A Christmas Carol - December 2016

produced by

Lloyd Bittinger and Russell Wyland

directed by Michael J. Baker,Jr.

script adaptation by

Michael J. Baker, Jr. and Rachael Hubbard

musical adaptation by Linda Wells

lyrics and music by book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse produced by Maria Ciarrocchi and Mary Beth Smith-Toomey directed and choreographed by Stefan Sittig music direction by Francine Krasowska

All aboard Cole Porter’s S.S.American! Winner of three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, AnythingGoes takes sail between New York and England with a colorful group of passengers aboard the well-appointed cruise liner. Wall Street broker Billy Crocker finds himself hopelessly in love-at-first-sight with socialite Hope Harcourt, who is traveling across the pond with her rather drab fiancé Lord Evelyn Oakleigh. Before Billy knows what’s happening, he is a stowaway. Luckily, the songstress Reno Sweeney and second-rate mobster Moonface Martin are there to help Billy sing and dance his way into Hope’s heart. Join LTA for an evening of hilarious disguises, memorable music, and tap-dancing sailors. AnythingGoesis a classic, and LTA audiences voted it their top musical in the “Audience Choice” survey!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

presents

Produced by Lloyd Bittinger and Russell Wyland Directed by Michael J. Baker, Jr. Written by Charles Dickens

Adapted by Michael J. Baker, Jr. and Rachael Hubbard Music Adaptation by Linda Wells

PRESIDENT Lloyd Bittinger

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

ARTISTIC SUPPORT............................................................................................................................Beverley Benda

BOX OFFICE............................................................................................................................................Rae Edmonson

BUILDING....................................................................................................................................................David B. Hale

DEVELOPMENT............................................................................................................................................Jim Howard

EDUCATION....................................................................................................................................Michael J. Baker, Jr.

FRONT OF HOUSE........................................................................................................................................Jean Coyle

MEMBERSHIP......................................................................................................................................Maria Ciarrocchi

PRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................Margaret Evans-Joyce

PUBLIC RELATIONS..............................................................................................................................Rachel Alberts

SEASONAL PLANNING..................................................................................................................Frank D. Shutts II

TECHNICAL SUPPORT............................................................................................................................Robert Kraus

Treasurer....................................................................................................................................................David B. Hale

Secretary to the Board......................................................................................................................Carolyn Winters

Executive Secretary............................................................................................................................Ashley Amidon

Archivist................................................................................................................................................Barbara Helsing

Business Manager..................................................................................................................................Virginia Lacey

Box Office Manager..................................................................................................................................Tina McCrea

Office Assistant........................................................................................................................................Cristina Wilke

Legal Counsel.................................................................................................................. Brian T. Goldstein, Esquire

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Public Performances: Wed.–Fri. at 8:00 p.m. and Sat. and Sun. at 3:00 p.m and 6:00 p.m.

COVER ILLUSTRATION: © Sam

Director’s Notes

I have had the distinct pleasure of portraying Scrooge five times under the tutelage of some wonderful directors—Roland Branford Gomez, Rachael Hubbard and Donna Ferragut. In addition, each of these productions has had the deft musical touch of Linda Wells. This pentamerous experience has given me an everted view of A Christmas Carol and the Dickensian terrain as a whole. I have endeavored to sculpt a portion of the tale from the actor’s perspective: how Scrooge perceives the world and his audience, instead of the reverse. In addition, things discussed but never seen come to life in this latest LTA rendition. The chapel, the schoolhouse, Scrooge’s bedchamber, Marley’s underworld and Scrooge’s own funeral procession are but a few of the new revelations. Each serves to enrich Scrooge’s metamorphosis and highlight the play’s overall themes of gratitude, generosity and hope. Little Theatre of Alexandria’s talented team of producers, designers, actors and volunteers has fashioned the stage in the mold of an 1843 Dickens village. All that is left is for you to take this journey with us. As you watch …

“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many— not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart. Our lives go on, but your Christmas shall be merry, and your new year a happy one!”

– Charles Dickens

Michael J. Baker, Jr.

Synopsis

LTA rings in the holiday season with a return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly Victorian humbug, travels with ghostly guides through Christmas past, present and future to find the true meaning of the holidays. Complete with special effects, Victorian carols and Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol is a must for the entire family.

Setting

A Christmas Carol is set in a poor section of London, England, during the Industrial Revolution (1800s).

Scenes

Scene 1: The Street • Scene 2: The Office • Scene 3: The Street Scene 4: Scrooge’s House • Scene 5: The School • Scene 6: Fezziwig’s Warehouse

Scene 7: The Office • Scene 8: Belle’s House • Scene 9: Scrooge’s House

Scene 10: The Church • Scene 11: Cratchit House • Scene 12: Fred’s House

Scene 13: The Street • Scene 14: The Street • Scene 15: Cratchit House

Scene 16: The Graveyard • Scene 17: Scrooge’s House • Scene 18: The Street

Scene 19: Fred’s House • Scene 20: The Office • Scene 21: The Street

A Christmas Carol is performed in one act with no intermission.

The Cast (in alphabetical order)

Mrs. Cratchit ..........................................................................................................................Hilary Adams

Ghost of Christmas Past, Spirit ........................................................................................Clare Baker

Mrs. Fezziwig, Narrator ..............................................................................................Michelle Ballard

Dick Wilkins, Poulterer ..............................................................................................................Nic Barta

Caroler, Urchin/Beggar, Belle’s Child #2 ............................................................Maeve Bradley

Gentleman #2, Haberdasher, Parishioner #1 ..................................................Joel Durgavich

Martha, Spirit ..................................................................................................................Meredith Endres

Boy Dick Wilkins, Belle’s Child #3 ................................................................................Avery Evans

Bob Cratchit ........................................................................................................................Matthew Fager

Belle’s Eldest Daughter, Maid, Spirit ............................................................Penelope Gallagher

Belle ....................................................................................................................................................Eva Gary

Scrooge........................................................................................................................................Tony Gilbert

Tiny Tim ....................................................................................................................................Josh Gordon

Narrator, Spirit ................................................................................................................Kathryne Gould

Marley, Fezziwig ....................................................................................................Lawrence O. Grey, Jr.

Lillian ................................................................................................................................Daria Hoobchaak

Belle’s Child #1, Want ..............................................................................................................Eva Jaber

Ghost of Christmas Future, Narrator ................................................................................Pat Jannell

Boy #1, Turkey Boy, Ignorance, Chimney Sweep ....................................................Morgan Jay

Boy Scrooge ........................................................................................................................James Kennedy

Fred’s Wife .Ashley King

Belinda ..........................................................................................................................................Emma Lacy

Narrator........................................................................................................................................Sherry Lord

Girl Cratchit ................................................................................................................................Calla McGill

Ghost of Christmas Present, Mrs. Dilber ..............................................................Janette Moman

Peter, Chimney Sweep ......................................................................................Benjamin Napolitano

Gentleman #1, Old Joe, Headmaster, Baker ......................................................James Pearson

Young Scrooge, Topper ....................................................................................................Ryan Phillips

Fred ........................................................................................................................................Brendan Quinn

Parishioner #2, Narrator ................................................................................................Tameka Taylor

Boy #2, Boy Cratchit ....................................................................................................Lucas Trueblood

Fan ..............................................................................................................................................Viktoria Truitt

The Crew

Producers ............................................................................................Lloyd Bittinger, Russell Wyland

Director ..........................................................................................................................Michael J. Baker, Jr.

Music Director ..........................................................................................................................Linda Wells

Choreographer ................................................................................................Grace Manley Machanic

Assistant Producers ........................................................................Rachel Alberts, Bobbie Herbst

Dance Captain ..........................................................................................................................Clare Baker

Stage Managers ..................................................................................Rob Cork, Micheal J. O’Connor

Assistant Stage Manager ........................................................................................Rebecca Balough

Set Design .Mary Hutzler

Assisted by:Jim Hutzler

Master Carpenters ....................................................................................Jim Hutzler, Jeff Nesmeyer

Assisted by: Ken Brown, Susan Burkhead. Kimberly Crago, Eileen Doherty, John Downing, Julie Fischer, Ira Forstater, Jeff Gathers, Jimmy Hotsko, Phyllis Johnson, Pam Leonowich, J.T. Tucker

Set Painting ..........................................................................................................................Kathy Murphy

Assisted by: Stacey Becker, Susan Burkhead, Ella Burkhead, Gillian Chen, Catherine Hess, Mary Hutzler, Denise Landers, Patty Lord, Martha Raymond, Leslie Reed

Set Decoration ..........................................................................................................Charles Dragonette

Assisted by: Alan Wray

Lighting Design ................................................................Jeffrey Scott Auerbach, Kimberly Crago

Master Electrician ..........................................................................................................Kimberly Crago

Assisted by: Jay Bartol, Marzanne Claiborne, David Clement, Dylan Clement, Katie Clement, Charlies Dragonette, Iris Ellis, Pam Leonowich, Sherry Singer, Marg Soroos, Alan Wray

Sound Design ............................................................................................................................Lynn Lacey

Assisted by: Keith Bell, Sean Doyle, Margaret Evans-Joyce, David Rampy, John Remmers, Marg Soroos, Gene Warner

Costume Design ..................................................................Juliana Confrancesco, Megan Murphy

Assisted by: Claudia Atherton, Rosemary Grefe

Wardrobe ................................................................................................................................Brooke Angel

Assisted by: Leah Hays, Olivia Hays, Jean Schlichting, Kit Sibley

Hair/Wig Design ........................................................................................Kadira Coley, Paul Morton

Makeup Design ....................................................................................................................Lori Bonnette

Property Design ................................................................................................................Eileen Doherty

Assisted by: Michelle Hall, Janet Kennelly, Pam Leonowich, Charles Palmer, Margaret Snow, Carol Starke

Special Effects ..............................................................................................................................Art Snow

Young Actor Coordinators ............................................................................Leah Hays, Olivia Hays

Rigging ......................................................................................................................................Austin Fodrie

Photographer ......................................................................................................................Doug Olmsted

Double-Tech Dinner ..........................................................................................................Becky Patton

Assisted by: Jamie Blake

Opening Night Party ......................................................................Rosey Parker, Margie Remmers

Assisted by: Amber Finnegan, Dan Remmers, John Remmers, Lyn Remmers

Auditions ................................................................................................................................Sherry Clarke

Assisted by: Angela Cannon, Eileen Doherty, Joel Durgavich, Robert Ford, Phyliss Gruber, Barbara Helsing, Paul Morton, Frank Reilly, Margo Schiffert

Special thanks to those people whose names were not available when this program went to press.

Come Play With Us!

There are many ways to be involved with The Little Theatre of Alexandria!

Volunteers are an important aspect of LTA. There are many opportunities to be a part of LTA with a variety of events and times! All are welcome to participate regardless of experience.

LTA is one of the oldest community theatres in the Washington D.C. area thanks to the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. A successful stage production requires many volunteers working behind the scenes before and during the run of the show. Everyone performing in and nearly everyone you see working on an LTA show is a volunteer.

As a volunteer community theatre group, LTA welcomes anyone interested in becoming involved. There are lots of opportunities at LTA, for all experience levels! So, come play with us. For more information visit our website www.thelitletheatre.com and click on “Volunteer”, or call the business office at 703-683-5778.

Drama, Music, & ImprovClasses

During the rehearsal period of A Christmas Carol one of our cast members, Penny Gallagher, suffered the loss of her father. The cast and crew made a sizable donation to the Little Theatre of Alexandria in memory of Steve Gallagher.