Bah humbug! A Christmas Carol coming to STC

Just in time for the holidays, a Charles Dickens classic like you’ve never heard it before comes to the Sudbury Theatre Centre in the form of a new Canadian musical.

A Christmas Carol, the timeless story of redemption and the magic of the holidays begins Nov. 26 at STC in only its second production following a soldout world premiere run at Theatre New Brunswick in 2014.

Transporting us to mid-1800s London on Christmas Eve, an old penny-pinching miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, scoffs at the holiday spirit of those around him, declaring it “humbug”.

But that night, he is visited by a trio of Christmas spirits presenting the old man with a chilling choice: change his wicked ways or face a frosty future.

What follows is a heartwarming musical epic turn of fate as Scrooge finds salvation in the young Tiny Tim, discarding his villainy and whole-heartedly embracing the charity and community of Christmas in one of the most powerful stories of transformation the world has ever known, perfect for the whole family.

Long-time collaborators Michael Doherty and STC Artistic Executive Director Caleb Marshall created the new musical out of their mutual love of holiday storytelling. Doherty composed the music while Marshall wrote the book and lyrics.

“We both have a great passion for the theatre but perhaps of most of all for theatre at Christmas,” said Marshall. “It’s when the magic of storytelling mixes with the magic in the air, and when our responsibility to our fellow man is most resonant and keenly felt as we come together as a community and look beyond ourselves.”

The creators quickly settled on adapting Charles Dickens’ celebrated text as, in Marshall’s words, “no other story best illustrates our search for connection and redemption with our fellows than A Christmas Carol.”

It was important to the collaborators from the beginning to create a musical adaptation that remained faithful to its source material.

“It’s not a story that lends itself to huge glitzy dance numbers or light, frivolous music,” said Doherty. “We set out to integrate the music with the text in a way that was always driving the story forward and in that would in no way be diminished by ‘a musical number’, but rather has the movement to signing be an escalation of intention and tactics that made it harder on Scrooge.”

Marshall directs the production, the second of his own Christmas-themed adaptations to be produced at STC following last season’s hit, Miracle on 34th Street. Doherty serves as the musical director and sound designer, with orchestrations by Chris Churchill.

Naomi Costain serves as choreographer and associate director, while the production is brought to life through set and costume design by Patrick Clark, lighting design by Tristan Tidswell, and video design by Mike Johnston.

An ensemble cast includes Kristian Truelsen as Ebenezer Scrooge, Sudbury local Eric Belanger as Tiny Tim and others, Eric Craig as Fred, Marley, and others, Brandon Crone as Master Scrooge and others, Stuart Dowling as Fezziwig and others, Rick Hughes as Cratchit, Lorena Mackenzie as the Ghost of Christmas Past and others, Sudbury local Grace Reich as Young Fan and others, and Shannon Taylor as Belle and others.

The production features a live orchestra of local musicians Meredith Zwicker (piano), Duncan Cameron (violin), Ian Gibson (percussion), Brian Quebec (bass), Dick van Raadshooven (cello), and Allan J. Walsh (reeds).

A Christmas Carol is on stage at the Sudbury Theatre Centre Nov. 26 to Dec. 16, Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.

A pay-what-you-can matinee is offered Nov. 29.

As added holiday cheer, STC invites you to visit with Santa Claus on Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 beginning at 12:45 p.m. prior to the matinee performance. The public is also invited to join in a Christmas Sing-along following the 2 p.m. performance on Dec. 13.

As well, STC will be serving hot apple cider, rum and egg nog, and Christmas cookies throughout the run.

Tickets are $35.50 for adults, $31 for seniors, $21.25 for those under 30, and $12 for students. Book tickets through the STC Box Office in person at 170 Shaughnessy Street in Downtown Sudbury, by calling 705 674 8381, or online at sudburytheatre.ca.

Patrons are advised that A Christmas Carol contains ghosts, theatrical fog, memorable songs, and may excite the Christmas spirit.

Lead on, spirit. Lead on...