A XMAS CAROL

THE ALLEY THEATRE
www.alleytheatre.org
Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director..........Dean R. Gladden, Managing Director

PRESENTS

Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

November 21 through December 28, 2008
Hubbard Stage

Jeffrey Bean as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by Jann Whaley.

Houston's Family Favorite, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas Lights Up the Holiday Season
-A Christmas Carol runs November 21 through December 28 on the Hubbard Stage

HOUSTON, TX- Houston's seasonal favorite that the Houston Press said, ".....has spectacular London sets ... the inimitable Dickens tale -- spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past present and future." A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens' classic story that follows Ebenezer Scrooge's journey with the three ghosts that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season. The dazzling production is created by Tony Award winning scenic designer Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, The Scene, Tryst, Orson's Shadow), lighting by Rui Rita (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird, Bad Dates), and original music by John Gromada (Alley's Subject to Fits, The Pillowman).

This season, the Alley Theatre presents its dazzling version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas, adapted and originally by Michael Wilson, former Alley Theatre Associate Director and Artistic Director of Hartford Stage Company. Directed by Alley Associate Director James Black, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas begins previews Friday, November 21, opens Saturday, November 22 and runs through Sunday, December 28.

James Black as Mrs. Dilber in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by Jann Whaley.

This year, Alley Associate Director James Black directs this production and appears as Jacob Marley in this colorful, comical, and music-filled telling of Charles Dickens' "ghostly little book." Alley Theatre Company Actor Jeffrey Bean plays Ebenezer Scrooge after appearing in the title role of Alley Theatre's production of Cyrano de Bergerac.

The Alley Theatre began producing an annual production of A Christmas Carol in 1988. Michael Wilson's adaptation is an imaginative re-telling of the classic story. In 1990, Wilson - in his first directing project for the Alley - adapted and directed a version of the story that became a national standout for its dancing apparitions and Wizard of Oz like storyline.

Chris Hutchison as Bob Cratchit in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Since its inception, the production has developed into a crowd-pleasing holiday favorite, delighting more than 37,000 individuals last holiday season. Dickens' classic tale is a heart-warming and bone-chilling story for audiences of all ages. Through encounters with ghosts - including his late business partner Jacob Marley - Scrooge learns what ill fate lies in store for him if he continues on his greedy and heartless course. An amazing story and an unforgettable theatrical experience, A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas fills audiences with warm sentiments of the holiday season.

The 2008 production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas is presented by Lead Sponsors ConocoPhillips, Entergy Solutions District Cooling and LyondellBasell as well as Supporting Sponsor Apache Corporation. Alley Theatre is supported by the 2008-2009 season sponsor Continental Airlines, the official airline of the Alley Theatre.

Charles Dickens' novella, whose full title is A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost Story of Christmas was published in 1843 to instant success, selling six thousand copies within its first week. Originally written as a quick money maker to enable Dickens to get out of debt, the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve has become one of the most popular and enduring Christmas stories of all time. The first stage adaptation of A Christmas Carol dates back to January of 1844 in London and movie adaptations of this story were filmed as early as 1910.

A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas will feature scenic design by Tony Straiges (Alley's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) costumes by Alejo Vietti (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, The Scene, Tryst, Orson's Shadow), lighting by Rui Rita (Alley's Cyrano de Bergerac, To Kill a Mockingbird, Bad Dates) and original music by John Gromada (Alley's Subject to Fits, The Pillowman).

The cast of more than 30 characters features Alley Theatre Company Actors James Black as Mrs. Dilber and Jacob Marley; Jeffrey Bean as Ebenezer Scrooge; Justin Doran as Mr. Marvel; Bettye Fitzpatrick as Mary Pidgeon and Spirit of Christmas Past; Paul Hope as Second Solicitor and Mr. Fezziwig; Chris Hutchison as Bob Cratchit; Charles Krohn as Undertaker and Old Joe; Philip Lehl as First Solicitor and Fiddler; Emily Neves as Belle and Fred's Wife; Melissa Pritchett as Rich Lady, Patricia and Ghostly Apparition; David Rainey as Bert and Spirit of Christmas Present; among others.

James Black as Jacob Marley in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

RED RIBBON TOY DRIVE
Saturday, November 29, 2:30 PM
The Alley Theatre has partnered with AIDS Foundation Houston (AFH), a non-profit direct-provider of HIV/AIDS services, information and programs to offer a special discount for A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas. On Saturday, November 29, bring a new, unwrapped children's toy for donation to the AIDS Foundation Houston Red Ribbon Toy Drive and get a ticket to Alley Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol for $25. Good for the 2:30 performance on 11/29 only, in-person and day-of purchases only. Section B seats, limited number available. Limit eight tickets per person. Groups of ten or more call 713.315.3346.

DECK THE TREES
Saturday, November 22, 7:00 PM
See the Alley's lobby transformed into a magical winter wonderland through December 28. Alley Theatre's Deck the Trees Celebration transforms the Alley's lobby into a magical winter wonderland of trees decorated by Houston's top designers and non-profit organizations. Festivities kick-off on with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 22. Trees will be on display until December 28, 2008.

Bettye Fitzpatrick as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

CAPTIONED AND AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE
Sunday, November 23, 7:30 PM
The Alley Theatre is pleased to offer open captioning and audio description for many of our productions throughout the season. To ensure that your seats will accommodate your needs, please call the box office 713.220.5700 when ordering tickets to this performance. Discounted tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Call 713.315.3346 for more information.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas start at $38. All tickets to A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org, at the Alley Theatre Box Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713.220.5700. Groups of 10 or more can receive special concierge services by calling 713.315.3346. The added convenience of reservations by phone or Internet is available for a nominal fee.

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Charles Dickens'

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson
Directed by James Black

SCENIC DESIGN…………………….TONY STRAIGES
COSTUME DESIGN……..................…….ALEJO VIETTI

LIGHTING DESIGN……................................………..RUI RITA

ORIGINAL MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN.........………….JOHN GROMADA
CHOREOGRAPHY……................................………..HOPE CLARKE

MUSIC DIRECTOR……................................………..DEBORAH LEWIS

DANCE CAPTAIN……................................………..MELISSA PRITCHETT

STAGE MANAGER……................................………..TERRY CRANSHAW

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER……................................REBECCA R.D. HAMLIN

SETTING

London, 19th Century

ACT I: Christmas Eve

ACT II: Christmas Morning

There will be one fifteen minute intermission between acts.

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Bettye Fitzpatrick as Mary Pidgeon in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

The Company in the Alley’s A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas. A Christmas Carol runs on the Alley’s Hubbard Stage November 21 – December 28, 2008. For more information visit www.alleytheatre.org. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.