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Britney Nicole Simpson as Ghost of Christmas Past and Bruce Cromer as Ebenezer Scrooge. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

(CINCINNATI) — The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s joyous, time-honored celebration of the true meaning of the holidays returns for its 29th season as First Financial Bank presents Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The beloved, iconic story will be performed Nov. 27 through Dec. 29 in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre. (Opening night is Nov. 29.)

More than 630,000 people have enjoyed the timeless classic at the Playhouse over the past 28 years. An immediate hit when Dickens wrote it in 1843, A CHRISTMAS CAROL is often credited for revitalizing the celebration of Christmas as we know it today.

“Thousands of families return each year to the Playhouse to make A CHRISTMAS CAROL a part of their holiday traditions,” explains Blake Robison, artistic director. “The enduring message of A CHRISTMAS CAROL helps to make it one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions each season and a perfect way to introduce children to the joys of live theatre.”

Adapted by Howard Dallin, Dickens’ narrative comes to vivid life with spectacular effects and hundreds of costumes that illuminate Ebenezer Scrooge’s time-traversing pilgrimage with the spirits one magical Christmas Eve. From his kind-hearted sister Fan and first love Belle to his generous employer Fezziwig and humble clerk Bob Cratchit, Scrooge is repeatedly shown the saving grace of love and concern for humanity.

Bruce Cromer returns to fill Ebenezer Scrooge’s miserly shoes this season for the 15th time, the longest run among the four actors who have played the role, and his son, Charlie, returns for a second season to portray Scrooge as a young adult. Michael Evan Haney is the director of the production.

All show times for A CHRISTMAS CAROL are at 2 p.m. for matinees and 7 p.m. for evening performances to accommodate families with children. Please note the earlier curtain time. There will be no performances on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and selected weeknights in early December.

TICKETS
Prices for A CHRISTMAS CAROL start at $35 for the Nov. 27 preview performance and at $40 for all other performances depending on seat location. Tickets for children and teens are $50, $45 or $30 depending on seat location. Prices are subject to change. Student tickets are just $15 on the day of the show. In addition to calling the Box Office at 513-421-3888, tickets can also be purchased by visiting the Playhouse website at www.cincyplay.com.

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.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be audio described for those with visual impairments at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, and signed for persons with hearing impairments at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. There is a sensory-friendly performance on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

CAST
(in speaking order)

Bruce Cromer (Ebenezer Scrooge); Nick Rose (Mr. Cupp/Percy/Rich Man at Fezziwig’s);
Taha Mandviwala (Mr. Sosser/Topper/Man with Shoe Shine/Guest at Fezziwig’s); Ryan Wesley Gilreath (Bob Cratchit/Schoolmaster Oxlip); Daniel Petzold (Fred); Greg Procaccino (Jacob Marley/Old Joe); Britney Nicole Simpson (Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs. Peake); Benjamin Sheffer (Boy Scrooge/Boy at Fezziwig’s/Bootblack/Streets); Ari Elizabeth Johnson (Fan/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Douglas Rees (Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present); Annie Fitzpatrick (Mrs. Fezziwig/Patience/Streets); Nicolás Acosta (Dick Wilkins/Streets); Jo Garcia-Reger (Mary [Scrubwoman at Fezziwig’s]/Caroler/Streets); Charlie Cromer (Young and Mature Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future); Sara Masterson (Belle/Catherine Margaret); Joshua Carandang (Constable at Fezziwig’s/Man with Pipe/Caroler/Streets); Kelly Mengelkoch (Mrs. Cratchit/Laundress/Streets); Teancom Thacker (Peter Cratchit/Gregory/Apprentice at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Ashlynn Isabel Hezlep (Belinda Cratchit/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Mia Goodlett (Martha Cratchit/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Roshan Chitnis (Tiny Tim); Julia Gomez (Rose/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Caroler/Streets; Stephen Tait (Ignorance/Matthew/Apprentice at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Teagan Farmer (Want/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Shonita Joshi (Mrs. Dilber/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Ethan Graham Roeder (Undertaker/Caroler/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Sabian Swan (George/Charles/Rich Son at Fezziwig’s/Streets); Deja Elliott (Poulteress/Guest at Fezziwig’s/Streets)

PRODUCTION
Michael Evan Haney (Director); James Leonard Joy (Set Designer); David Murin (Costume Designer); Kirk Bookman (Lighting Designer); David B. Smith (Sound Designer/Composer); Steve O’Shea (Lighting Contractor); Cindy Witherspoon (Costume Coordinator); Rebecca N. Childs (Music Director); Dee Anne Bryll (Choreographer); Stephanie Klapper, CSA (Casting Director); Andrea L. Shell (Stage Manager); Jenifer Morrow (Second Stage Manager)

SPONSORS
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is presented by First Financial Bank. The design sponsor and artist sponsor/Ghosts is Ohio National Financial Services. Artist sponsor/Ebenezer Scrooge is AAA/Provident Travel. Artist sponsor/Tiny Tim is Bahl & Gaynor.  Additional support is provided by The Stona Fitch Family.

The Robert S. Marx Theatre Season is presented by Schueler Group. Season Sponsor of New Work is The Rosenthal Family Foundation.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 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 and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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EVENTS

HOXWORTH BLOOD DRIVE
Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join the Playhouse and Hoxworth Blood Center for our 24th annual blood drive! Donors will receive a voucher for half-price tickets for select performances of A Christmas Carol and Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. You’ll also leave knowing that you provided life-giving support to those in need, saving up to three lives with your single donation.
For an appointment, visit www.hoxworth.org/groups/playhouse. Appointment times are limited, so you are strongly encouraged to reserve your spot in advance.

SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE
Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m.
This performance is specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities. The Playhouse removes sensory challenges and provides various accommodations to address needs by making technical adjustments to the production (such as sound modifications and removing fog, haze and certain kinds of lighting). Offstage accommodations are also available.

Recommended for first-grade and older students and adults. Tickets cost $15 per person. Companion seats can also be purchased. To reserve tickets for this special performance, please contact Valerie Perez at 513-977-2028, or valerie.perez@cincyplay.com. To read about accommodations, modifications and our philosophy surrounding the event, visit our blog.

CRATCHIT FAMILY FOOD DRIVE
Help a neighbor in need by participating in the Playhouse’s annual Cratchit Family Food Drive to support the Freestore Foodbank. To donate, simply bring a nonperishable food or personal care item to the Playhouse when you come for a performance in November or December and place it in one of the barrels located near the Box Office. Food items that are always in demand include canned meat products; canned vegetables; fruits and soups; peanut butter; and macaroni and cheese. Personal care items include soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and disposable diapers. Please, no glass items.