PR 2006 Dec U1
World Premiere Musical Comes to Theatre Tuscaloosa for the Holidays
Tuscaloosa – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present the world premiere of A DICKENS OF A CAROL at the Bean-Brown Theatre on the campus of Shelton State Community College, 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa, December 8 through 17, 2006.
Written by long-time Theatre Tuscaloosa guest choreographer Stephan de Ghelder and Alabama native Brad Simmons, A DICKENS OF A CAROL is a fully-realized book musical. The story revolves around a small town dinner theatre organization's effort to produce a highly original and zany rendition of “A Christmas Carol” without rehearsal. Faced with the prospect of failing to present its traditional Christmas offering, the community, in the spirit of "the show must go on," pulls together and works to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The results are a laugh riot as complication builds on complication.
Director Paul Looney said, “This show promises to give everyone a new, fresh look at our holiday rituals that we often take for granted. I think the show celebrates the meaning of a real Christmas spirit and debunks the cynicism we all encounter in our daily lives.”
Stephan de Ghelder’s (book and lyrics) career in show business has included professional work as an actor/singer/dancer/director/choreographer and writer. In these capacities, he has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, summer stock, in regional theatres around the country, on stage, in TV, commercials and film here at home and in Portugal, Holland, Australia, Greece, Spain, Mexico and Egypt. Theatrically, he has written the musical TROUBADOR, MEN ABOUT TOWN which was produced by the Asolo, the State theatre of Florida; and the long running, award winning satirical musical cabaret, LICENSE TO BASH. With Brad Simmons, he wrote an original musical fantasy, A KISS FROM ALEXANDER which premiered last year at the Bailiwick Theatre in Chicago and was nominated this year for four “Joe Jefferson Awards” including “Best New Musical of the Season.”
Brad Simmons, composer, is a 1997 graduate of the University of Montevallo. His compositional credits include the Homecoming College Night shows REEL TO REEL, SUMMER WIND, BACK AT HOME, and ALL FOR YOU. His musical direction credits include the recent Off-Broadway show THE TICKET and over 30 other regional shows. His acting resume includes the national tour of KISS ME KATE, THE LOST COLONY with Tony Award winning costumer William Ivey Long, six months of murder mystery weekends and countless leading characters in shows at Birmingham Summerfest, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Terrific New Theatre and Birmingham Festival Theatre. He has performed with the Alabama Symphony and with the Indianapolis Symphony featuring Grammy Award-winning singer Sandi Patty.
“I am delighted to be joining Theatre Tuscaloosa just as it presents its first ‘world premiere,’” said Tina Fitch, the organization’s new executive producer. “I know that Tuscaloosa audiences of all ages are going to love this wacky, mixed-up version of the holiday classic.”
The cast for the production includes Benjamin Middaugh, Michelle Bunch, Courtney Allsbrook, Noah Schaztline, Kelley Brown, Jake Boyd, Hillary Burke, Henri Cheramie, Matthew Cornelson, Sara Cunningham, Eryn Davis, Chris Ingram, Joey Lay, Kailie Melchior, Charles Prosser, Kathryn Williams, Willie Williams and Wescott Youngson.
In addition to Paul Looney as director and scenic designer, the production staff for the show includes: Susan Looney, Choreographer; Erin Hisey, Lighting Designer; Leslie Newberry, Props Designer; Chase Delbridge; Sound Designer; Jonathan Cobb, Stage Manager; and Russell Frost, Technical Director.
Tickets for A DICKENS OF A CAROL are $22 for adults, $17 for senior citizens and $10 for students and children. Shelton State student tickets are $6 with a valid student identification card. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Bean-Brown Theatre box office or by phone by calling 205-391-2277.
Performances are scheduled for December 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. are scheduled for December 10, 13 and 17. A special “Pay What You Can” Final Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for December 7 at 7:30 p.m. This season, Theatre Tuscaloosa will be contributing the income from these performances to the “Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund” established through the Shelton State Foundation.
Theatre Tuscaloosa, one of the largest community theatres in the state, works in partnership with Shelton State Community College to provide quality theatrical experiences to the citizens of West Alabama through performances, workshops and classroom instruction. By combining the talent and resources of the non-profit theatre company with the facilities and administrative support of “Alabama’s Community College of the Fine Arts,” Theatre Tuscaloosa and Shelton State Community College have created a partnership model that has enriched the lives of countless Alabamians.