Hartford Stage

Hartford, CT – November 7, 2019 – Connecticut’s beloved holiday favorite, A Christmas Carol-A Ghost Story of Christmas, returns to thrill and delight Hartford Stage audiences for its 22^nd season. This heartwarming adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale runs Friday, November 29, through Saturday, December 28.

Adapted and originally directed by former Hartford Stage Artistic Director Michael Wilson, A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas is directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Associate Rachel Alderman (Cry it Out).

“I am so grateful for the chance to gather this talented and kind cast together for another season. When we remount this play each winter, we bring a year’s worth of new experiences to wrestle with and reflect on in the rehearsal room. And, without fail, we find new truths, hidden gems and fresh ideas to share with our audiences,” Alderman said. “My wish is that our exploration extends beyond the stage and into the community, and together, we set meaningful intentions for the new year.”

Michael Preston returns as Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser who finds redemption on Christmas Eve with the help of three ghostly spirits. Preston is joined by Vanessa R Butler as Fred’s Wife and Belle; Robert Hannon Davis as Bob Cratchit; Kenneth De Abrew as First Solicitor, Undertaker and Fezziwig; Rebecka Jones as Bettye Pidgeon, the Spirit of Christmas Past and Old Josie; Sarah Killough as Ghostly Apparition, Weird Sister, and Fred’s Sister-in-Law; Shauna Miles as Mrs. Cratchit and Mrs. Fezziwig; John-Andrew Morrison as Mr. Marvel; Buzz Roddy as Second Solicitor; Alan Rust as Bert and the Spirit of Christmas Present; Noble Shropshire as Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley; and Terrell Donnell Sledge as Fred and Scrooge at 30.

Student actors from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford include: Evan Ayer as Lamplighter, Fred’s Party Guest; Scott Burrows as 1400s Apparition, Dick Wilkins; Madeline Dalton Female Swing; Pedro Fontes as 18^th Century Apparition, Fezziwig Party Guest, Topper; Megan Gwyn as Rich Lady, Fred’s Party Guest; Renee Hampton as Fiddler; Sarah Milnamow as Napoleonic Apparition, Wendy; Natalie Noack as Medieval Apparition, Nichola; William O’Brien Male Swing; Nathan Podziewski as Tudor Apparition, Teen Scrooge, Fezziwig Party Guest, Fred’s Party Guest; Brendan Roque as Mr. Toby, Spirit of Christmas Future; Kiera Sheehan as Martha Cratchit; and Katie Walsh as Elizabethan Apparition, Fred’s Party Guest.

The artistic team includes scenic designer Tony Straiges; costume designer Alejo Vietti; original costume designer Zack Brown; lighting designer Robert Wierzel; original music and sound designer John Gromada; choreographer Hope Clarke, assisted by Derric Harris; dance captain Sarah Killough; musical director Ken Clark; and vocal coach Rebecca Schneebaum.

Martin Lechner serves as stage manager for the production, assisted by Kelly Hardy. Shelby Demke is the youth director, assisted by Cady Michaels.

United Technologies is the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor of A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas.

Producers for A Christmas Carol–A Ghost Story of Christmas are William & Judith Thompson.

Information and Special Events

Dates & Times – The production runs Friday, November 29, to Saturday, December 28. Weeknight and evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, and select weekday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
Press and Opening Night – Friday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Sensory Friendly Performance – Saturday, December 7, at 2 p.m.
Audio Described Performance – Saturday, December 14, at 2 p.m. For patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss — free service with admission.
Open Captioned Performance – Saturday, December 14, at 2 p.m. For patrons who are blind or have low vision — free service with admission.

Tickets start at $25. For show times and tickets, visit www.hartfordstage.org/christmas-carol or contact the Hartford Stage Box Office at 860-527-5151. Student seats are $15 off the full price, excluding SuperSaver tickets. For group discounts (10 or more), contact Group Sales at 860-527-5151. Group rates are limited to select performances and based on availability.

HARTFORD STAGE

Hartford Stage enters its 56th season beginning an exciting new chapter. Newly-appointed Artistic Director Melia Bensussen and Managing Director Cynthia Rider will continue the theatre’s legacy of artistic excellence by creating theatrical works that enlighten, entertain, and educate.

Renowned for producing innovative revivals of classics, as well as provocative new plays and musicals, Hartford Stage has earned many of the nation’s most prestigious awards, including the 1989 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Additional national recognition includes honors from the Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, American Theatre Wing (OBIE), and the New York Critics Circle.

Hartford Stage has produced over 80 world and North American premieres, including the new musicalAnastasia, which enjoyed a two-year run on Broadway; A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,winner of four 2014 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical; and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Water by the Spoonful, winner of the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other notable premieres include The Engagement Party by Samuel Baum; Make Believe by Bess Wohl; The Age of Innocence by Douglas McGrath; Seder by Sarah Gancher; Rear Window, adapted by Keith Reddin, and starring Kevin Bacon; An Opening in Time by Christopher Shinn; Reverberation by Matthew Lopez; Big Dance Theatre’s Man in a Case with Mikhail Baryshnikov; and Breath & Imagination by Daniel Beaty. Nationally-renowned titles include the New York transfers of Enchanted April; The Orphans’ Home Cycle; Resurrection (later retitled Through the Night); The Carpetbagger’s Children;and Tea at Five.The leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, Hartford Stage’s offerings include student matinees, in-school theatre residencies, teen performance opportunities, theatre classes for students (ages 3-18) and adults, afterschool programs and professional development courses.

The leading provider of theatre education programs in Connecticut, Education @ Hartford Stage offers student matinees, in-school theatre residencies, teen performance opportunities, theatre classes for students (ages 3-18) and adults, afterschool programs and professional development courses. Education @ Hartford Stage programming reaches approximately 21,000 Connecticut students annually.

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