Meadow Brook Theatre celebrates 35 years of “A Christmas Carol”

Running Nov. 11 through Dec. 23 2016, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich.

One of southeast Michigan’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 35th year when Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a handful of ghosts raise your spirits in “A Christmas Carol” at Meadow Brook Theatre this November and December.

“A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, original adaptation and staging by Charles Nolte, runs at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester from Friday, November 11 through Friday, December 23.

“Folks come back to see ‘A Christmas Carol’ year after year,” says Cheryl Marshall, MBT managing director. “People who came as kids and have moved away, come home for the holidays and make sure to include us in their visits. We’re thrilled to be part of their families during the holiday season.”

Once again, two local children are excited to share the role of Tiny Tim. Ari Bigelman from Bloomfield Hills and Collin Graff from Clarkston each have several turns as the boy who helps Scrooge find his Christmas spirit. The cast also includes Mark Rademacher (Ghost of Jacob Marley and the Spirit of Christmas Present), Sara Catheryn Wolf (Spirit of Christmas Past), Rusty Mewha (Spirit of Christmas Future), and Tobin Hissong and Jean Lyle Lepard as Bob and Martha Cratchit.

“This is our largest cast of the season,” explains Travis Walter, MBT’s artistic director. “It’s great for the kids that are in the cast, for them to get a taste of acting professionally. Some of them have started here and gone on to major in acting in school and pursue it as a career. We even have a former Tiny Tim that’s been on Broadway.”

The Meadow Brook Theatre adaptation was written and originally staged by Charles Nolte. MBT Associate Director Terry W. Carpenter directs this season’s production, with original choreography by Jan Puffer. Scenic design is by Peter Hicks, lighting by Reid G. Johnson, costumes by Mary Pettinato and sound design by Mike Duncan.

Tickets range from $20 to $42 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at
248-377-3300 or going online at www.Ticketmaster.com.  Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group discounts.

“There are lots of opportunities to see the show,” says Cheryl Marshall. “We’re starting early—November 11—and running right up through December 23. There are quite a few chances for families to get discounted tickets early in the run.”

There are several opportunities for families to save money: Nov. 11, 12 and 13, tickets are discounted for the whole family. Nov. 18, 19 and 20, children 5 to 12 are half price.

This production of “A Christmas Carol” is made possible through the support of The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Kresge Foundation, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.

Meadow Brook Theatre is located on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. Meadow Brook Theatre is a nonprofit, cultural institution proudly serving southeast Michigan for more than 50 years. For additional information, visit www.MBTheatre.com.

Cast:

Ebenezer Scrooge – Thomas D. Mahard*

Ghost of Jacob Marley – Mark Rademacher*

Spirit of Christmas Past – Sara Catheryn Wolf*

Spirit of Christmas Present – Mark Rademacher*

Spirit of Christmas Future – Rusty Mewha*

1st Charity Man – Chip DuFord*

2nd Charity Man – Phil Powers*

Bob Cratchit – Tobin Hissong*

Mrs. Cratchit – Jean Lyle Lepard*

Martha Cratchit – Sarah Hartmus (Rochester Hills)/Sarah Wallis (Rochester Hills)

Peter Cratchit – Nikko DiPonio (Bloomfield Hills)/Collin Kilpatrick (Rochester Hills)

Belinda Cratchit – Sienna Berkseth (Rochester Hills)/Aspen Jacobsen (Commerce Twp.)

Matthew Cratchit – Dawson Bomers (Rochester)/Aidan Hepler (Clarkston)

Tiny Tim Cratchit – Ari Bigelman (Bloomfield Hills)/Collin Graff (Clarkston)

Fred – Dale White

Fred’s Wife – Franny Kromminga

Turkey Boy – Vincent Farrehi (Rochester)/Ethan Sharp (Clarkston)

Boy Scrooge – Vihaar Nandigala (Farmington Hills)/John Paul Stephens (Oakland Twp.)

Fan – Jenna Arnold (Rochester Hills)/Makayla Flowers (Detroit)

Fezziwig – Chip DuFord*

Young Scrooge – Garett Michael Harris

Dick Wilkins – Joshua Steckleberg

Mrs. Fezziwig – Stephanie Nichols*

Belle – Aubrey Fink

Belle’s Husband – Rusty Mewha*

Ignorance – Ari Bigelman (Bloomfield Hills)/Collin Graff (Clarkston)

Want – Bridget Shene (New Hudson)/Lucy Jane Silver (Rochester Hills)

Merchants – Garett Michael Harris, David Schoen, Joshua Steckleberg

Old Joe – Phil Powers*

Charwoman – Sara Catheryn Wolf*

Laundress – Stephanie Nichols*

Undertaker – Chip DuFord*

Londoners – Jenna Arnold, Rose Mary Bednar, Sienna Berkseth, Ari Bigelman, Dawson Bomers, Nikko DiPonio, Chip DuFord*, Lilianna Duncan, Vincent Farrehi, Aubrey Fink, Makayla Flowers, Collin Graff, Garett Michael Harris, Sarah Hartmus, Aidan Hepler, Tobin Hissong*, Aspen Jacobsen, Collin Kilpatrick, Franny Kromminga, Katy Kujala, Jean Lyle Lepard*, Megan MacKenzie, Rusty Mewha*, Vihaar Nandigala, Stephanie Nichols*, Tamara PiLar, Phil Powers*, Mark Rademacher*, David Schoen,  Ethan Sharp, Bridget Shene, Lucy Jane Silver, Joshua Steckleberg,  John Paul Stephens, Sarah Wallis, Dale White & Sara Catheryn Wolf*

Director and Stage Manager – Terry W. Carpenter*

Adaptation and Original Staging – Charles Nolte

Assistant Stage Manager – Sarah Warren*

Choral Director – Matt Croft

Choral Arrangements – Caitlin Burke

Dance Mistress – Ann O’Brien

Original Choreography – Jan Puffer

Dialect Coach – Lynnae Lehfeldt

Set Design – Peter W. Hicks

Lighting Design – Reid G. Johnson

Costume Design – Mary Pettinato

Sound Design – Mike Duncan

*Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association

 

 

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