Media Contacts:
Jennifer Rice
Rice Public Relations LLC
(206) 285-5175
[email protected]
Jacquelyn S. Rardin
ACT – A Contemporary Theatre
(206) 292-7660 x1327
[email protected]
(please do not publish this number)
Kurt Beattie Returns as ‘Scrooge’ in ACT’s
34th Annual Production of A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens, adapted by Gregory A. Falls
Directed by Kurt Beattie and R. Hamilton Wright
Previews: November 27- 28, 2009
Opens: November 29, 2009
Closes: December 27, 2009
Tickets
$22 to $47 (discounts available for children age 4 – 12 and seniors 65 and over)
*prices vary depending on Peak and Non-Peak performances.
Discounts for groups of 20 or more are available by calling (253) 839-4204.
ACT Theatre
Ticket Office: (206) 292-7676
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 12 noon - 7 p.m.
700 Union Street, Seattle WA 98101
www.acttheatre.org
Seattle, WA – November 4, 2009 – ACT- A Contemporary Theatre presents its 34rd annual production of
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. This year, A Christmas Carol is
directed by Kurt Beattie and R. Hamilton Wright and also features both alternating in the role of Scrooge,
with Beattie returning to the role for the first time in more than a decade.
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Page Two… Kurt Beattie Returns as ‘Scrooge’ in ACT’s 34th Annual Production of A Christmas
Carol
A Christmas Carol has been a Seattle holiday tradition since 1976. ACT’s highly-acclaimed
adaptation follows the original Dickens tale and takes audiences along on Ebenezer Scrooge’s
transformational journey.
“A Christmas Carol is profoundly theatrical. It doesn’t rely on massive pieces of scenery to create
its magic. It’s pure storytelling. And it doesn’t try to amplify or write more for Charles Dickens– nearly
everything that’s in the script is out of the novella,” said ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie. “Our
adaptation, with great economy, gets the most salient points of the story, and in an unsentimental way. It
puts the power of the storytelling in the hands of the actors which allows the play to move very quickly,
and fluidly, just as Dickens’ story does – he wanted to evoke a whole society and a whole life’s journey at
the same time, and I think ACT’s production achieves that as well.”
A Christmas Carol runs November 27 through December 27, 2009. An audio described
performance for the blind and visually challenged community is on December 19 at 2:00 p.m. An ASL
performance is on December 11 at 8:30 p.m. A Christmas Carol is recommended for ages five and up.
The A Christmas Carol creative team and cast members are available for interviews. For more
information or to arrange interviews, please contact Jennifer Rice at (206) 285-5175 or
[email protected], or Jacquelyn Rardin at (206) 292-7660 ext. 1327 or
[email protected].
Cast (in alphabetical order)
Kurt Beattie *
Ian Bell*
Mark Chamberlin*
Brandon Engman
Emily Fairbrook
Chloë Forsyth
Benjamin Harris*
Shereen Khatibloo
David Anthony Lewis *
Jessica Martin*
Jenna Oratz
Elijah Ostrow
Marianne Owen *
Morgan Rowe*
Roy Stanton
Jennifer Lee Taylor*
Ebenezer Scrooge
Fred, Bread Lady, Robin Crusoe, Old Joe
Bob Cratchit, Jonathan
Charles Cratchit, Master Fezziwig
Martha Cratchit, Miss Fezziwig
Tiny Tim, Ignorance
Middle Scrooge, Beggar, Guest, Ali Baba, Businessman #2
Belinda Cratchit, Fan
Spirit #2, Gent #2, Ragpicker
Spirit #1, Party Guest, Charwoman
Elizabeth Cratchit, Lil Fezziwig, Want
Turkey Boy, Singing Thief, Undertaker’s Assist.
Mrs. Cratchit, Elizabeth
Mrs. Dilber, Mrs. Fezziwig, Sugar Plum seller, Sister
Marley, Poor Man, Dick Wilkins, Spirit #3
Belle, Niece
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Page Three… Kurt Beattie Returns as ‘Scrooge’ in ACT’s 34th Annual Production of A Christmas
Carol
Cast (continued)
Brandon Whitehead*
R. Hamilton Wright*
Nathaniel Zang
Montana von Fliss
John Ulman
Mr. Fezziwig, Topper, Gentleman #1, Businessman #1, Grocer
Ebenezer Scrooge
Peter Cratchit, Young Scrooge
Female Understudy
Male Understudy
*Members of Actors Equity Association
Production Team
Kurt Beattie*
R. Hamilton Wright*
Adam Stern
Shelley Henze Schermer
Deb Trout
Michael Wellborn
Brendan Patrick Hogan
Steven M. Klein
Wade Madsen
Alyssa Keene
JR Welden*
Erin B. Zatloka*
Verhanika Wood
Ann Ciecko
Director
Director
Composer
Scenic Designer
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer and Music Director
Original Sound Design
Choreographer
Dialect Coach
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Production Assistant
Assistant Lighting Designer
Performance Schedule:
Kurt Beattie performances
Fri., Nov. 27, 7:00 p.m. - Non-Peak (Preview)
Sat., Nov. 28, 7:00 p.m. - Non Peak (Preview)
Sun., Nov. 29, 1:00 p.m. - Non-Peak (Opening)
Tue., Dec. 1, 8:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Thu., Dec. 3, 10:00 a.m. - Student Matinee
Thu., Dec. 3, 12:30 p.m. - Student Matinees
Sat., Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m. - Peak
Sat., Dec. 5, 7:00 p.m. - Peak
Wed., Dec. 9, 7:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Fri., Dec. 11, 6:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Fri., Dec. 11, 8:30 p.m. - Non-Peak
Sun., Dec. 13, 1:00 p.m. - Peak
Sun., Dec. 13, 4:00 p.m. - Peak
Wed., Dec. 16, 6:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Wed., Dec. 16, 8:30 p.m. - Non-Peak
Fri., Dec. 18, 6:00 p.m. - Peak
Fri., Dec. 18, 8:30 p.m. - Peak
Sun., Dec. 20, 1:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Sun., Dec. 20, 4:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Wed., Dec. 23, 6:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Wed., Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m. - Super-Peak
Christmas - No Show
Sat., Dec. 26, 2:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Sat., Dec. 26, 7:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
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Page Four… Kurt Beattie Returns as ‘Scrooge’ in ACT’s 34th Annual Production of A Christmas
Carol
R. Hamilton Wright performances
Tue., Dec. 15, 8:30 p.m. - Non-Peak
Thu., Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m. - Peak
Thu., Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m. - Peak
Sat., Dec. 19, 2:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Sat., Dec. 19, 7:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Tue., Dec. 22, 6:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Tue., Dec. 22, 8:30 p.m. - Super-Peak
Thu., Dec. 24, 1:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Thu., Dec. 24, 4:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Christmas - No Show
Sun., Dec. 27, 1:00 p.m. - Super-Peak
Sun., Dec. 27, 4:00 p.m. - Super-Peak - Show
Closes
Sat., Nov. 28, 3:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Sun., Nov. 29, 4:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Wed., Dec. 2, 10:00 a.m. - Student Matinee
Wed., Dec. 2, 12:30 p.m. - Student Matinee
Fri., Dec. 4, 11:00 a.m. - Student Matinee
Fri., Dec. 4, 8:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Sun., Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m. - Peak
Sun., Dec. 6, 4:00 p.m. - Peak
Tue., Dec. 8, 7:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Thu., Dec. 10, 6:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
Thu., Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m. - Non-Peak
Sat., Dec. 12, 2:00 p.m. - Peak
Sat., Dec. 12, 7:00 p.m. - Peak
Tue., Dec. 15, 6:00 p.m. - Non-Peak
About ACT – A Contemporary Theatre
For the past 44 seasons, ACT’s mission has been to inspire our diverse community through theatre that
advances our understanding of human life. To dare, excite, and enrich artists and audiences, and steward
our many resources. Through The Central Heating Lab, ACT seeks to heat things up and create a
conversation with its season that reaches for an even deeper impact.
ACT gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Season Sponsors ArtsFund, ACT Foundation, The Paul G. Allen Family
Foundation, The Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, City of Seattle, and The Shubert Foundation, along with Producing Partners
4Culture, The Boeing Company, Getty Images, Microsoft Corporation, Nesholm Family Foundation, PONCHO, and The Seattle
Foundation.
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