From left to right are Camille Gray (Christmas Past), Coy Owens (Christmas Present), Steve Baskett (Scrooge) and Owen Griffith (Tiny Tim).
Theatre Bristol presents "Scrooge! The Musical" at the ARTspace Theatre, which opens Dec. 4, and runs for two weekends of matinee and evening performances, closing with a matinee Dec. 13.
"Scrooge" is the timeless tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a lonely miser who is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits who teach him lessons of love and giving. Ebeneezer, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future and a whole host of Dickensian characters populate this award-winning, international smash hit musical by Leslie Bricusse.
Directing the show is Theatre Bristol veteran Glenn Patterson. "It is a pleasure to work with this timeless classic. "Scrooge! The Musical' reminds us that it is never too late to embrace the joy of living," said Patterson. This year's production features Theatre Bristol's new lighting system, as well as a re-imagined set by Patterson and crew, choreography, costumes and more.
Steve Baskett in the title role of Ebeneezer Scrooge is joined by a cast of 34. Scrooge experiences otherworldly nightly visits by Jacob Marley played by Mike Bishop, The Ghost of Christmas Past by Camille Gray, The Ghost of Christmas Present by Coy Owens, and The Ghost of Christmas Future by Anthony Underwood.
Scrooge is taken back to his youth. He is played as a child by Xander Harris, and his sister Jenny is played by Emma Bishop. Christmas Past then escorts Scrooge to the holiday celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, portrayed by Theatre Bristol veterans Dan Gray and Hyacynth Barbera. There, young Ebenezer, Ben Fitton, meets Isabel, Jessica Hughes.
Christmas Present soon appears and he and Scrooge attend the holiday party of Scrooge's nephew Harry, also played by Ben Fitton, and Harry's wife Helen, Ashton Bishop. The nightly tour ends with Christmas Future guiding him to the family home of Bob Cratchit played by Mark Hutton, with Mrs. Cratchit by Angie Hyche, Peter Cratchit by Xander Harris, Kathy Cratchit by Lauren Turner, Martha Cratchit by Gracie Brooks, Belinda Cratchit by Emmersyn Hardy and Tiny Tim by Owen Griffith and Lucy Tester.
The townspeople include Daniel Freeman as Tom Jenkins, Coy Owens as the Wine Merchant, Steve Kestner as Pringle, Alayna Walker as Mary, Anthony Underwood as Harty/Topper, Daniel Freeman as Dick Wilkins, John Runde as Jollygoode, Dan Gray as Miller, Anthony Underwood as Mr. Bleak, Gerri Timmons as Bess, Billy Baugher as Bissett, Shannon Dabney as Mrs. Dilber, Eden Phillips as Miss Dilber and Alayna Walker as the Beggar woman. Hughes, Kestner, Underwood, Dabney and Timmons are making their debut with Theatre Bristol in this production.
Urchins returning to the Theatre Bristol stage are Hope Oliver, Emma Hatcher, Carly Street, Emma Bishop, Rori Simmons, Thatcher Hutton and Jazz Strachan. Urchins making their debut on the Theatre Bristol stage are Whitney Brooks, Ethan Riffey and Faith Vance.
Show performances are Fridays, Dec. 4 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 6 at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday Dec. 13 at 2:30 p.m.; and Thursday Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $12. Senior and children's tickets are $10. Call 423-212-3625 with name, phone, performance date, and number of tickets to arrange reservations.
For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol's website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
