By: Taylor Roberts ~Staff Writer~
The three ghosts of Christmas will haunt the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park’s Robert S. Marx Theatre for the 25th annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” presented by U.S. Bank. The classic Christmas story, written by Dickens in 1843, became an instant success and is credited for revitalizing the celebration of Christmas through the time-traveling adventures Ebenezer Scrooge embarks on with the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Yet to Come. The timeless tale enjoyed by Cincinnatians each holiday season inspires countless classic and contemporary television and stage adaptations each year.
The Playhouse’s version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Howard Dallin, illuminates Scrooge’s transformation on one magical Christmas Eve with spectacular effects from the creative team. With its heartwarming message, this play remains one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions each season. “It is a recurring joy to bring Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ to life every holiday season,” Michael Evan Haney, who is directing the production for the 23rd time, said.
He has also been associated with “A Christmas Carol” since 1991, when he played Bob Cratchit for two seasons. “I love watching the children filing into the Playhouse dressed in their holiday finery to experience this play for the very first time. I feel proud that this production has become a tradition for so many Cincinnati families,” Haney said.
The cast of the 25th anniversary production of “A Christmas Carol” features a mix of new and familiar actors. Bruce Cromer returns as Scrooge for the 11th time this season. Also returning are Avery Clark, Craig Wesley Divino, Annie Fitzpatrick, Ryan Wesley Gilreath, Kelly Mengelkoch, Gregory Procaccino, Douglas Rees, Nick Rose and Stephen Skiles. New to “A Christmas Carol” this season is Cincinnati native Kathleen Wise, who is making her Playhouse debut as Ghost of Christmas Past/Mrs. Peake.
Members of the Playhouse’s Bruce E. Coyle Acting Intern Company including Law Dunford, Kyle Powell, Serena Ryen, Robert Carlton Stimmel, Erin Ward, Renika Williams and Lilian Wouters will play carolers, party guests and others. Nine Tristate children also appear in A Christmas Carol this season. Returning are Nathan E. Goodlett, Livvy Stubenrauch and Ethan Verderber. New to the production this year are Ella Gallagan, Ari Elizabeth Johnson, Aidan McCracken, Ashley Taylor, Austin Vaughan and Henry Charles Weghorst.
“A Christmas Carol” is suitable for all general audiences, including children ages five and older. Tickets are $40 for adults. Tickets for children, teenagers and students range from $30-45. For more information about “A Christmas Carol” visit http://www.cincyplay. com.
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