It’s become an annual tradition in the Pioneer Valley.
Over the past 19 years, families have been thrilled by Hartford Stage’s production of Charles Dickens’ ghostly, heartwarming tale of redemption, which introduced the exclamation “Bah! Humbug!” and popularized the perennial greeting “Merry Christmas.” Adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson, A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas is now directed by Hartford Stage Artistic Associate Rachel Alderman.
“This holiday season, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Michael Wilson’s gorgeous production of ‘A Christmas Carol;’ and we are thrilled that Michael Preston, a beloved member of our company, is taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge,” said Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak. “Join us for a great Hartford holiday tradition.”
Alderman added, “This season, I am joyfully haunted by Scrooge’s vow at the end of the play to ‘live in the past, the present and the future.’ So, too, do we strive, with this 20th anniversary production, to pay homage to the past two decades of holiday theatre magic, while presently welcoming new cast members into our Hartford family, in anticipation of sweet, future memories yet to come.”
A talented cast
New to the company for this year’s performance are the following: Kenneth De Abrew as First Solicitor/Undertaker/Fezziwig; Shauna Miles as Mrs. Cratchit/Mrs. Fezziwig; and John-Andrew Morrison as Mr. Marvel.
Buzz Roddy returns to play Scrooge for the student matinee performances. Roddy also portrays the Second Solicitor in all public performances.
Returning cast members in new roles are Vanessa R Butler as Fred's Wife/Belle and Rebecka Jones as Bettye Pidgeon/Spirit of Christmas Past/Old Josie.
Cast members reprising their roles are Robert Hannon Davis as Bob Cratchit; Sarah Killough as Ghostly Apparition/Fred’s Sister-in-Law; Alan Rust as Bert/Spirit of Christmas Present; Noble Shropshire as Mrs. Dilber/Jacob Marley; and Terrell Donnell Sledge as Fred/Scrooge at 30.
The cast also includes fourteen student actors from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, as well as 24 youth actors from cities and towns throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts who fill the roles of school children, partygoers and younger versions of the starring roles.
Dates and tickets
The production runs through Dec. 30. Weeknight and evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and select weekday matinees begin at 2 p.m.
Ticket prices start at $25. For all show times and tickets, visit www.hartfordstage.org/christmas-carol or contact the Hartford Stage Box Office at 860-527-5151. Student seats are $15 off the full price, excluding SuperSaver tickets. For group discounts (10 or more), contact Group Sales at 860-520-7114. Group rates are limited to select performances and based on availability.
Special performances for patrons with disabilities
Hartford Stage offers two performances of “A Christmas Carol” that have been adapted to enhance the theater experience for patrons with hearing and visual disabilities:
Audio described performance
On Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. Hartford Stage presents an audio described performance of “A Christmas Carol” for patrons who are deaf or have hearing loss. This is a free service with admission.
Open captioned performance
On Dec. 17 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Hartford Stage presents an open captioned performance of “A Christmas Carol” for patrons who are blind or have low vision. This is a free service with admission.
Shop before the play!
Hartford Stage presents Holiday Market Days – a shopping experience for patrons that will add a bit more magic to your visit!
At the Dec. 3, matinee performance; the Dec. 9, matinee and evening performances; the Dec. 10, matinee; the Dec. 16, matinee; and the Dec. 17, matinee and evening performances, local vendors will showcase unique items for purchase in the Hartford Stage lobby.
Doors will open before the show at 12:30 p.m. for matinee performances, and 6:30 p.m. for evening performances. Booths will also be open during intermission and after the show.
Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church St. in Hartford, CT.
