“A Christmas Carol – A New Musical,” a musical version of the classic tale of curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge and the story of Christmas redemption will begin a four-weekend run on the Playhouse Merced mainstage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22.
“A Christmas Carol” is taken from the classic 1843 novel by Charles Dickens, which tells the story of the miserly and bitter Ebenezer Scrooge who is visited by three ghostly spirits on Christmas Eve and vows to change the direction of his life. The novel has been a popular holiday tradition since it was first published and has been adapted into musicals, plays, television shows and movies over the past 170 years.
Written in 2007, “A Christmas Carol – A New Musical” has book and lyrics by Keith Ferguson, music by Bruce Greer and features tunes like “Sing a Christmas Carol,” “Christmas Eve at Fezziwig’s,” “As We Remember” and “God Bless Us, Everyone.”
Playhouse Merced’s production is directed by Sandra Dinse, musically directed by Joel Scott Shade with set design by Corey Strauss and costume design by Cindy Strauss.
The show features a Central Valley cast that includes Scott Guthier as Ebenezer Scrooge, Renney Doser as Jacob Marley, Jesse Stofle as Ghost of Christmas Present, Mikee-D Love Asenjo as the Charwoman, plus, Bethany Blondin, Trevor Blondin, Claudia Boehm, Joseph Brown, Spencer Brown, Marlo Carpenter, Matt Cone, CJ Dion, Chelsea King, Bethany Lawrence,Teri Mason, Lauren Miller, Madison Mitchell, Jake Nelson, Saralee Oliver, Haley Paulissian, Keegan Rieg, Jade Seymour, Jessica Spencer,Page Stayer, Sasha Tilakamonkul, Tassha Tilakamonkul, Maggie Trieweiler, Patrick Walker and Megan Ward Kocher.
The show is rated A and is suitable for all ages with a few spooky, ghostly scenes.
“A Christmas Carol – A New Musical” opens Nov. 22 and plays four weekends through Dec. 15. Tickets are on sale now for Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets prices are: $22 for adults; $20 for seniors; $12 for students; and $10 for children. Purchase tickets by calling 725-8587, or visiting the box office at 452 West Main in downtown Merced, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
