THEATRE + COMEDY

The Alley Theatre presents Houston's holiday favorite A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas. By Charles Dickens. Adapted and Originally Directed by Michael Wilson. Directed by James Black. On the Hubbard Stage November 18 – December 27, 2011.

Houston's seasonal favorite described by the Houston Press 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, which 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.

This year, Alley Associate Director James Black directs this colorful, comical, and music-filled telling of Charles Dickens' "ghostly little book." Alley Theatre Artist Jeffrey Bean reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge and David Rainey assumes the roles of Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley. 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 34,000 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.

In this production, the cast plays more than 30 characters. The cast features Jeffrey Bean as Ebenezer Scrooge, James Belcher as Bert/Spirit of Christmas Present, Elizabeth Bunch as Mrs. Fezziwig/Mrs. Cratchit, Dylan Godwin as Mr. Marvel, Paul Hope as Second Solicitor/Mr. Fezziwig, Chris Hutchison as Bob Cratchit, John Johnston as 18th Century Apparition/Dick Wilkins/Mr. Topper, Charles Krohn as Undertaker/Old Joe, Julia Krohn as Mary Pidgeon/Spirit of Christmas Past, Melissa Pritchett as Mary Stuart Apparition/Fred's Sister-in-Law, David Rainey as Mrs. Dilber/Jacob Marley, John Tyson as First Solicitor/Fiddler, Bree Welch as Belle/Fred's Wife and Adam Von Wagoner as Fred/Scrooge at Twenty-One, among others.

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas will feature Tony Award-winning scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) with costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Pygmalion, August: Osage County, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps). Lighting is designed by Rui Rita (Alley's Dividing the Estate, Pygmalion, Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps), and original music composed by John Gromada (Alley's Dividing the Estate, Ether Dome, Our Town).

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, previews Friday, November 18, opens Sunday, November 20 and runs through Tuesday, December 27.

Recommended for general audiences, children six and older.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS:

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Saturday, November 19, 2:30 p.m.
The Alley Theatre offers access services for our deaf or hard of hearing and sight-impaired patrons. Audio Description is provided for each Hubbard Stage production and Open Captioning is offered for every Hubbard Stage and Neuhaus Stage production. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance. Discounted tickets are available for groups of 10 or more.

GATOR GIRLS $10 TIX
Saturday, November 26
The Alley Theatre continues its efforts to make the theatre affordable to patrons. Partnering with other social non-profit organizations, the Alley seeks to generate in-kind donations and reward patrons with $10 Tix for select performances. The $10 Tix are available in person only on Saturday, November 26 and are limited to two tickets per person. With your donation, you can purchase two $10 tickets for Saturday, November 26 at 2:30 p.m. Donate and purchase in person at the box office (615 Texas Ave.) on Saturday, November 26 only. Limited availability. The $10 Tix partner for A Christmas Carol is The Gator Girls Club. The date to donate and purchase is Saturday, November 26, beginning at noon. The donated item is inexpensive, new fleece blankets that will be used for The Project Linus Mission.

DECK THE TREES
November 18- January 3
Alley Theatre's Deck the Trees Celebration kicks-off with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 18. Trees will be on display until January 3.