‘A Charles Dickens Christmas’ will open at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford on Dec. 10, 2022.

Submitted

The time has come to plan your holiday family outings! Come to Playhouse on Park for “A Charles Dickens Christmas,” directed by David Addis.

This production will run Dec. 10-29, 2022, and it is a part of Playhouse on Park’s Theatre for Young Audiences series. Although it is recommended for grades 3-8, this show is truly appropriate for audiences of absolutely any age (3 through 103)!

“A Charles Dickens Christmas” is also a part of Playhouse on Park’s Literature Alive Field Trip Program, which allows schools to come to the Playhouse for daytime field trip performances. There will be a sensory friendly performance on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 10 a.m., thanks to the Miracle League of CT.

“A Charles Dickens Christmas” is a highly original and humorous take on A Christmas Carol that follows a young Charles Dickens, unable to find much joy in life, struggling to write the Christmas story that will become the most famous holiday tale of all time. With the intervention of a magical muse, the elements of his famous A Christmas Carol begin to take shape. Dickens learns the true meaning of Christmas and finds in his past the inspiration for his immortal holiday classic. “A Charles Dickens Christmas'” rich musical score is sure to put the holiday cheer into every member of the audience. Music by Douglas J. Cohen, Lyrics by Tom Toce, and Book by Robert Owens Scott. Conceived and originally directed by Bruce Colville. Run time is 60 minutes with no intermission.

David Addis (Director) has worked around the globe as an arts administrator, and across the east coast as a director and performer. His management credits include work with Norwegian Cruise Line on productions including SIX, Jersey Boys, After Midnight, Burn the Floor, and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL, and here at Playhouse on Park. He has directed over a dozen productions for organizations in the Greater Hartford area, most recently Mamma Mia! for Simsbury Summer Theatre. David holds a BA in Performing Arts Management from the Hartt School.

The cast includes Ross Coughlin (Actor 3) Rockefeller Productions: Christopher Robin DISNEY’S WINNIE THE POOH; Arizona Broadway Theatre: Patchy the Pirate THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL; Wagner College: Seymour Krelborn LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Amber Emerson (Actor 5) Fulton Theatre: U/S Maria, ensemble THE SOUND OF MUSIC; Totem Pole Playhouse: Liesl THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Servant Stage Company: Marian THE MUSIC MAN, Shannen Hofheimer (Actor 6) Chamber Theatre Productions: Actor ENCORE! (THE TELL TALE HEART, LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, ETC.); NETworks: Marta/Gretl THE SOUND OF MUSIC starring Marie Osmond. Shannen graduated from The Hartt School with a B.M. in Vocal Performance, Chris Marth (Actor 2): Alabama Shakespeare Festival: Silvius AS YOU LIKE IT, Watchman ROMEO AND JULIET, u/s Stuart Lasker INTO THE BREECHES; Weathervane Playhouse: William Barfee …SPELLING BEE, Gretna Theatre: Mr. Pinkerton PINKALICOUS, Brendan Massar (Actor 1) is a recent graduate of the Emerson College BFA Musical Theatre program. Favorite regional credits include: Jesus GODSPELL, Jay Gatsby THE GREAT GATSBY, LES MISERABLES, NEWSIES, and Daniel Pippert (Actor 4) Off-Broadway: Bradley XIMER; Regional credits: Lionel CAMELOT, Mr. Fezziwig A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Daryl BRIGHT STAR, Ensemble/D’ysquith understudy A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE…

About Playhouse on Park: Managed under the direction of Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc., Playhouse on Park is Greater Hartford’s award-winning destination for the performing arts. Playhouse on Park offers a wide range of thought-provoking, inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable professional theatre productions that leave audiences often smiling, sometimes crying, and always talking about what they have just experienced.

Regular performances will take place on the following days/times:

• Saturday, Dec. 10: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 11: 10 a.m. (sensory friendly) and 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 14: 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 16: 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 17: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 18: 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 21: 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 23: 7 p.m.
• Monday through Thursday, Dec. 26-29: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Literature Alive is an opportunity to extend the classroom by bringing students to the theater during the day for a matinee performance. School-day matinees can be scheduled Dec. 13-23, Tuesday through Friday, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (12:30 performance unavailable on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21), for $7 per student. As part of your field trip experience, we are happy to provide the following: a study guide to prepare students for the production; a professional from Playhouse on Park will travel to your school and lead a workshop for students, teaching them about elements of this production. Space is limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To book your field trip, or to learn more,

Tickets are now on sale for “A Charles Dickens Christmas” for only $25, Reserved seating. Group rates available! Student, senior, and military discounts are also available.

COVID-19 Policy: Vaccination card checks and masks are not required. However, masks are strongly recommended.

For more information or tickets, call the Box Office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park offers discounts for group sales; inquire today! Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.

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