While the busy holiday season reaches full swing, WST for Kids’ A Christmas Carol offers a fun and enjoyable way to slow down and enjoy time with family. Filled with joy and laughter, whimsical spirits and timeless carols, the musical has become a Philadelphia tradition for families and school groups across the Delaware Valley.
Audiences get a glimpse of 1840s London, where they meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man whose heart is vacant of love and affection. This grumpy miser dismisses every glimmer of holiday cheer with a “Bah, Humbug.” On one unforgettable Christmas Eve, however, three ghostly visitors set out to change Old Scrooge’s ways forever. Traveling through his past, present, and possible future, Scrooge is awakened to the magic of Christmas. He truly learns what the holiday season is all about: generosity and love.
This season, WST for Kids’ production of A Christmas Carol welcomes Ellie Mooney as the Director and returning Choreographer of the show. Mooney is currently performing as the Wicked Witch in the Walnut’s production of The Wizard Of Oz and has appeared in several other Walnut productions, including: Sister Act, Mary Poppins, 9 to 5, A Christmas Story, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and Amadeus. Backstage at the Walnut, she has directed and choreographed I Love a Piano and WST for Kids’ hit production of Fancy Nancy.
Mooney expressed excitement about taking on the roles of Director and Choreographer this year. “I am so excited to work with such a wonderful cast to create the magic of Dickens’ story,” she said. “The musical numbers in A Christmas Carol will allow audiences to share in the uplifting message and joyous spirit that this show has to offer, and I hope everyone leaves the theatre inspired, smiling… and dancing.”
A regular on the Walnut’s Mainstage, Bill Van Horn was previously commissioned by the Walnut to adapt Dickens’ classic novel for the stage in collaboration with Michael Borton. Walnut Street Theatre welcomes back Music and Vocal Director Chris Burcheri, who previously worked on WST for Kids’ productions of Shrek the Musical Jr. and Beauty and the Beast Jr. Additional members of the creative team include Set Designer Glen Sears (Always…Patsy Cline), Lighting Designer J. Dominic Chacon (Miss Nelson Has a Field Day) and Sound Designer Ryan Peavey (South Pacific). Abigail Stenner completes the production as Costume Designer, creating the iconic Victorian wardrobe of 1840s London. Stenner is a member of this season’s Walnut Street Theatre Apprentice class.
Mark Collmer, native to the Philadelphia area, is eager to return to the cast for a 3rd year as the “humbug”-ing old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Collmer on the stage are local actors who are members of The Theatre School at Walnut Street Theatre: Marissa Barnathan, Jared Calhoun, Ethan Jih-Cook, RJ Chichester, Vincent Longo, Matthew Mastronardi, Connor McAndrews, Fionnaula Meister and Jamie Beth Weist of Philadelphia; Skylar Raye Noyes and Nick Williams of Moorestown, NJ; Aren Duffy of Marlton, NJ; and Cameron Flurry of Newtown, PA. Current Walnut Acting Apprentices Anne Bragg, Alexa Cepeda, Dana Orange, and Austin Turner complete the cast.
Behind the scenes, Walnut Street Theatre’s Department of Education helps to transform Dickens’ powerful and magical story into a memorable educational experience. In addition to giving students the opportunity to see the novel they’ve read spring to life right before their eyes, the Walnut provides teachers with free online study guides to spark meaningful conversation about the show before students enter the theatre. Exploring the content of the story in the classroom not only further engages students but also adds excitement to the experience of seeing the familiar characters and period fashion and hearing the bright holiday music of A Christmas Carol on stage.
A Christmas Carol has matinee performances on November 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11, 13-18, and 20-23. The Wednesday, December 14th performance will be ASL interpreted and Audio Described. Tickets are $14.50 - $16.50. 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 walnutstreettheatre.org.