For Immediate Release: October 13, 2006
Media Contact: Chuck Reece, Bristol Riverside Theatre, 215.785.0100

The Holiday season starts early this year at Bristol Riverside Theatre as The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge by Mark Brown takes stage November 14, 2006. Picking up where A Christmas Carol leaves off, we find that Scrooge, one year after his "miraculous" Christmas, has brought charges against Jacob Marley and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet-to-Come for "attempted murder, kidnapping, breaking and entering, trespassing, stalking, slander, theft, pain and suffering, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress." As the courtroom comedy unfolds, we see how the Spirits attempt to defend their actions and what has brought Scrooge to file his outrageous complaint in the first place.

The production will be directed by BRT's Artistic Director, Edward Keith Baker and will feature an extremely accomplished cast. "I am thrilled with the fine actors we have assembled for this production," Mr. Baker stated recently. "They are sure to provide our audiences with most memorable performances of Dickens' unforgettable characters, all in a new light."

In the role of Ebenezer Scrooge will be David Howey. Mr. Howey is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He was an actor in England for 30 years working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre Company, the Royal Court Theatre, in London's West End and in innumerable TV series and films. He has appeared on Broadway twice and performed Shakespeare across the USA. Mr. Howey previously appeared on the BRT stage as the Ghost, the Player King and the Grave Digger in BRT's 2003 production of Hamlet. In the Philadelphia area he has appeared in Shakespearean roles at the Annenberg Center, Arcadia University Shakespeare Festival, the Philadelphia Shakespeare Festival, and in other memorable roles at the Wilma Theater, the Arden Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, and with 1812 Productions. He received Barrymore nominations as Outstanding Actor for both his Shylock (The Merchant of Venice) and Malvolio (Twelfth Night).

BRT's production of Hamlet was directed by renowned Shakespearean actor and director Douglas Campbell. Mr. Campbell will be joining the Scrooge cast in the role of Judge Stanchfield R. Pearson. Born in Scotland, he now resides in Montreal having played an integral role in the establishment of the Stratford (Ontario) Festival, one of the world's most prestigious Shakespearean theatres. His theatrical career spans more than 60 years as actor and director. Recently in Canada, he was awarded the prestigious Governor General's Award for Services to the Arts. He is also a member of the Order of Canada. He last appeared at BRT in 2004 as Jean-Paul Sartre in Tête-à-Tête, and received the 2002 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Actor in BRT's production of The Dresser.

Mr. Campbell shared the stage in Tête-à-Tête with his wife Moira Wylie, a distinguished actor in her own right. The real-life couple took the stage as the historical duo of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. A native Bostonian, she studied under Uta Hagen in New York and made her first stage appearance in Philadelphia in 1963 in A Man For All Seasons. Elsewhere in the region she has appeared at Luna Stage in New Jersey. Ms. Wylie will be returning to BRT for Scrooge as Mrs. Cratchit and Sara Wainwright.

Also returning to BRT after a successful run as protagonist Phileas Fogg in the season opening Around the World in 80 Days is Ezra Barnes. Mr. Barnes will be tackling the role of Solomon Rothschild, the defense attorney for Jacob Marley and the three Christmas Spirits. Mr. Barnes is the Founding Artistic Director of Shakespeare on the Sound in Norwalk, CT where he has directed and performed in over a dozen productions in addition to his leadership of the company. He previously worked under Keith Baker's direction in BRT's production of Ionescos' Macbett (1993).

Veteran Philadelphia actor Tim Moyer also appearing in 80 Days as Detective Fix (and others) and is back for Scrooge as Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley. Mr. Moyer returned to BRT this season after a 13 year hiatus, having been seen in BRT productions such as Murrow, Moby Dick, The Price, Two by Two, and Man of La Mancha. He has recently been working with InterAct Theatre Company and Lantern Theatre Company in Philadelphia, and Act II Playhouse in Ambler.

Another veteran of the Bristol stage is BRT regular Jo Twiss, who will be portraying the roles of Mrs. Dilber and the Translator for the Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come. Ms Twiss' past appearances at BRT include A Moon for the Misbegotten (2001 Outstanding Leading Actress Barrymore Nomination), The Dresser, The Cherry Orchard, Jake's Women, and Always, Patsy Cline. Ms. Twiss recently appeared on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with Ashley Judd, Jason Patric and Ned Beatty. Other New York credits include roles Off Broadway at Lincoln Center and in over 75 productions of new plays for Circle Repertory Company. In Philadelphia she was nominated for a 2000 Barrymore for Supporting Actress as Maggie in Dancing at Lughnasa at Hedgerow Theatre, has appeared at the Wilma Theatre and teaches at the University of the Arts.

New to the BRT stage and rounding out the cast are New Yorker Sarah Hankins who will be reprising her roles from the world premiere production of The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge at Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival and Philadelphia actor Foster Cronin, who has worked locally with the Arden, Tectonic Theatre Project, and the Azuka Theatre Collective, among others.

The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge by Mark Brown runs November 14 through December 10 for a special four-week engagement in anticipation of increased Holiday interest. All performances are at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street, in Historic Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. Tickets are $29 for previews and $34-$37 for regular performances and are available online at www.BRTstage.org, or by calling the BRT Box Office at 215-785-0100. BRT thanks Verizon, Grand Sponsor of its 20th Anniversary Season.

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