FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 2, 2004
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK REVISITS A FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION AS THE STONA FITCH FAMILY, GRADISON MCDONALD AND KEYBANK PRESENT A CHRISTMAS CAROL, DECEMBER 1-DECEMBER 30

(CINCINNATI) – For the 14th straight year, the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will offer its own special gift to the Tristate community with its annual retelling of a holiday fable for the ages, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The Stona Fitch Family, Gradison McDonald and KeyBank present this faithful adaptation in the Playhouse’s Robert S. Marx Theatre beginning December 1 and continuing through December 30.

First written in 1843, A Christmas Carol was an instant success that sold 10,000 copies in just 10 days in its initial printing. The book became the author’s most popular work, translated into nearly every language and inspiring hundreds of television, film and stage adaptations. Additionally, Dickens’ tale so reinvigorated the spirit of the holidays, which had been waning in his native England, that one young girl upon hearing of the author’s death in 1870 remarked, “Mr. Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die too?”

Adapted by Howard Dallin, the Playhouse’s version of A Christmas Carol combines faithful storytelling with spellbinding special effects. While Dickens relied on words and imagination alone to produce four ghosts out of thin air and to move his characters through space and time, the Playhouse also employs the best stage technology to bring to vivid life the familiar story of a sinner given one last chance at redemption. As the spirits show him events from his own past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a miraculous transformation, witnessing with new eyes his actions toward those individuals who played instrumental roles in his life. He also realizes that it’s never too late to change his miserly ways. A Christmas Carol’s heartwarming message makes the show one of the Playhouse’s most popular productions year after year.

Joneal Joplin will return for his eighth and final season in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. A favorite Playhouse performer, his other appearances here include Mister Roberts, King Lear, Inherit the Wind, Sweeney Todd and many others. According to A Christmas Carol director Michael Evan Haney, “What I love about Jop is that he never stops working on the role. He continues to bring new depth to it every year, and because of that he keeps making the role better and better. I think that’s why audiences love coming back to see him again and again. He’s touched so many hearts in Cincinnati.”

Returning for another year of Carol-ing are Bruce Cromer as Bob Cratchit, Dale Hodges as Ghost of Christmas Past, Angela Lin as Belle and Catherine Margaret, Gregory Procaccino as Jacob Marley, Regina Pugh as Mrs. Cratchit, Stephen Skiles as Mr. Cupp and Percy and Amy Warner as Mrs. Fezziwig. Joining them for the first time are Ron Simons as Mr. Sosser and Topper, Jay Stratton as Fred, veteran Playhouse actor Keith Jochim (Nixon's Nixon) as Mr. Fezziwig and Ghost of Christmas Present and Jared Joplin, Joneal Joplin’s son, in the roles of Young and Mature Scrooge and Ghost of Christmas Future.

Playing carolers and party guests are Amber K. Browning, Sunshine Cappelletti, Brian Edgecomb, Nikki Ferry, John Graham, Shawn Knight, Deborah Anne Radloff and Jim Ward.

Ten area children also appear in this year's production of A Christmas Carol. Returning are Alec Shelby Bowling as Ignorance, Lucas Clark as Tiny Tim, Thomas Langlois as Peter Cratchit, Evan Martin (a former Tiny Tim) as Boy Scrooge, K. McKenzie Miller as Martha Cratchit, Theresa White as Belinda Cratchit and Megan Zink as a Fezziwig Guest. This year’s debuting youngsters are Corri Johnson as Fan, Abby Secker as Want and Xavier Styles as Charles and George.

Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Michael Evan Haney, who’s been associated with A Christmas Carol since its first year (including two as the first Bob Cratchit), directs the show for the 12th time. The design team includes James Leonard Joy (sets), David Murin (costumes), Kirk Bookman (lighting) and David B. Smith (sound). Dee Anne Bryll is the choreographer, and Rebecca N. Childs is the musical director. The production stage manager is Bruce E. Coyle. Jenifer Morrow is the stage manager.

Performances of A Christmas Carol are scheduled every day of the week except Mondays (unless otherwise noted). There are no performances on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Instead, there are additional matinee performances on Wednesday, December 22 and Thursday, December 23 and an additional evening performance on Monday, December 27.

All show times are at 2 p.m. for matinees and 7 p.m. for evening shows to accommodate families with children. Please note the earlier curtain time.

This year, the Playhouse again will partner with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul to play host to the Cratchit Family Food Drive. Audience members are invited to bring canned goods to the Playhouse anytime between November 17 and December 30 to help Tristate families this holiday season. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been providing basic necessities to Greater Cincinnati families in need for more than 135 years. For more information, call 513/421-2273 or visit www.svdpcincinnati.org.

Those who purchase tickets to A Christmas Carol also can "Sample the Best" of the Tristate's other holiday traditions for a discounted price. Theatergoers who purchase full-priced tickets to A Christmas Carol can purchase $15 tickets to selected performances of Cincinnati Ballet's The Nutcracker and $15 or $20 tickets to Cincinnati Pops Orchestra's Happy Holidays from the Pops. For information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888.

Tickets for A Christmas Carol are on sale now. Prices range from $33.50-$48.50, 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 tickets to A Christmas Carol or for more information, 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!

Audio Described Performance
2 p.m. Saturday, December 4

Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, December 5

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The price is $21. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsors:
The Stona Fitch Family, Gradison McDonald and Keybank

Production Design Sponsor:
Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati

Scrooge and Cratchit Sponsor:
Neyer Construction, Inc.

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
GE Aircraft Engines

The 2004-2005 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

The Marx Season Design Sponsor is the
Cinergy Foundation.

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