Houston's seasonal favorite that the Houston Press described as having "Spectacular London sets ...the inimitable Dickens' tale - spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future." A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens' classic story, that follows Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season, through a dazzling production created by Tony Award-winning scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), with costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Rock ‘n' Roll, Mauritius, Eurydice, Cyrano de Bergerac), lighting by Rui Rita (Alley's Eurydice, Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird), and original music by John Gromada (Alley's Subject to Fits, Treasure Island, The Pillowman). Recommended for general audiences.
This season, the Alley Theatre presents its dazzling version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson. Directed by Alley Associate Director James Black, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas begins previews Friday, November 20, opens Saturday, November 21 and runs through Sunday, December 27.
This year, Alley Associate Director James Black directs this production and appears as Jacob Marley in this colorful, comical, and music-filled telling of Charles Dickens' "ghostly little book." Alley Theatre Artist Jeffrey Bean reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge.
The Alley Theatre began producing an annual production of A Christmas Carol in 1988. Michael Wilson's adaptation is an imaginative re-telling of the classic story. In 1990, Wilson - in his first directing project for the Alley - adapted and directed a version of the story that became a national standout for its dancing apparitions and Wizard of Oz like storyline.
Since its inception, the production has developed into a crowd-pleasing holiday favorite, delighting more than 37,000 individuals last holiday season. Dickens' classic tale is a heart-warming and bone-chilling story for audiences of all ages. Through encounters with ghosts - including his late business partner Jacob Marley - Scrooge learns what ill fate lies in store for him if he continues on his greedy and heartless course. An amazing story and an unforgettable theatrical experience, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas fills audiences with warm sentiments of the holiday season.
Charles Dickens' novella, whose full title is A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas was published in 1843 to instant success, selling six thousand copies within its first week. Originally written as a quick money maker to enable Dickens to get out of debt, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve has become one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time. The first stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol dates back to January of 1844 in London and movie adaptations of this story were filmed as early as 1910.
A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas will feature scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Rock ‘n' Roll, Mauritius, Eurydice, Cyrano de Bergerac), lighting by Rui Rita (Alley's Eurydice, Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird), and original music by John Gromada (Alley's Subject to Fits, Treasure Island, The Pillowman).
The cast of more than 30 characters features Alley Theatre Artists Jeffrey Bean as Ebenezer Scrooge; James Belcher as Undertaker and Old Joe; James Black as Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley; Elizabeth Bunch as Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Cratchit; Bettye Fitzpatrick and Julia Krohn will be sharing the roles of Mary Pidgeon and Spirit of Christmas Past; Paul Hope as Second Solicitor and Mr. Fezziwig; Chris Hutchison as Bob Cratchit; Emily Neves as Belle and Fred's Wife; Melissa Pritchett as Rich Lady, Patricia and Ghostly Apparition; David Rainey as Bert and Spirit of Christmas Present; Noble Shropshire as Mr. Marvel; John Tyson as First Solicitor and Fiddler; among others.
A Christmas Carol is sponsored by Lead Sponsor ConocoPhillips and Supporting Sponsor Apache and Ernst & Young LLP. The Alley Theatre is supported by the 2009-2010 season sponsor Continental Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre.
