Despite Weather, Ford's Theatre Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Will Go On Today, 12/20

Despite the treacherous forecast in the Washington area, the originally scheduled performance of 'A Christmas Carol' will go on today, December 20, with a 2:30 matinee and a 7:30 evening performance.

The Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 season continues with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and adapted by Michael Wilson, November 23, 2009, to January 3, 2010. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption.

The Ford's Theatre 2009-2010 season continues with "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens and adapted by Michael Wilson, November 23, 2009, to January 3, 2010. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Signature Theatre's Michael Baron directs a new staging that captures the magic and joy of Dickens's classic. Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero (Shakespeare Theatre Company's "King Lear," Round House's "Nixon's Nixon") plays Scrooge.

"With this new production of ‘A Christmas Carol,' I wanted to create a world that evokes the spirit and time period of the Charles Dickens story but with a touch of fancy to celebrate the holiday season," said director Michael Baron. "I wanted music and dancing to come to the forefront and to highlight the clear contrasting ways to lead one's life-either with greed, isolation and selfishness or by understanding the importance of helping those in need, the love of family and compassion for others. My hope is that this production honors not only Dickens's words but also the wonderful theatrical history of Ford's Theatre."

This production is made possible by Sunoco, Inc.; LockheEd Martin Corporation; AT&T Inc.; Siemens Corporation; Occidental Petroleum Corporation; and Oshkosh Corporation. Ford's Theatre's 2009-2010 season sponsors are The Home Depot and Chevron.

THE DIRECTOR

Michael Baron makes his Ford's Theatre directorial debut with "A Christmas Carol." Baron served as associate director of Ford's production of "The Civil War." Baron is Associate Director of Signature Theatre. Regional directorial credits include "LaChiusa's Ladies," "The Little Dog Laughed," "December Divas," "Lost Songs of Broadway I & II," "Sex Habits of American Women," "Songs for a New World" (at Strathmore) and "Ricky, Joe, and Michael John" for Signature Theatre, "School for Scandal" and "A Christmas Carol" for Trinity Repertory and productions for La Mama, Adventure Theatre and the Washington Savoyards. Baron holds an MFA from Trinity Repertory and has taught at American University, Brown University and College of the Holy Cross.

THE CAST

Acclaimed Washington stage actor Edward Gero makes his Ford's Theatre debut as Ebenezer Scrooge. Gero's many Washington credits include more than 70 productions for the Shakespeare Theatre Company including "King Lear" with Stacy Keach. Regional credits include productions for the Goodman Theatre, Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, Round House, Olney and Baltimore's Center Stage, among others. Gero is a 12-time nominee and four-time recipient of the Helen Hayes Award for roles in "Skylight" (Studio Theatre) and Shakespeare's "Henry IV," "Richard II" and "Macbeth" (Shakespeare Theatre Company). Additional credits include narration for The Discovery Channel, Science Channel and National Geographic. Gero has served on the teaching staff of George Mason University since 1990.

"A Christmas Carol" also features Christopher Bloch as Bob Cratchit, Felicia Curry as the ghosts of Christmas Past and Future, Anne Stone as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Drew Eshelman as Jacob Marley with Michael Bunce, Steven Carpenter, Nick DePinto, Erin Driscoll, Jamie Eacker, Eleasha Gamble, Amy McWilliams, Michael A. Pizzi, Stephen F. Schmidt, Margo Seibert, Judy Simmons, Vishal Vaidya, Jacob Yeh and Bronwyn van Joolen.

The young cast of "A Christmas Carol" includes Garrett O'Donnell and Jordi Parry as Tiny Tim with Jaden Burnett, Jaira Noelani Byrams, Colin Cech, Alison Cenname, Jacob Land, Adam LeKang, Marley McKay, Brittany O'Grady, Virginia Tucker and Katja Volker.

THE DESIGNERS

Michael Baron and his designers have invigorated Charles Dickens's timeless tale with fresh staging, additional carols and joyful dancing for the 2009 holiday season. Scenic Designer Lee Savage's striking iron work and worn floor evokes London's Covent Garden marketplace. Alejo Vietti outfits the cast in festive Victorian costumes with playful designs for the ghosts of Christmas Past and Present. The design team also includes Lighting Design by Rui Rita, Original Music and Sound Design by Josh Schmidt, Choreography by Shea Sullivan, Wig Design by Charles G. LaPointe and Choral Direction by Jay Crowder.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

There will be audio-described performances of "A Christmas Carol" on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 12, at 2:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted performances are Thursday, December 10, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 19, at 2:30 p.m.

The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown, offers a special hotel package in conjunction with the Ford's Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol" from November 27-December 7, 2009. The package includes overnight accommodation, breakfast for four at Fahrenheit restaurant, overnight valet parking, four tickets to the Ford's Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol" and hot cocoa by the fire. Package rates start at $699 per night. Interested patrons should contact Hotel Reservations at (202) 912-4159 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Georgetown/Reservations/Packages for reservations or additional information.

The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown hosts a complimentary Meet Scrooge event on November 28, 2009, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. where guests can enjoy hot cider and cookies in the hotel's lobby and mingle with stage actor Edward Gero from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

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