Hartford Stage Announces Cast of 19^th Annual Production of A Christmas Carol

Hartford, CT – October 28, 2016 – Hartford Stage today announced the cast of the 19th annual production of A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. Adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson, A Christmas Carol will now be helmed by Hartford Stage Artistic Associate Rachel Alderman. This year’s production also marks Bill Raymond’s final season as Ebenezer Scrooge.

The holiday classic runs November 25 through December 30. United Technologies serves as the Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for A Christmas Carol.

“I am thrilled to join the family and continue this beloved holiday tradition. From the tiniest Tim to the enthusiastic Hartt students to the incredible professional company led by the incomparable Bill Raymond – I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with this spirited team to bring the 19^th production to life,” Alderman said. “I’m grateful to have such a joyful, warm home for the holidays and, even better, the chance to share it with intergenerational theatre-going audiences from across Connecticut and beyond.”

Alderman’s recent directorial credits include: Gross Domestic Product (Hartbeat Ensemble); Freewheelers, The Library Project and Head Over Wheels (A Broken Umbrella Theatre); and Stories of a New America (Collective Consciousness Theater, written by Aaron Jafferis). She has served as Associate Director/Assistant Director for A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage), Ether Dome (Alley Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Hartford Stage and Huntington, dir. Michael Wilson), Dividing the Estate (Alley Theatre, Old Globe, dir. Michael Wilson), and Gem of the Ocean (Hartford Stage, dir. Hana Sharif). Alderman has also worked in a variety of artistic capacities in Connecticut with Elm Shakespeare Company, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, and Long Wharf Theatre. She is a recipient of the Denham Fellowship from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in support of Freewheelers, which she also wrote.

Bill Raymond returns for his 17th and final season as Ebenezer Scrooge for all public performances except for the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. shows on Monday, December 26. In the 60s, Raymond was a featured member of the renowned San Francisco Mime Troupe. Stage credits also include the 2008 revival of Gypsy on Broadway and nearly 20 years with the experimental theatre troupe Mabou Mines. His many film credits include Lincoln, Michael Clayton, Twelve Monkeys and Dogville. A veteran of more than 100 TV appearances, he is best known for his recurring roles on “Damages” and HBO’s “The Wire.” He currently appears as Dr. Carroll on the new PBS/CPTV series “The Cobblestone Corridor.”

Buzz Roddy (Law & Order, 30 Rock) returns to portray Scrooge for the student matinee performances and both the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. performances on Monday, December 26.

The cast also includes Vanessa R Butler as Ghostly Apparition/Weird Sister; Robert Hannon Davis as Bob Cratchit; Rebecka Jones as Mrs. Cratchit/Mrs. Fezziwig; Johanna Morrison as Bettye Pidgeon/Old Josie/Spirit of Christmas Past; Flor De Liz Perez as Mrs. Fred/Belle; Michael Preston as Mr. Marvel;  Alan Rust as Bert/Spirit of Christmas Present; Noble Shropshire as Mrs. Dilber/Jacob Marley; Terrell Donnell Sledge as Fred/Young Scrooge; and Charlie Tirrell as First Solicitor/Mr. Fezziwig/Undertaker.

Student actors from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford include: Troyer Coultas, Hannah Dalessio, Jillian Frankel, Nate Healey, Joey Heimbach, Spencer S. Lawson, Margaret Anne Murphy, Cara Rashkin, Eve Rosenthal, Billy Saunders, Greg Seage, Daniel Shea, and Madeline Stevens.

Martin Lechner serves as Stage Manager for the production, assisted by Kelly Hardy. Shelby Demke is the Youth Director, assisted by Cady Michaels. Hartford Stage Artistic Assistant Fiona Kyle is the dramaturg.

The artistic team also includes set designer Tony Straiges; costume designer Alejo Vietti; lighting designer Robert Wierzel; original music and sound designer John Gromada; choreographer Hope Clarke, assisted by Derric Harris; dance captain Vanessa R Butler; musical director Ken Clark; and vocal coach Ben Furey.

Since its arrival in Hartford, A Christmas Carol has garnered rave reviews not only from audiences but from critics, as well. The Hartford Courant says of A Christmas Carol: “Round of applause to Noble Shropshire, who as Jacob Marley does some spectacular high-flying maneuvering – and acting – amid more clouds of dry ice that could shroud the banks of London…More than a quarter of a million people have laughed, cried and been moved by Bill Raymond’s dastardly, delightful and heart-filled Scrooge.”

Information and Special Events

• Dates & Times – The production runs November 25 to December 30. 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 2 at 7:30 p.m.
  
• Holiday Market Days – Sunday, December 4, 2016; Saturday, December 10, 2016; Sunday, December 11, 2016; Saturday, December 17, 2016; and Sunday, December 18, 2016. Local artisans will showcase unique gift items for sale in the Geo & Laura Estes Lobby from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
  

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 rates available. For group discounts (10 or more), contact Theresa MacNaughton at 860-520-7114. Group rates limited to select performances and based on availability.