Charleston Stage Brings An All New Theatrical Production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL to the Historic Dock Street Theatre On Nov. 30th

Gabriel Wright (L) and Louie Chaplin Moss (Credit: Reese Moore Photography)

Press Release

A brand new production of Dickens’s classic featuring colorful new sets and costumes and an inventive new holiday score. Filled with the carols of the season and magical special effects that transport us to 19th century London, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, despite himself, discovers once again the magic of Christmas. 

Julian Wiles, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Charleston Stage, asks, “Why has this tale of Scrooge and Tiny Tim and friends endured for over 200 years? In addition to the many marvelous characters and situations Dickens gives us in A Christmas Carol, this special story holds out the possibility for change and renewal—something I think everyone longs for. What is truly miraculous about us frail human beings is that we do indeed have the capacity to change and grow.”

A Christmas Carol was Charleston Stage’s first production as a newborn theatre company in 1978, known then as The Young Charleston Theatre Company. As Wiles recalls, “Despite the fact that sets and costumes were modest, the production was a hit and launched Charleston Stage into 45 years of imaginative productions.” Now, it has become a Charleston tradition that families across the lowcountry enjoy year after year at the historic Dock Street Theatre.

But this year’s production brings in a few elements of surprise. Wiles continues, “Although this is Charleston Stage’s 22nd production of A Christmas Carol, this production is brand new—all new sets, costumes, and updates to my original script adaptation. The stunning new scenery features a dozen hand-painted drops and sets created by Guest Scenic Designer Susan Crabtree, faculty member of the North Carolina School of the Arts and one of America’s premiere scenic painters. Over 80 original, colorful costumes have been built by Charleston Stage’s professional costume staff and designed by Guest Costume Designer, Janine McCabe, chair of the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance. And while the score features many familiar traditional carols, Charleston Stage’s Resident Music Director, Sam Henderson, has created new and bright arrangements and orchestrations for each number.”

McCabe shares further about her costume designs for this spectacular performance. “My design style tends towards the use of saturated color and textures, so designing A Christmas Carol has given me the opportunity to really play with that. Getting into the historical research of the early to mid 1800s demonstrated a fantastic use of color and mixing patterns and textures in the time period.”

The cast features Guest Actor Gabriel Wright, a former Resident Actor with Charleston Stage now appearing on behalf of the Actor’s Equity Association as Ebenezer Scrooge. Season 45 Resident Actors include Cody Elsensohn as Bob Cratchit (“Max/Cecil Haversham/Arthur” in The Play That Goes Wrong and “Ensemble” in The Addams Family- A New Musical), Raymond Cronley as Fred (“Jonathan/Charles Haversham” in The Play That Goes Wrong and “Lucas Beineke” in The Addams Family – A New Musical), Brietta Goodman as The Ghost of Christmas Present (“Ensemble” in The Addams Family- A New Musical), K’nique Eichelberger as Young Ebenezer and The Ghost of Christmas Future (“Dennis/Perkins” in The Play That Goes Wrong and “Ensemble” in The Addams Family – A New Musical), and Jenna Barricklo as Belle (“Wednesday Addams” in The Addams Family- A New Musical). Other talents include Acting Ensemble Member Colin Waters as The Ghost of Christmas Past (“Robert/Thomas Colleymore” in The Play That Goes Wrong and “Uncle Fester” in The Addams Family- A New Musical) and former Resident Actor Patrick Brett as Jacob Marley (“The Beast” in Beauty and the Beast and “Lurch” in The Addams Family- A New Musical). Over twenty additional actors from the Resident Acting Company, Charleston Stage Performance Troupe (who will be rotating roles throughout the run), and local community round out the cast as the Ensemble.

Charleston Stage’s A Christmas Carol features the Direction of Founder and Producing Artistic Director Julian Wiles, Music Direction by Resident Music Director and Director of Music Education Sam Henderson, Choreography by Resident Actor K’nique Eichelberger, Set Designs by Guest Scenic Designer Susan Crabtree, Costume Designs by Guest Costume Designer Janine McCabe, Property Designs by Properties Supervisor Aline Toloto, Lighting Design by Resident Lighting Designer Caleb S. Garner, Sound Design by Resident Sound Designer Luke Walchuk, and Stage Management by Resident Stage Manager Ravyn T. Meador.

Performances of A Christmas Carol run November 30th – December 21st at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Tickets sales are available online at CharlestonStage.com.

CHARLESTON STAGE’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nov. 30      Wed    7:30pm *PNC Pay-As-You-Please

Dec. 2        Fri    7:30pm **Opening Night

Dec. 3        Sat    7:30pm

Dec. 4        Sun    2:00pm

Dec. 8        Thu    7:30pm

Dec. 9        Fri    7:30pm

Dec. 10       Sat    2:00pm

Dec. 10       Sat    7:30pm

Dec. 11        Sun    2:00pm

Dec. 14        Wed    7:30pm

Dec. 15        Thu    7:30pm

Dec. 16        Fri    7:30pm

Dec. 17        Sat    2:00pm

Dec. 17        Sat    7:30pm

Dec. 18        Sun    2:00pm

Dec. 20        Tue    7:30pm

Dec. 21        Wed    2:00pm

Dec. 21        Wed    7:30pm

 
A Christmas Carol Prices:

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