CINCINNATI (Nov. 1, 2023) – The Christmas classic and Cincinnati family tradition of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens returns to Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park with a new adaptation specifically for Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre. Audiences can experience the dazzling new set, costume and lighting designs beginning Nov. 24. The new production, presented by First Financial Bank, runs through Dec. 30. Opening night is Nov. 30.
“I love A Christmas Carol,” says Blake Robison, Osborn Family Producing Artistic Director, who wrote a new adaptation specifically for the Rouse Theatre and directs the production. “I love seeing so many families of multiple generations come to the theatre together. You have grandparents, parents and kids all attending. I think it centers us as a community. It reminds us of what’s important in life.”
In addition to Robison’s new adaptation, which features additional scenes from Dickens’ classic novella, A CHRISTMAS CAROL includes theatrical staging made possible with the technology in the new theatre that was not possible in the old facility. And Andrew May, who audiences will remember as Hercule Poirot from last season’s Murder on the Orient Express, plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in the new production.
Robison began work on the new adaptation more than a year ago, beginning with a fresh read of the original work by Dickens. His script remains faithful to the story that continues to be part of audiences’ holiday traditions.
“It’s about redemption, and the joy of the season, and finding peace and purpose in the service of others,” Robison explained. “It’s this wonderful parable about a person who is at odds with all the humanity around him. He has carved out a life of loneliness and defensiveness. He’s put his walls around himself. Then, he has a chance to make amends and reconnect with the world. A timeless message, to be sure, but perhaps an especially timely message in our current social environment. It’s a reminder of the better parts of the human soul and spirit and appreciation for the things that make us human.”
CAST
Andrew May – Ebenezer Scrooge
Burgess Byrd – Mrs. Fezziwig
R. Ward Duffy – Topper and Others
Kenneth Early – Mr. Fezziwig, Ghost of Christmas Present
Annie Fitzpatrick – Charwoman and Others
Ryan Wesley Gilreath – Bob Cratchit
Shonita Joshi – Belle, Mrs. Dilber
Zane Kramer – Tiny Tim
Taha Mandviwala – Fred
Grace Manning – Martha Cratchit and Others
Justin McCombs – Solicitor and Others
Kelly Mengelkoch – Mrs. Cratchit and Others
Dina Monk – Fezziwig Guest, Fred Guest
Maggie Lou Rader – Ghost of Christmas Past, Debtor Wife
Jefferson A. Russell* – Jacob Marley and Others
Aaron Schilling – Dick Wilkins and Others
Rory Sheridan – Debtor Husband and Others
Sierra King – Fan and Others
Zach Stone – Young Scrooge, Undertaker
Oscar Syroney – Peter Cratchit and Others
Tess Talbot – Rose and Others
Claire VanderMolen – Belinda Cratchit and Others
Robert Zahniser – Boy Scrooge and Others
Jared Earland – Understudy
Kent Sokolis – Understudy
Lila Rogers – Understudy
Sean P. Mette – Understudy
Yodeet Nymberg – Understudy
PRODUCTION
Playwright/Director – Blake Robison
Set Designer – Wilson Chin
Costume Designer – Bill Black
Lighting Designer – Jaymi Lee Smith
Sound Designer/Composer – Matthew M. Nielson
Puppetry Director – Betsy Rosen
Puppet Design and Fabrication – Daniel Tristan Cupp
Choreographer/Intimacy Coordinator – Casey Sams
Music Director – Steve Goers
Assistant Director – Bridget Leak
Stage Manager – Brooke Redler
Second Stage Manager – Brandon T. Holmes
Second Stage Manager – Andrea L. Shell
Assistant Stage Manager – Shelby Scaffidi
TICKETS
Tickets begin at $35.00. Child and teen tickets begin at $33.50. Preview performances take place Nov. 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. Prices vary depending on performance. Opening night is Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. Regular performances will take place on Tuesday-Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. A weekday matinee will be offered on Dec. 20, 22 and 26 at 2 p.m. No performances on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Playhouse Box Office at 513-421-3888 (toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana at 800-582-3208) or visit http://www.cincyplay.com. Patrons who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled: dial 711 to connect to the Box Office via Ohio Relay Services.
EVENTS
Opening Night:
Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.
Share the excitement of Thursday opening nights with a lively post-show cast party.
ADVISORY
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is suitable for all general audiences, including children ages 5 and older. Due to the full-length nature of the show, children younger than 5 cannot be admitted.
SPONSORS
Presented by First Financial Bank. Additional support provided by the Harold C. Schott Foundation. Design Sponsor is Skidmore Sales & Distributing. Artist Sponsors are Bahl & Gaynor and Frost, Brown Todd. Honorary Producer is Barbara M. Weyand. Media sponsors are WCPO and WARM-98.5. Moe and Jack’s Place — The Rouse Theatre Season is presented by the Schueler Group. Season Design Sponsor is Kerry Automotive.
The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of almost 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation.
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