Wayside Theatre Changes Christmas Lineup, Gives New Piece More Development Time

Wayside Theatre Artistic Director Warner Crocker announced today that its original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol is returning to its stage for Christmas 2010. Wayside Theatre had originally schedule the world premiere of Richard Follett and Larry Dahlke's adaptation of Gloria Houston's book, An Almost Perfect Christmas Tree for the popular Christmas slot. But after the authors and theatre staff reviewed the latest draft all agreed that they were on to something very special and very magical, but that the piece needed more time in development before it was ready for the public.

According to Crocker, "this happens with new work all the time. Richard and Larry had given us something really wonderful, but in the last draft their work lifted it to new heights, and we all agreed that to rush it into production this Christmas would not be beneficial to the piece nor to Wayside Theatre audiences. Wayside Theatre remains very, very excited by what Richard and Larry are creating and we are looking forward to presenting it as an amazing Christmas Gift to our audiences in a future season."

According to Follett, "Larry and I are fortunate that the Wayside Theatre staff is working so carefully with us to help us create this new musical. Many organizations would have rushed us to complete something we think will eventually prove to be very special, but Warner and his staff have showed excellent cooperation in allowing us to move forward."

Crocker said, "While our artists were looking forward to working this season on a world premiere, we are really excited to bring back our recent musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol that delighted so many in 2008.

Audiences of all ages were enthralled with the production concept, the music, and the story telling, and we're looking forward to rediscovering it ourselves this year."

A Christmas Carol was adapted from the Charles Dickens classic by Crocker and resident composer and music director Steve Przybylski, first in 2003 and later in 2008. It features the familiar tale of Ebenezer Scrooge told with an ensemble of actors who play everything from characters to furniture.

The Holiday Production is sponsored by McDonalds, Country Inns and Suites, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and WINC- FM. The WINC-FM Chain of Checks Evening is Wednesday, December 1 at 7:30 PM.

Single ticket will go on sale to 2010-2011 Subscribers on Tuesday, September 7 and to the General Public on Monday, October 4th.

A Christmas Carol will begin performances on November 27 with an Opening Night scheduled for Sunday, November 28 at 6:30 pm. It will run through Friday, December 24. Performances are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM and Sunday evening at 6:30 PM. On Thursday and Friday, December 23 and 24th there will be 2:30 PM matinees. Some performances are sold out. Tickets for A Christmas Carol are $30 for Friday and Saturday evening performances and $25 for all other performances, Children 5 to 17 years old can attend any performance for $10. Senior and Student discounts are available upon request, as well as group discounts. There will be one special priced performance on Saturday November 27 at 7:30 PM.

Call to reserve your tickets at (540) 869-1776 so you and your family will experience, enjoy and become part of the wonderful Shenandoah Valley Holiday Tradition.

Wayside Theatre is the second oldest professional theatre in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is celebrating its 49th season of presenting high quality, professional entertainment. Single tickets, subscription packages and group packages can be obtained by calling the box office at (540) 869-1776. Additional information can be obtained on the theatre's website at www.waysidetheatre.org. Wayside Theatre is located in Middletown, Virginia on Route 11, Main Street, just north of the intersection of I-66 and I-81.