The Cumberland Theatre will conclude their 33rd Main Stage Season with the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol. The show opens this weekend and ru
ns through December 19th. The show tells the familiar story of the notoriously grumpy miser, Ebenezer Scrooge who, after being visited by ghosts from his past, present and future, the Ebenezer has a true meaning-of-life question on his hands. Should he continue to live as a wretched miser or join the world around him as a decent, caring human being?
The show features several veteran actors – both local and visiting – as well as a few new faces to the CT stage. Heading the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge will be Cumberland native Bill Dennison, who recently returned to the area. Playing his faithful clerk Bob Cratchit is local actor and teacher Marty Jellison. Both actors were last seen in October’s production of CLUE on Stage.
Playing the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present will be Kimberli Rowley and Sean Besecker. Rowley is the Co-Artistic Director of the Cumberland Theatre and Besecker was last seen on the CT stage in The Great Gatsby. Both will also be featured in several other smaller roles throughout the production. Returning the CT stage as both Jacob Marley and nephew Fred will be Hagerstown actor Seth Thompson who was previously seen in last summer's Moonlight and Magnolias.
The Cratchit family will feature Johnna Leary (Mrs. Cratchit), Brielle Windle (Martha), Ava Breighner (Ellen), Thomas Kifer (Peter) and Lennon Windle, who is making his CT debut, as Tiny Tim.
Playing a bevy of supporting roles and telling the story as narrators will be Frank Asher, Kerala Bannister, Nicole Halmos, Hayden Kline, Brendon McCabe, Connor McCabe, Oliver Nau, Josh Ruppenkamp and Olive Wolford.
The show is being directed by guest director Matt Kurzyneic who was last seen as Wadsworth in CLUE on Stage and has also appeared at CT in Assassins and Meteor Shower. Originally from Michigan, Matt now resides in New York City where he has worked in many venues including the Gershwin Theatre.
Creative team members include Danny Durr (choreography), Nicole Mattis (dialect coach), Rhett Wolford (set design), Jennifer Clark (costume design), Trevor McCabe (prop design), Bill Dennison (stage manager/assistant director), and Hayden Kline (assistant stage manager).
The show is being sponsored by Mary Splain Shrout with additional funding from the Queen City Creamery and MIXX Boutique. It is being performed December 2nd - 19th with Thursday – Saturday performances at 8:00 pm and Sunday shows at 2:00 pm. On Friday, December 10th, a holiday wine tasting will be held before the performance for an additional fee. Tickets can be purchased at www.cumberlandtheatre.com or reserved by calling 301.759.4990.