For the cast of Heritage Theatre’s Christmas Carol, theatre is a often a family affair.
“Casting entire families brings a warmth and a playfulness to a production that is truly wonderful for the cast and for the audience,” says director Tiffany Stoddard. “Families are together and in the mood to celebrate the season and relax at the same time.” Coming in to see this lively and touching version of A Christmas Carol fits the bill perfectly.
The cast contains siblings from four families, two sets of parents, and numerous children, cousins and honorary grandparents from several theatrical families.
Real life father and son pair, Troy and David Hardy, play Bob Crachit and Tiny Tim respectively. Young David won the part of Tiny Tim Cratchit over many other boys and says playing Tiny Tim makes him feel special. The 5 year-old, currently missing both front teeth, has conscientiously practiced walking with a crutch.
Husband and wife team, Dan and Karie Kaminsky, play the festive Fezziwig couple (as well as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Mrs. Cratchit). Mr. and Mrs. Kaminsky, who also have two children in the show, have helped with everything from props to costumes to music for the show.
For many families, A Christmas Carol is already part of their holiday traditions, along with decorating sugar cookies, hanging stockings, and reading the Nativity story. From its original publication a week before Christmas in 1843, A Christmas Carol was immensely popular. Numerous versions have been produced for radio, film, television and the stage. Even the Muppets have put their own unique stamp on the timeless tale.
This version of the tale, by Anthony E. Polermo, includes another essential element of the season: the carols themselves. Interwoven with Mr. Dicken’s snappy dialogue and memorable characters are such classics as What Child is This? God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, and Silent Night, as well as the lesser known, haunting melodies of Coventry Carol and In the Bleak Midwinter among others.
Much of the instrumental music is supplied by the multi-talented cast as well, where even Charles Dickens himself (played by Duane Rice) joins in on his baritone horn at Fezziwig’s party.
It is a Christmas memory in the making for the cast, and the perfect new holiday tradition for audiences and friends of the Heritage Theatre.
A Christmas Carol, based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens, features Nick Velas as the determined miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Performances begin November 26th and run each Monday, Friday and Saturday through December 17th (at 7:30 pm), with matinees December 3rd and 10th (at 2 pm). Tickets are $9 for adults and $8 for children and seniors. Make reservations early to ensure a seat for everyone in the family!
Evening Shows: 7:30 pm, Monday, Friday, Saturday Saturday Matinees: 2:00 pm Please arrive at least fifteen minutes prior to showtime to pick up your reserved tickets at the Box Office. We also have tickets for each performance available to purchase at the Box Office half an hour prior to showtime. Our bigger musicals often sell out toward the end of the run, so be sure to make your reservations early. |