A Christmas Carol Plays The Hubbard Stage, Opens 11/20

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. Recommended for general audiences, children six and older.

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.

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, adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson, from the story by Charles Dickens, directed by Alley Associate Director James Black, begins previews Friday, November 18, opens Sunday, November 20 and runs through Tuesday, December 27.

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