The inspiring and heart- warming classic, “A Christmas Carol,” opens Friday, December 4th for Chestertown’s Winterfest Weekend at the Garfield Center for the Arts, and runs for three consecutive weekends. The song-filled adaption, directed by Tess Hogans, will feature classic English carols by the Chester River Youth Chorale.
This tale of redemption was first published in 1843, and is considered one of the main influences in the restoration of the Christmas holiday. The book has never been out of print since then. Ebenezer Scrooge, his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, the long-suffering Bob Cratchit, and his son Tiny Tim have been portrayed on television, ballet, opera, films, and audio recordings as well as theatrical performances.
The cast of characters include James Diggs- Scrooge, John Mann-Cratchit, Jakob Diggs – Fred, Tom Dorman – Gentleman #1, Howard Messick – Marley’s Ghost, Audrey Betley – Ghost of Christmas Past, Brad Chaires – Ghost of Christmas Present, Bryan Betley – Ghost of Christmas Future & Scrooge-the-Man, Jessika Diggs – Belle & Maid, Melissa McGlynn – Mrs. Cratchit, Ashley Lawton – Niece, Kirby Powell – Topper & Dick, Hester Sachse –Constance & Dancer, David Ryan – Mr. Fezziwig & Scrooge’s Dead Body, Athaline Hall – Mrs. Fezziwig, Jim Landskroener – Old Joe, Older Belle’s Husband & Dancer, Diane Landskroener – Bag Lady & Dancer, Jane Jewell – Mrs. Dilber, Juanita Wieczoreck – Older Belle, She & Dancer, Andy Price – Gentleman #2, Rob Note – Gentleman # 3 & Image of Ali Baba, Jeffrey Warden – He, Poulter & Dancer, Ruby Doyle – Fan, Connor Quigg – Little Scrooge, Kaylee Raimond – Want & Dancer, Shane Saunders – Ignorance, Belle’s Child & Dancer, Maya McGrory – Martha, Hope Price – Martha (for 12/4 only) & Belle’s Child, Delaney McCreary – Belinda, Joseph Diggs – Peter, Brooke McAdory –Edith, Quentin Bergenholtz – Tiny Tim, and Merritt Connor – Belle’s Child & Little Girl.
Production staff and crew are Bryan Betley, assistant director, Jacob Chaires, stage manager and Te’ron Hopkins, stage crew. Assisting with set design and decoration are Butch Clark, James Diggs, Tess Hogans, Bryan Betley, Jim Landskroener, Jeff Warden, Stu Cawley, Stephanie Halliann and Howard Messick. Julie Lawrence directs the Chester River Youth Chorale.
The show runs for three weekends, December 4 – 6, 11 – 13, and 18 – 20. Performance times are 8 PM Fridays and Saturdays, with a 3 PM Sunday matinee. Tickets are available on line at www.GarfieldCenter.org, or by calling the box office at 410 801 2060. The show is sponsored in part by Bill Arrowood. In the spirit of the season, $1 from ticket sales for each of the Winterfest performances will be donated to the Samaritan Group’s emergency winter home shelter. The audience is also encouraged to bring a canned or dry goods donation for the Community Food Pantry.
For more information please visit www.GarfieldCenter.org. The Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre is located at 210 High Street, Chestertown, MD, 21620.
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