ATC Tulsa presents A Christmas Carol

American Theatre Company (ATC) continues its 45th Season with the theatre's 39th presentation of Tulsa's favorite holiday family musical, A Christmas Carol: A Christmas Ghost Story.

Written, composed, and adapted by Tulsans, and ATC company members Robert Odle and Richard Averill, the production premiered in 1976 at Philbrook Museum of Art. This musical production moved the following year to the then newly opened Tulsa Performing Arts Center where it remains today. The premier ’76 rendition of this heartwarming Christmas ghost story featured composer Richard Averill as Mr. Fezziwig and Robert Odle as Jacob Marley, the adaptor.

A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens in a six-week period in October and November in 1843. Dickens tells a heartwarming story that offers hope through the tale of one lonely humbug who is given the rare chance to change his life and find his heart. It’s a story of generosity, family and good will. After Minnesota’s Guthrie Theatre, American Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol is the second oldest production in the country, according to American Theatre Magazine.

This year’s production is well under way. The production is cast and has been in rehearsal for almost a month. It’s a big, exciting and talented cast of just under 50. Karl Krause returns with his beloved portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge and Rick Reiman returns as Jacob Marley.

New to the cast this year is Justin McKean in the role of Christmas Present and Alexandra Coppinger as Christmas Past. New to the cast, or to the role they are playing, are Cassie Huff as Belle, David Moreland in the double roles as Scrooge’s nephew Fred as well as young Ben Scrooge and Bailey Workman as Charlotte. Brad Gemeinhart will assume the role of Bob Cratchit, and introducing Gigi Jenkins as Tiny Tim.

This year’s production marks the return of Claudia Sanders as director of A Christmas Carol. She last directed the show the year that the production played the Williams Theatre and then moved to the Brady Theatre for a larger, longer extended run. Also returning is Ashlee Elmore, musical director, Christina Jenkins, choreographer, and Keith Sowinski, who is designing lights on Richard Ellis’ sets.

Revisit or start your family tradition this holiday season. This 39th production of A Christmas Carol will run at Tulsa’s Performing Arts Center in the Williams Theatre. Show dates are December 10 through 23. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinee curtain time at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $20 to $32, with half price children’s tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at MyTicketOffice.com, at the PAC Ticket Office at Third and Cincinnati, or by phone at (918) 596-7111. For more information contact ATC at (918) 747-9494.

The Gayly – December 7, 2015 @ 3:25 p.m.