Trinity Rep Community Groups to Take the Stage in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Trinity Rep announces a special addition to this year's 40th anniversary production of A Christmas Carol. As part of its ongoing efforts to forge deeper connections with The Rhode Island community, Trinity Rep has invited 18 different community groups to perform in every public performance of this year's production.Celebrating the community-driven spirit of Southern New England's favorite holiday tradition, co-directors Angela Brazil and Stephen Thorne are excited to invite these groups on stage to share in the spotlight. Each community group will perform in three consecutive performances throughout the course of the run of the show. A Christmas Carol will run November 9 - December 31, 2017, with acting company member Joe Wilson, Jr. in the role of miserly businessman Ebenezer Scrooge. More information is available online at TrinityRep.com/Carol.

Co-directors Angela Brazil and Stephen Thorne, along with Community Engagement Coordinator Rebecca Noon, have connected with non-profit and service groups across Rhode Island to invite them on to the Chace Stage for this special production. The following community groups will be performing: The Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket, The Boys and Girls Club of Woonsocket, Dance for the Aging Population, Dorcas International, Festival Ballet Theater, Girls Rock! Rhode Island, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), The Manton Avenue Project, Partnership for Providence Parks, Progreso Latino, Rhode Island Latino Arts (RILA), Seven Hills Foundation, Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR), Tenderloin Opera Company, Tomaquag Museum, Veteran's Administration, YouthBuild Preparatory Academy, and Youth Pride.

"This is a story about someone who's chosen to isolate himself from his community, at great cost to that community and to himself. It couldn't be a more timely story; in our current fractured landscape, the importance of community, of looking at and really seeing each other, is critical," said co-director Angela Brazil. "We're thrilled to feature folks from our Rhode Island community who do work we think is invaluable here, work we want our audiences to know about. And the company of A Christmas Carol is so excited to play with these brand-new actors!"

"I am very excited about working with our community groups in our production because a big part of this story is about seeing - actually seeing and connecting with - the world around us, as opposed to being 'solitary as an oyster' as Scrooge is," remarked co-director Stephen Thorne. "Dickens suggests that Christmas is one of the only times of year when we make an attempt to think about the people around us, whether family or strangers - so it seems natural to actually see more folks from our Rhode Island community and to actively include them in this amazing yearly community event that is A Christmas Carol."

Bringing community groups on stage builds on Trinity Rep's A Christmas Carol's longstanding commitment to the Rhode Island community. Since 2006, the cast has raised money at curtain after every show for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank to help Rhode Islanders in need and remind audiences to bring the spirit of Dickens' story into their lives and the rest of Rhode Island. Trinity Rep has raised over $400,000 since 2006 for the Food Bank thanks to the generosity of audience members.

A Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep is presented by Cardi's Furniture with supporting sponsors Amica Insurance and Hasbro, Inc. This year's production is dedicated to Stephen Hamblett and his love for the story of A Christmas Carol.

Rhode Island's Tony Award-winning theater, Trinity Rep has created unparalleled professional theater for and with its community since its founding in 1963. Trinity Rep strives to facilitate human connection and has been a driving force behind the creativity that fuels and defines the region for more than 50 years.

Trinity Rep is committed to reinventing the public square and inspiring dialogue by creating emotionally-stimulating live productions that range from classical to contemporary and innovative education programs for all ages and abilities. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has brought families together for 40 years and made memories for over a million audience members.

Subscriptions for the 2017-18 season now on sale. The season includes Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, Into the Breeches! by George Brant, Othello by William Shakespeare, Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías, and Ragtime by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.TrinityRep.com.