Actors Theatre's A Christmas Carol Ends 18-Year, 392-Performance Run In December

After 18 years, Actors Theatre will tell Charles Dickens' classic story of hope and redemption, A Christmas Carol, for the final time this season at the Herberger Theater Center, 222 E. Monroe, from Dec. 4-24. When the curtain comes down on the last of this year's 15 performances, the show will have been staged 392 times.

Actors Theatre's presentation of A Christmas Carol was adapted by Producing Artistic Director Matthew Wiener and Michael Grady with original music and lyrics by Alan Ruch.

"It's time to move on," Wiener said. "We've had an incredible run over the past 18 years and have not only seen some of our cast members grow up on stage with us, but seen families in our audience grow and change as well. We have - and hope they do as well - wonderful, warm memories of our experiences with A Christmas Carol."
Kim Bennett returns for his 11th season as Scrooge along with actors from across the Valley including Gene Ganssle (Tempe) as the jovial nephew Fred, Sally Jo Bannow (Phoenix) as the Ghost of Christmas Past, David Barker (Tempe) as the Ghost of Christmas Present, and mother and son, Stephanie Likes and Casey Likes (both from Chandler), return as Mrs. Cratchit and Tiny Tim.

Other cast members include: Keilani Akagi (Chandler) (Belinda Cratchit), Abby Belliston (Glendale) (Mrs. Fezziwig), Natalie Ellis (Scottsdale) (Nurse), Robert Kolby Harper (Phoenix) (Bob Cratchit), Beau Heckman (Scottsdale) (Sailor), Mike Lawler (Phoenix) (Jacob Marley), Lillie Richardson (Tempe) (Mrs. Fred) and Ben Tyler (Tempe) (Mr. Fezziwig). Also in the cast this year are David Rodgers (Gilbert) (Miner), Maxx Calile-King (Phoenix) (Young Scrooge) and Alison Malony (Apache Junction) (Martha).

Matthew Wiener will direct the play for the finale run and Ruch will be the musical director. In addition, the crew also includes Paul Black (Lighting Design), David Temby (Sound Design), Jeff Thompson (Scenic Design), Manuella Needhammer (Hair and Make-Up Design) and April S. Smith (Stage Manager).

Single tickets are $15 to $67 and can be purchased online at www.actorstheatrephx.org or at the Herberger Theater Box Office.

Actors Theatre's 25th anniversary season continues Jan. 21-Feb. 6 when Ron May will direct This, Melissa James Gibson's bright, witty and unromantic comedy about a circle of friends backing their way into middle age.

Playwright and comic Josh Kornbluth will perform his show Andy Warhol: Good for the Jews? from March 4-20. The play focuses on Warhol's exhibit featuring silk-screen portraits of ten famous Jewish leaders of the 20th century that became the target of scorn by many art critics and praise by the public. Thirty-one years later, Kornbluth examines what the controversial exhibit means to him, a community of art lovers and you.

Annie Baker's 2010 OBIE-Award winner for Best New American Play, Circle Mirror Transformation, will close out the season from April 22 through May 8. Called "absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny" by the New York Times, the Arizona Premiere of one of this season's most-talked about new off-Broadway plays offers a potent reminder of the impact we have on each other's lives.

For more information, call (602) 253-6701, Ext. 108 or visit www.actorstheatrephx.org for more information.