Cast and Creative Team Set for Spoken Word and ASL A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY at The Public Theater of San Antonio

This holiday season, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story will play in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater at The Public Theater of San Antonio, the longest-running theatre company in Texas. In collaboration with Stage Hands, this adaptation of Charles Dickens' timeless novel by Tim Hedgepeth and Anthony Ciaravino is a fully realized production of this classic story in spoken word and American Sign Language. The production has a limited three-weekend run with two Thursday performances. It opens December 1 and runs through December 17, 2023. The creative team is led by Director J.Robert "Jimmy" Moore and Robert Cardoza Jr., with music arrangements and direction by Jaime Ramirez. Dr. Brian Andrew Cheslik will serve as Director of Artistic Sign Language.

Experience Charles Dickens's timeless story, A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, in a truly unique and enchanting way with the use of spoken word and American Sign Language (ASL) shadow performances. Watch in awe as the characters come to life through the graceful movements of ASL highlighting the essence of Ebenezer Scrooge's transformation. This innovative adaptation brings a fresh perspective to the beloved holiday tale, offering a visual and emotional feast for all audiences and featuring hearing, Deaf, and Hard of Hearing performers. Join us for a magical journey of redemption and goodwill as we celebrate the spirit of Christmas through the beauty of theatre, truly connecting communities across language barriers, and ensuring a holiday season you'll never forget.

Director Jimmy Moore adds more about the vision and direction for the production: "I am thrilled to collaborate with Robert Cardoza Jr. from Stage Hands and Dr. Brian Andrew Cheslik from Deaf Austin Theatre on our ASL version of A Christmas Carol at San Pedro Playhouse. Their expertise and passion bring a unique dimension to our production, enriching the story and making it accessible to a wider audience. Together, we are creating a truly inclusive and magical theatrical experience for everyone!"

The cast includes JIM MAMMARELLA as Scrooge, BLAKE HAMMAN as Fred/Young Scrooge, ISIDRO MEDINA III as Bob Cratchit/Dick, JOSE J DE HOYOS JR. as Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present, Melissa Barrera GONZALEZ as Mrs. Fezziwig/ Mrs. Topper, DAVID VARGAS as Marley, GINGER GAMBLE MARTEL* as Mrs. Crachit, Melissa Smith as Belle/Mrs. Fred, ELISE LOPEZ as The Ghost of Christmas Past, JOSHUA COOK as Topper/Charlie, GRANTHAM WOODS, SHELLEY SMITH, and CLAUDIA FLORES as Shadow Performers, REED STAWSER as Little Scrooge/Peter, ELIANA CLEMENTINE BEHREND as Fan/Belinda, ISABELLA GRACE CERVERA as Martha/Young Wife, GRANT TUDER as School Boy.

The creative team includes JIMMY MOORE as Director, ROBERT CARDOZA JR. as Assistant Director, DR. BRIAN ANDREW CHESLIK as Director of Artistic Sign Language, Kate Glasheen as Dialect Coach, JAIME RAMIREZ as Music Director, JACKIE PEREZ as Stage Manager, RACHAEL LORENZETTI as Costume Designer, CARLOS R. NINE as Lighting Designer, ANGELICA "JELLI" VLACH as Props Designer, CARLOS R. NINE as Scenic Designer, Benjamin Farrar as Sound and Projections Designer.

* Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Run time: One hour and 30 minutes with one 15-minute intermission.

Show themes: A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story focuses on the consequences of greed and the power of forgiveness, as well as themes of generosity and compassion.

Events in Celebration of A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story

• Champagne Opening Night - Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• H-E-B Education Night with Post-Show Talkback - Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night - Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

• Pay What You Will Night - Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7:30 p.m.

Media Assets for A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story

• Artwork for 2023-24 Season Click here

• Logo for The Public Theater of San Antonio Click here

• Scenic Design Rendering for A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Click here

Tickets for A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story. Click here

Ticket prices with fees included for Russell Hill Rogers Theater are $50 (Adult), $35 (Military/Student/Older Adults 60+, First-Responders), and $20 (Child Under 12) are available online at www.thepublicsa.org or by phone at (210) 733-7258, for additional information about 20% OFF with a group sales of 8 or more, email boxoffice@thepublicsa.org. The Russell Hill Rogers Theater is wheelchair accessible.

Flex Passes Information for The Public Theater of San Antonio

3-Show Flex Passes are available. Flex Passes for three shows offer a savings of 30% OFF regular adult tickets. Youth Passes are also available. To purchase or learn more about passes, visit www.thepublicsa.org/subscriptions.

CAST

Scrooge - Jim Mammarella

Fred, Young Scrooge, and Citizen Ensemble - Blake Hamman

Bob Cratchit, Dick, and Citizen Ensemble - Isidro Medina III

First Gentleman, Fezziwig, and Ghost of Christmas Present - Jose J De Hoyos Jr.

Mrs. Fezziwig, and Mrs. Topper - Melissa Barrera Gonzalez

Marley, Old Joe, and Citizen Ensemble - David Vargas

Mrs. Dilbert, Mrs. Crachit, and Citizen Ensemble - Ginger Gamble Martel*

Christmas Past, and Citizen Ensemble - Elise Lopez

Belle, Mrs. Fred, and Citizen Ensemble - Melissa Smith

Topper, Charlie, Young Husband, and Citizen Ensemble - Joshua Cook

Shadow Performer and Citizen Ensemble (u/s David Vargas) - Grantham Woods

Shadow Performer and Citizen Ensemble - Shelley Smith

Shadow Performer and Citizen Ensemble (u/s Melissa Smith) - Claudia Rose Trevino

Little Scrooge, Peter, and Citizen Ensemble - Reed Strawser

Fan, Belinda, and Citizen Ensemble - Eliana Clementine Behrend

Martha, Young Wife, and Citizen Ensemble - Isabella Grace Cervera

Tiny Tim - To be announced!

School boy, Turkey Boy, and Citizen Ensemble - Grant Tuder

Scrooge (understudy) - John O Neill

Fred, Young Scrooge/ First Gentleman, Fezziwig, and Ghost of Christmas Present (understudy) - Robert Gonzalez

Mrs. Dilbert, Mrs. Crachit, Mrs. Fezziwig, and Mrs. Topper, Citizen Ensemble (understudy) - Beth Lamy

Martha, Young Wife, Fan, Belinda, and Citizen Ensemble (understudy) - Hannah Watkins

CREATIVE TEAM

Director - J. Robert "Jimmy" Moore

Assistant Director - Robert Cardoza Jr.

Director of Artistic Sign Language - Dr. Brian Andrew Cheslik

Dialect Coach - Kate Glasheen

Music Director - Jaime Ramirez

Stage Manager - Jackie Perez

Assistant Stage Manager/Deck Chief - Mia Mendoza

Costume Designer - Rachael Lorenzetti

Light Designer - Carlos R. Nine

Props Designer - Angelica "Jelli" Vlach

Scenic Designer - Carlos R. Nine

Sound Designer - Benjamin Farrar

Projections Design - Benjamin Farrar

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story is proudly sponsored by Robert K. Brown and Dennis B. Karbach as Presenting Sponsors for the 2023-24 Season.

About The Public Theater of San Antonio

The Public Theater of San Antonio is a non-profit organization producing live professional theater that inspires, educates, and connects communities. As San Antonio's regional professional theater, many volunteers and service contractors contribute to the organization's success. An average of two hundred professionally paid performers and technicians annually participate in productions. Nearly 90% of the performers and creative team members are from the local region. Established in 1912 as the San Antonio Dramatic Club and incorporated on April 6, 1927, as the San Antonio Little Theatre, it is the longest-running theater in South Texas. The company has had other brands, such as The San Pedro Playhouse (1997) and The Playhouse San Antonio (2012). Its most recent brand, The Public Theater of San Antonio, was unveiled on January 7, 2018, to align the organization's new professional vision to the region's needs. The Public Theater has evolved to serve its community as a 501c3 non-profit organization for over a century. Visit www.thepublicsa.org for more information.

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