Knoxville, TN - Ebeneezer Scrooge and the memorable ghosts return in the Clarence Brown Theatre’s long-running and most popular production. A magical tradition for the whole family and a great way to celebrate the season, “A Christmas Carol,” Dickens’ timeless classic, runs November 26 through December 21 on the mainstage with 7:30 pm and 2:00 pm performances. An Open Captioned performance will take place on Sunday, November 30 at 2:00 pm. A special “Deaf Night at the Theatre” production will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:30 pm. And, a talkback with the director and actors will take place following the December 2 matinee. The production is sponsored by Schaad Companies, Pilot Travel Centers, UT Medical Center, the Arts & Culture Alliance, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Media sponsors are WBIR, Comcast, WUOT, WUTK, B97.5 and the Knoxville News Sentinel. Free and convenient parking is available in the McClung Tower Garage on Volunteer Boulevard.
At each performance, patrons can enhance their experience with by enjoying the special holiday treats at the concession stand and taking pictures with the “Ghosts” in a specially designed cutout which will be stationed in the main lobby.
“A Christmas Carol” is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose ghostly journey and transformation through Christmas past, present and future is among the most beloved stories in western literature.
Described by Dickens as his “little Christmas Book,” “A Christmas Carol” was first published in December 1843. The story was instantly successful, selling over 6,000 copies in one week. It has since been republished countless times and adapted for stage and screen. It remains one of literatures’ most enduring and often-quoted stories of hope, triumph, and communal spirit.
Director Micah-Shane Brewer is a recent graduate of the UT MFA Acting program. Some of his CBT stage credits include: “Monty Python's Spamalot,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Our Country’s Good,” “On The Razzle,” and “Kiss Me, Kate.” Since moving to New York in May, has performed with the Transport Group and for an event honoring Jerry Mitchell. Prior to graduate school, he worked as the founding Artistic Director of Encore Theatrical Company in Morristown where he directed several productions. He also has produced concerts with artists like Sutton Foster, Donna McKechnie, Stephanie J. Block, Liz Callaway, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley and has written for “The Sondheim Review.”
Rachel Schlafer-Parton (Musical Director) from Luttrell, TN is best known for her performance on the syringe on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion.” She also performed at the National Gallery of Art, Strathmore Music Center, Bonnaroo, and the Bluebird Café. Locally she has performed with Farr Horizons, Knoxville Early Music Project, InterAct Children’s Theatre for the Deaf, Hudson K, and The Band of Humans. Her CBT credits include: “A Christmas Carol” and “The Story of Opal.”
The production features UT Theatre faculty, professional actors and resident artists, UT graduate and undergraduate student actors, and actors from the community.
Performing the role of Scrooge is visiting guest actor David Kortemeier. Some CBT credits include: “Sweeney Todd,” “Moonlight & Magnolias,” “The Music Man,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Amadeus,” “Oedipus the King,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” His work also has been seen at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, the Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Cleveland, Drury Lane Theatre and Noble Fool Theatricals in Chicago and 13 seasons with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington. He holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Louisville.
UT Theatre resident artists and faculty include David Brian Alley (Bob Cratchit/Ensemble), Neil Friedman (Fezziwig/Ol’ Joe/Musician/Ensemble) and Katy Wolfe Zahn (Elizabeth Cratchit/Ensemble).
UT Theater graduate actors include: Melissa David (Alice, Fred’s Wife/Ensemble); Andrew Drake (Hobbs the Merchant/Ensemble); Brian Gligor (Nephew Fred/Ensemble); Kyle Maxwell (Christmas Present/Ensemble); Lindsay Nance (Belle/Ensemble); and Cynthia Anne Roser (Christmas Past/Ensemble).
Community and visiting actors include: Devin Alley (Tiny Tim/Ensemble); Gracie Belt (Belinda Cratchit/Musician/Ensemble); Jaden Lily Branson (Young Fan/Ensemble); Isabella Coyne (Polly Cratchit/Want/Ensemble); Ryan Cross (Boy Ebenezer/Turkey Boy/Ensemble); Nichol Friedman (Charlie/Beggar Boy/Ignorance/Ensemble); Brooklyn Halter (Tiny Tim/Ensemble); Ted Kitterman (Musician/Ensemble); Erin O'Leary (Mrs Fezziwig/Mrs Kendal/Ensemble); Joshua Peterson (Carlisle the Merchant/Musician/Ensemble); Benjamin Pratt (Dick Wilkins/Ensemble); and, Donald Thorne (Jacob Marley/Ensemble).
Undergraduate students include: Connor Hess (Peter Cratchit/Ensemble); Hannah Jones (Jenny/Ensemble); Ellen Nikbakht (Martha Cratchit/Ensemble); and Preston Alexander Raymer (Young Ebenezer/Ensemble).
The creative team for this production includes: Bill Black (Costume Designer); John Horner (Lighting Designer); Joe Payne (Sound and Projection/Media Designer); and Christopher Pickart (Scenic Designer). Also contributing to the production are Casey Sams (Choreographer), Abigail Langham (Voice Coach), and Deya Friedman (Stage Manager).
Preview for “A Christmas Carol” is Wednesday, November 26 followed by Opening Night Friday, November 28. The show runs through December 21. UT faculty/staff, senior citizens, children and students receive discounts. For tickets, call the Clarence Brown Theatre box office at 865-974-5161, Tickets Unlimited at 865-656-4444 or order online 24/7 at www.clarencebrowntheatre.com
With a dual mission to train the next generation of theatre artists and to provide top quality professional theatre, like that of a teaching hospital, the Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee Knoxville is one of only 12 academic LORT (League of Resident Theatre) institutions in the nation. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Calvin MacLean and Managing Director David B. Byrd, the CBT season runs from August through May and features eight productions ranging from musicals to drama.
Productions remaining in the 2014-2015 Season include: “A Christmas Carol,” “’Master Harold’…and the boys,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “A Shayna Maidel,” and “The Threepenny Opera.”
For more information, tickets or accessibility accommodation requests including Open Captioning, ASL, and assistive technologies, please call the CBT Box Office at 865-974-5161 or visit us online at clarencebrowntheatre.com/access. Stay Connected to the Clarence Brown Theatre on Facebook (Clarence Brown Theatre), follow us on Twitter (@ClarenceBrown) and view Clarence Brown videos on YouTube (Clarence Bro).
