Charles Dickens’ Classic Comes to Life with Song and Enchantment in Theatre Bristol’s “Scrooge! The Musical” Opening November 28
Scrooge!, a popular Theatre Bristol production, will run three weekends at the ARTspace.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, October 2014 – Theatre Bristol presents a major musical production just in time to celebrate the holidays. “Scrooge! The Musical” opens the day after Thanksgiving, November 28, and runs for three weekends, closing with a matinee on December 14. Reservations for this ARTspace production (506 State Street), can be made by calling 423-383-5979.
Scrooge! is the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a lonely miser who is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits who teach him lessons of love and giving. Don’t miss Ebenezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and a whole host of Dickensian characters in this award-winning, international smash hit musical by Leslie Bricusse, which includes such acclaimed songs as “Thank You Very Much,” “A Better Life” and “A Christmas Carol.”
Directing the show will be highly respected and talented actor/director, Theatre Bristol veteran Glenn Patterson (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Miracle on 34th Street). “It is a pleasure to work with this timeless classic. Scrooge! the Musical reminds us that it is never too late to embrace the joy of living,” said Patterson.
Steve Baskett in the title role of Ebenezer “Scrooge,” is joined by a cast of 43. Scrooge experiences other-worldly nightly visits by Jacob Marley played by Bill Locke, The Ghost of Christmas Past by Camille Gray, The Ghost of Christmas Present by Michael Bishop, and The Ghost of Christmas Future by Daniel Freeman. Scrooge is taken back to his youth where he is played as a child by Hope Oliver and his sister Jenny is played by Emma Bishop. Christmas Past then escorts Scrooge to the holiday celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig portrayed by Theatre Bristol veterans Jim Yencha and Dottie Havlik. There, young Ebenezer, Ben Fitton, meets Isabel, Emily Glover.
Christmas Present soon appears and he and Scrooge attend the holiday party of Scrooge’s nephew Harry, also played by Ben Fitton, and Harry’s wife Helen, Lacey Williams. The nightly tour ends with Christmas Future guiding him to the family home of Bob Cratchit played by James Altman, with Mrs. Cratchit by Lee Anne Hitch, Peter Cratchit by Alayna Walker, Kathy Cratchit by Lauren Turner, Martha Cratchit by Eden Phillips, Belinda Cratchit by Emmersyn Hardy, and Tiny Tim by Olivia Stevens.
The townspeople include Mark Hutton as Tom Jenkins, Jim Yencha as the Wine Merchant, Daniel Freeman as Pringle, Ashton Bishop as Mrs. Pringle and Mary, John Mullins as Jollygood/Topper, Seth Gilstrap as Harty/Dick Wilkins, Jaimie Carnell as Miller/Mr. Bleak, April Helton as Bess, Dan Gray as Bissett, Amanda Keith as Mrs. Dilber, Laci Fleenor as Miss Dilber, Alayna Walker as the Beggar woman, and Sabrina Briggs as the lady with a baby.
Urchins returning to the Theatre Bristol stage are Carly Street, Emma Bishop, Carolyn Hitch, Mary Hitch, and Logan Plymal. Urchins making their debut on the Theatre Bristol stage are Ava White, Charli Carpenter, Sutton Hughes, Hope Oliver, Parker Cannon, Parker Collins, Hope Godsey, Thatcher Hutton, Owen Griffith, and Haley Russell.
Robert Greene, Music Director of the 2009 Scrooge! production returns to lend his talent. Jessica Flagg, choreographer for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, returns for Scrooge along with Technical Director and Designer David Hyde. Costume Designer is Andrea Wakely. The Stage Manager is Kaylie Crain, Properties Manager is Matthew Torbett, Emma Kennedy is the Child Wrangler, and the Dance Captain is Camille Gray. Nicholas Thompson is Deck Manager and Steve Baskett is Master Carpenter. Scenic Artists are Jenny Carpenter and Edie Cannon. Graphic Designer is Bert White. Makeup Artists are SaBrina King and Allyson Collins, and Hair Stylists are Sabrina Briggs and Shonda Ollis. Light Board Operator is Renee Hardy and Sound Operator is Jessica Gamble. Promotions provided by Mike Musick and Vince Turner.
Show performances are Fridays, November 28, December 5, December 12 at 7:30 pm; Saturdays, November 29, December 6, December 13 at 7:30 pm; and Sundays, November 30, December 7, and December 14 at 2:30 pm.
“Perhaps one of the best-known modern adaptations of [A Christmas Carol] is the musical Scrooge! by Leslie Bricusse. The musical, made into a film in 1970… is traditional, and the stage show has enjoyed noted success in England, where it was hailed as “Sensational” and “Terrific” by BBC Radio 2; and in the Unites States, where it has become an established favorite of regional playhouses nationwide,” Breaking Character. In Bristol, Scrooge! is a holiday tradition, popular by audiences over the years.
“Scrooge! The Musical” is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.
Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee and now celebrating its 50th season. Its Main Stage season consists of up to five productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 120. Theatre Bristol is entirely volunteer run and we invite you to get involved.
For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-383-5979, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
###
INTERVIEWS: Interviews with the cast or other production members are available. Call 423-956-3525.
PHOTOS
