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PEEK BEHIND THE SCENES OF A HOLIDAY TRADITION AT PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE ON DECEMBER 3 (CINCINNATI) – On Saturday, December 3 the public is invited to go behind the scenes and learn the secrets of one of the Tristate’s favorite holiday traditions when the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park presents a special A Christmas Carol Holiday Open House. Audience members who always have wondered how the ghosts mysteriously appear from beneath the stage or how the enormous set towers seem to move by themselves won’t want to miss this free special event, planned from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Playhouse. Presented by The Stona Fitch Family and KeyBank, A Christmas Carol is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Based on the treasured book by Charles Dickens and adapted by Howard Dallin, the Playhouse’s version of A Christmas Carol combines faithful storytelling with spellbinding special effects to bring to life its familiar story of a sinner given one last chance at redemption by four persuasive ghosts. The Holiday Open House will include a special behind-the-scenes demonstration in which participants will view the show’s stage manager and crew prepare for the day’s performances, by testing the trap doors and elevators, light and sound cues and scenery pieces. Playhouse staff also will explain how all of these elements combine to create the finished show, which is always one of the most technically complex produced at the Playhouse each season. Other activities will include costumes, props and photo displays; free refreshments; and live caroling by students from local schools. Participants also may choose to purchase tickets to stay for the 2:00 p.m. performance of the show. All those who bring canned goods to the Holiday Open House to contribute to the Playhouse’s Cratchit Family Food Drive, a partnership with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, additionally will be entered in a raffle for the chance to win special Playhouse prizes. No reservations are required for the Holiday Open House. Guests need not have a ticket to the production to attend. The event is part of this year’s Holidays in Eden Park, a two-day celebration that also features free toymaking and scavenger hunts for all ages as part of the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Holiday Xtravaganza and a beautiful floral and holiday trimming display at Krohn Conservatory. Performances of A Christmas Carol are scheduled December 1 through December 30. Tickets for the show are on sale now. Prices range from $35-$51, depending on day and seat location. All tickets range from $15 to $20 for children ages five to 12. Due to the full-length nature of the show, children under the age of five will not be admitted. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The children's ticket price already is discounted and, therefore, is not eligible for the half-price offer. The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available. For more information about the Holiday Open House or to purchase tickets to A Christmas Carol, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $3 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com. Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection Comair , the Playhouse’s official airline. The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati. The Stona Fitch Family is pleased to support this production of A Christmas Carol as a gift from its family to yours — Happy Holidays! ### |