DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will stage Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, “A Christmas Carol,” at 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, in the Berkshire Theatre in Berkshire Hall on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $7 for children, and can be purchased by phone at (203) 837-TIXX, online at www.wcsu.edu/tickets or at the door.
Ebenezer Scrooge, a dismal and cold-hearted old man who is particularly greedy around the winter holidays, has come to signify the antithesis of the Christmas spirit. After rejecting all invitations of good tidings on Christmas Eve, Scrooge sits unhappily in his lonely house. His former, now-deceased partner, Marley, visits him in the form a ghost. Marley warns Scrooge of the tragedy that will befall him if he does not change his miserable ways and informs him that he will be haunted by three spirits during the night.
The cast includes Sean Spencer, of Westbrook, as Ebenezer Scrooge; Jim O’Reilly, of Redding, as Bob Crachit; Jim Goggin, of Naugatuck, as Fred; Sean Pultz, of Stamford, as Marley’s Ghost; Aline O’Connor, of Colchester, as Ghost of Christmas Past/Lucy; Thomas Fisher, of New York, N.Y., as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Leroy Walton, of Hamden, as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come; Ty McCombe, of Vernon, as Belle’s Husband/Gentleman #1; Stevie Franco, of Bristol, as Gentleman #3; Erika Flynn, of Darien, as Mrs. Partlett; Jenna Waltuch, of Bethel, as the Schoolmaster; Kyle Papallo, of Sherman, as the Older Scrooge/Poor Husband; Susannah Resnikoff, of Middletown, as Fan/Mrs. Dilber; Brianne Sassone, of Paramus, N.J., as Belle/First Woman; Anthony Paparello, of Bristol, as Mr. Fezziwig/Old Joe; Lindsay Gilbert, of Wethersfield, as Mrs. Fezziwig; Brianna Bagley, of Stafford Springs, as Mrs. Crachit/Second Woman; Laura Bolt, of Pompton Lakes, N.J., as Martha Crachit; Michelle O’Konis, of Stafford Springs, as Belinda Crachit; Myles Tripp, of New Haven, as Peter Crachit; Misha Schmidt of as Topper, Julia Mian of Newburg, N.Y., as the Sister-in-Law; Theresa Curran, of Shelton, as Narrator A; and Katrina Abreau, of Shelton, as Narrator B/Poor Wife.
The crew features faculty members Sal Trapani and Pam McDaniel as producers, Erik Tonner as director, Frank Herbert as technical director, and Liz Popiel as set designer. Student crew members include: Shannon Stowe, of Monroe, as assistant producer; Cassey Miko, of Stratford, as assistant director; Suzi Immarigeon, of New Fairfield, as production stage manager; Matt Terzigni, of Watertown, as assistant stage manager; Kayla Fontanez-La-Selle, of Peekskill, N.Y., as choreographer; Lisa Rene Jordan, of Brooklyn, N.Y., as costume designer; Melanie Leff, of Cortland Manor, N.Y., as lighting designer; Erika Flynn, of Darien, as musical director; Ty McCombe, of Vernon, as musical director; Zak Klvana, of Sherman, as sound designer; and Brianne Sassone, of Paramus, N.J., as hair and make-up designer.
Tonner’s adaption of the Christmas classic is magical, insightful and filled with heart. The song-filled performance reawakens the true spirit of the holidays, with a spooky and inspiring portrayal of redemption.
For more information, call (203) 837-8258. For advance tickets, call (203) 837-TIXX or go to www.wcsu.edu/tickets.