The Walnut Street Theatre for Kids’ production of A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition for families all across the Delaware Valley. This delightful musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel is a wonderful and fun way to take a break from the hectic modern holiday world and celebrate the things that are truly important.

Ebenezer Scrooge is not a fan of Christmas, not one bit. He relentlessly “Bah, Humbugs” every glimmer of holiday cheer, after all, there’s business to be done and that’s more important, isn’t it? Even the warmth and kindness of the humble Cratchit family, including Scrooge’s trusty clerk Bob and the loveable Tiny Tim, cannot sway his dismal outlook. Things take a big change, however, when some ghostly guests visit Scrooge one fateful Christmas Eve. After traveling through his past, present and possible future, the grumpy miser finally opens his eyes to the magic and merriment of the season!

Walnut Street Theatre audiences will get a glimpse into A Christmas Carol of 1840’s London, with an original score based on the musical stylings of the mid-19th century. The show will feature authentic instruments, sets and theatrical special effects of the time period. Children of all ages will be simply astounded seeing a show at the nation’s oldest theatre presented exactly as it would have been in the 1840’s, even in a space that dates back to that time, an experience unique to the Walnut.

Ever since the story was first published in 1843, the ‘spirited’ visitors of A Christmas Carol have spread their holiday warmth year after year. The Walnut’s musical adaptation rekindles the spirit of giving, celebrates the strength of family and renews our hope for a brighter future. About an hour in length, A Christmas Carol is perfect for kids in grades K-9 and their ‘grown-up’ friends. The production runs from December 5 – December 19.

According to Susan Nicodemus Quinn, Director of Education: “What we have created is a new, exciting and age appropriate version of A Christmas Carol, and it has been so rewarding to see it grow into a wonderful tradition for multi-generations of families who come year after year for a special holiday family event.”

Providing a fresh outlook on a classic tale is new director David Stradley, who recently directed the Walnut’s Education Outreach Company in A Forest Fable, a show performed at local elementary schools to educate about sustainability and environmental issues. He has also directed and acted locally at Delaware Theatre Company, Act II Playhouse, and Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre. David is joined by Musical/Vocal Director Michael Borton, who in addition to being musical director for many past WST for Kids productions, wrote the music, book and lyrics for last year’s hugely popular The Berenstain Bears’ Family Matters. Choreographer Samuel Reyes also returns. The rest of the creative team includes returning artists: Shon Causer (Lighting Design), and Tomas Mayer-Wolf (Orchestrations); and new ones: Ashley Corbett, Rebecca Kanach (Costume Design), and K. Moriah Smith (Wig Design).

The cast features some excellent regional talents. Returning to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for a 2nd year is Benjamin Lovell. Ben has performed locally at the Media Theatre, the Ritz and the Shawnee Playhouse, and is best known for the locally renowned high-end retail shoe stores that bear his name. The Ensemble, all local actors, include Jessica Ball, Langston Darby, Matthew Mastornardi, Tinuyke Oyefule, Emily Rast, Matthew Mancuso, and James Stover of Philadelphia; Erin Frederick of King of Prussia, PA; Nathan Holt of State College, PA; Dante Mignucci of Havertown, PA; Jade Killion of Penn Valley, PA; Isaiah Ellis of Cherry Hill, NJ; Kelly DelDuca of Moorestown, NJ; and Sammi Zindel of Marlton, NJ.

A Christmas Carol has matinee performances on December 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17 and 19. The Friday, December 11th performance will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are only $10 - $14. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased online at Ticketmaster or by visiting the Walnut’s website at www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org.

JUST THE FACTS:

WHAT: A CHRISMAS CAROL
Based on the story by Charles Dickens
Music and Book by Bill Van Horn and Michael Borton

WHEN: December 5-19, 2009

WHERE: Walnut Street Theatre
825 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA

WHO: Directed by David Stradley
Musical/Vocal Direction: Michael Borton
Choreography: Samuel Reyes
Lighting Design: Shon Causer
Orchestrations: Tomas Mayer-Wolf
Costume Design: Ashley Corbett, Rebecca Kanach
Wig Design: K. Moriah Smith

TICKETS: $10- $14

CURTAIN: December 5 at 10:30AM , 1:00PM, and 3:30PM
December 10, 11, 16 and 17 at 10:30AM
December 12 and 19 at 11AM

PHONE: 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787

WEBSITE: www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster

THE CAST:
Scrooge........................................................BENJAMIN LOVELL
Fred/Others..................................................MATTHEW MANCUSO
Cratchit/Others.............................................JAMES STOVER
Marley/Others...............................................NATHAN HOLT
Ghost of Christmas Present/Others...........LANGSTON DARBY
Belle/Others..................................................EMILY RAST
Fezziwig/Others............................................MATTHEW MASTORNARDI
Mrs. Crachit/others.......................................JESSICA BALL
Ghost of Christmas Past/Others.................TINUYKE OYEFULE
Mrs. Dilber/Others........................................ERIN FREDERICK
Martha/Others...............................................KELLY DELDUCA
Peter/Others..................................................ISAIAH ELLIS
Boy Scrooge/Others.....................................DANTE MIGNUCCI
Belinda/Others...............................................SAMMI ZINDEL
Tiny Tim/Others..............................................JADE KILLION