The 40th Anniversary Production

A Christmas Carol

Directed by John Langs with Kurt Beattie and Charles Leggett as Ebenezer Scrooge MEDIA CONTACT:

Valerie Brunetto, Public Relations and Communications Manager [email protected] (206) 292–7660 x1339 700 Union St., Seattle, WA 98101

WHO: ACT – A Contemporary Theatre presents A Christmas Carol WHAT: The 40th year of this 90-minute holiday tradition, by Charles Dickens, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. Music composed and conducted by Adam Stern. WHEN: Nov 27–Dec 30, 2015 (Opening/Press on Sunday, Nov 29 at 1:00pm) WHERE: ACT Theatre Allen Theatre, 700 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101 WHY: A family tradition to remind us what's really worth celebrating—at the holidays, or any time! *Update 11/16/2015: Charles Leggett will be performing as Scrooge on Friday, Nov 27 Tickets start at: Adults: $37; Children: $27 Available to ACTPass members on Dec 1, 8, 9, and 15. Now on sale: 206.292.7676 or www.acttheatre.org Prices listed on website, prices change based on availability Seattle, WA – November 3, 2015 – ACT – A Contemporary Theatre is proud to present its 40th annual production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Gregory A. Falls. A Christmas Carol is directed by incoming Artistic Director John Langs with current Artistic Director Kurt Beattie returning to play Ebenezer Scrooge, in alternating performances with Gregory Award-winning actor Charles Leggett who will debut in the role of Scrooge. A Seattle holiday tradition since 1976, Gregory Falls’ highly-celebrated adaptation of A Christmas Carol follows the original Dickens tale and takes audiences along on Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformational journey as three ghostly visitors lead him on a trip through Christmases past, present and future. Artistic Director Kurt Beattie has been creating theatre for Puget Sound audiences for over 40 years as an actor, playwright, and director. His productions at ACT include Grey Gardens, Ramayana (with Sheila Daniels), The Pitmen Painters, and Double Indemnity, among others. Charles Leggett is a recipient and three-time nominee of the Theatre Puget Sound Gregory Award and was nominated for The Stranger Genius Award in 2009 and 2015. ACT credits include Gooper in A Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Spirit 2 in A Christmas Carol (seven iterations, beginning in 2002), and Victor Franz in The Price, among others. Bob Cratchit will be played by Matthew Floyd Miller, who has appeared at ACT previously as Katurian in The Pillowman, as the poet Versati in The Underpants, as Jan in Rock ‘n’ Roll, and as The Cop in

Middletown. The role of Marley/Old Joe will be played by G. Valmont Thomas, who returns to ACT after performing in Water By The Spoonful (West Of Lenin), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Tennessee Shakespeare Company), Blue in Party People (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), and Wining Boy in The Piano Lesson (Syracuse Stage and Seattle Repertory Theatre). CAST Kurt Beattie* – Scrooge Rob Burgess – Mr. Fezziwig/Topper Hillary Clemens* – Spirit 1/Charwoman Ava Drummond – Tiny Tim/Ignorance David Drummond* – Spirit 2/Other Ariyanna Fernandez – Elizabeth Cratchit/Lil Fezziwig Sophia Franzella – Martha Cratchit/Miss Fezziwig Sarah Harlett* – Mrs. Fezziwig/Miss Clackett Kristoffer Holtan – Charles Cratchit/Young Scrooge Charles Leggett* – Scrooge Matthew Floyd Miller* – Bob Cratchit Derek Mulkins – Peter Cratchit Heidi Myrick – Belinda Cratchit/Fan/Want Conner Neddersen – Middle Scrooge/Guest/Grocer/Spirit 3 Brandon Oke – Singing Thief/Master Fezziwig/Undertaker’s Assistant/Turkey Boy Matt Schwader* – Fred/Dick Wilkins Jasmine Jean Sim – Belle/Niece G. Valmont Thomas* – Marley/Old Joe Jen Taylor* – Mrs. Cratchit/Fezziwig Dancer CREATIVE TEAM John Langs – Director Shelley Henze Schermer – Scenic Designer Deborah Trout – Costume Designer Michael Wellborn – Lighting Designer Dominic CodyKramers – Sound Designer Chris DiStefano – Music Director Steven M. Klein – Original Sound Designer Emily Penick – Choreographer JR Welden* – Stage Manager Erin Zatloka* – Assistant Stage Manager Tori Thompson – Production Assistant Ann Ciecko – Assistant Lighting Director Alyssa Keene – Dialect Coach Wiley Basho Gorn – Kenan Directing Fellow Thomas Charles Speltz – Directing Intern *Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. ABOUT JOHN LANGS

John Langs has served as Associate Artistic Director of ACT for three years, and will become ACT’s Artistic Director in 2016. Langs’ 16–year freelance career has afforded him the opportunity to work with many prestigious theatre companies across the country. He has directed productions at Playwrights Horizons NY, Ensemble Studio Theater NY, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Lookingglass Theater Company in Chicago, Circle X in Los Angeles, The Resident Ensemble, New Century Theatre Company, Washington Ensemble Theatre, and Seattle Shakespeare Company. Langs received his directing degree from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Some of his favorite directing credits include The Shaggs Philosophy of the World (Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Award for Best Original Musical), and Brothers Karamazov (seven LADCC Awards including Best Production of the year and Best Direction) and directing Kurt Beattie in King Lear. Langs received the first annual Seattle Gregory Award honoring excellence in direction for The Adding Machine. Recent Seattle credits include NCTC’s Mary’s Wedding, The Seagull Project’s The Three Sisters, and Seattle Shakespeare’s Othello. As a dedicated fan of original work, Langs has shepherded over a dozen projects to their premier production. Hi-res pre-preproduction photos are available at http://bit.ly/ACTAChristmasCarol2015 with no code needed. For information or to arrange interviews, please contact PR and Communications Manager Valerie Brunetto at [email protected]. Charitable Partnerships ACT is hosting a food drive throughout the run of A Christmas Carol to benefit the Pike Market Food Bank. Bring in a donation, and help relieve hunger in our community. Pike Market Food Bank serves around 600 families and individuals every week with needed groceries and food. Located directly in Pike Place Market, they work to relieve hunger in our downtown Seattle community. Special Events The Dickens Carolers – The Dickens Carolers will be singing in between shows on Sunday, Nov 29. Inside A Christmas Carol - An exclusive backstage tour of A Christmas Carol! You'll visit the Allen Theatre, production rooms, and more to get access behind the scenes of ACT's annual holiday tradition. Cost: $17 per person Saturday matinees Dec 5, 2015 at 1pm Dec 12, 2015 at 1pm Dec 19, 2015 at 1pm Dec 26, 2015 at 1pm A Christmas Carol Performances: Friday, November 27, 7:30PM – Charles Leggett Saturday, November 28, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Saturday, November 28, 7:00PM – Charles Leggett Sunday, November 29, 1:00PM – Kurt Beattie – OPENING Sunday, November 29, 4:00PM – Charles Leggett Tuesday, December 01, 6:00PM – Kurt Beattie

Tuesday, December 01, 8:30PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 02, 7:30PM – Kurt Beattie Thursday, December 03, 2:00PM – Charles Leggett Thursday, December 03, 6:00PM – Kurt Beattie Friday, December 04, 7:30PM – Charles Leggett Saturday, December 05, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Saturday, December 05, 7:00PM – Charles Leggett Sunday, December 06, 1:00PM – Kurt Beattie Sunday, December 06, 4:00PM – Charles Leggett Tuesday, December 08, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Tuesday, December 08, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 09, 7:30PM – Kurt Beattie Thursday, December 10, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Thursday, December 10, 8:30PM – Kurt Beattie Friday, December 11, 7:30PM – Charles Leggett Saturday, December 12, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Saturday, December 12, 7:00PM – Charles Leggett Sunday, December 13, 1:00PM – Kurt Beattie Sunday, December 13, 4:00PM – Charles Leggett – ASL INTREPRETED Tuesday, December 15, 7:300PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 16, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 16, 8:30PM – Kurt Beattie Thursday, December 17, 7:30PM – Charles Leggett Friday, December 18, 6:00PM – Kurt Beattie Friday, December 18, 8:30PM – Charles Leggett Saturday, December 19, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Saturday, December 19, 7:00PM – Charles Leggett Sunday, December 20, 1:00PM – Kurt Beattie Sunday, December 20, 4:00PM – Charles Leggett Tuesday, December 22, 7:30PM – Kurt Beattie Wednesday, December 23, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 23, 8:30PM – Kurt Beattie Thursday, December 24, 1:00PM – Charles Leggett – CHRISTMAS EVE Thursday, December 24, 4:00PM – Kurt Beattie – CHRISTMAS EVE Saturday, December 26, 2:00PM – Kurt Beattie Saturday, December 26, 7:00PM – Charles Leggett Sunday, December 27, 1:00PM – Kurt Beattie Sunday, December 27, 4:00PM – Charles Leggett Monday, December 28, 7:30PM – Kurt Beattie Tuesday, December 29, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Tuesday, December 29, 8:30PM – Kurt Beattie Wednesday, December 30, 6:00PM – Charles Leggett Wednesday, December 30, 8:30PM – Kurt Beattie ABOUT ACT Located in Seattle’s Downtown Historic Theatre District, ACT is home to five performance spaces under one roof. Since 1965, ACT has been a destination for experiencing new voices, stories, and art. ACT is steadfast in its dedication to producing work with contemporary playwrights and local performing artists through its Mainstage Play series, ACTLab producing partnerships,

and Young Playwrights Program. With more than 450 performances a year, ACT is a community hub where artists and the public connect about today’s issues and ideas, and celebrate the shared experience. Seasons Sponsors: 4Culture, ArtsFund, Boeing, The John Graham Foundation, Office of Arts & Culture, The Norcliffe Foundation, The Shubert Foundation ###