Playwright and director Chip Garrison has been the Drama Teacher/Director of Absegami’s award-winning drama program, the Emanon Players, for the past 34 years.  He has also appeared in the musicals The Sound of Music, The Music Man and Annie Get Your Gun with Sojourn productions, and had directed many non-musicals at Dante Hall, the Smithville Show Barn and Stockton University.

Brian Conover is the lead singer and keyboard player for Hawkins Road, a South Jersey band that has been playing at the shore and regionally for more than 30 years.  Brian has also written and sung many local jingles that can be heard on South Jersey radio everyday.  He has been a theater and music teacher at Galloway Township Middle School for 28 years.

“Brian and I have partnered to direct and music direct high school musicals for 25+ years,” said Garrison, “and have always joked about writing our own.  Well, we finally sat down to write together in the summer of 2022.  And, I must say, this musical is no joke.”

Also involved with the project are choreographer Julie Moore, set and lighting designer Peter Avagliano, orchestrator Jim Glenn, sound designer Ed Johnson and production stage manager Stephanie Paton.