Follow on Google News News By Tag Industry News News By Place Country(s) Industry News
Follow on Google News | Rubicon Theatre Company Presents a World Premiere Adaptation: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas CarolCast Includes Broadway Veterans Peter Van Norden, Joe Spano, Jennifer Leigh Warren and Teri Bibb; Rubicon Favorite Alyson Schuster Melling and the Largest Cast for a Play in Rubicon’s History.
By: Rubicon Theatre Company This timeless tale of redemption and hope follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Peter Van Norden), who is visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley (Joe Spano) and three spirits, who show him the error of his ways. Director Brian McDonald describes Rubicon’s version of the holiday tale as, “a dynamic actor-driven, ensemble-devised production, full of surprises. The story is told in an imaginative, narrative style, with actors directly addressing the audience at various moments,” says McDonald. “The artists portray multiple characters, dogs, food – even dressing gowns and doors,” he continues. “It’s a little in the style of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s landmark production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, only shorter,” says McDonald. “We hope our audiences will find the approach playful, engaging and impactful.” According to McDonald, Burns’ adaptation also provides an intimate glimpse into Scrooge’s past. “The script provides a revealing portrait of the lost and lonely child who became the miserly man,” says McDonald. Elijah Graham, a thirteen-year- “As I have watched rehearsals,” “Whatever one’s belief system,” continues Burns, “we hope attendees will find A Christmas Carol both entertaining and moving. Whatever hurts we have experienced, whatever wrong turns we have made,” says Burns, “it is never too late to change. We can honor the past, present and future. Like Ebenezer Scrooge, we can become a child again and be reborn.” More on Van Norden and Spano as Scrooge and Marley No stranger to the role of Scrooge, Peter Van Norden portrayed the crotchety character for two seasons at San Diego Rep. Stepping into the role again, he finds this version refreshing in its approach as compared to traditional productions. “Scrooge has been dear to my heart since I was a boy,” says Van Norden. “When you do the play right, Scrooge finds the meaning and joy in life again. It’s a great role to play. What I love Karyl Lynn’s astonishing adaptation is the constant theatricality. It gives the story vibrancy and clarity.” Van Norden is a New York native whose Broadway credits include Hamlet with Kevin Kline and Sam Waterston, Jungle of Cities with Al Pacino, Henry V with Meryl Streep, and Saint Joan with Lynn Redgrave. He has worked at many of the nation’s most prestigious rep companies, including The Globe Theatre, San Diego Rep, San Jose Rep (Bay Area Theatre Critics Award for Andrew Undershaft in Major Barbara), Center Stage, Seattle Rep, Intiman Theatre, and Berkeley Rep. His dozens of film and TV roles include leads opposite Jodie Foster in “The Accused,” as Steve Guttenberg’s partner in “Police Academy 2,” and as Ralph Brentner in the Stephen King mini-series “The Stand.” Joe Spano is playing the role of Jacob Marley for the first time (whom he enjoys calling “the voice of tough love”). For him, working on this adaption has been an exciting opportunity to, “discover the beautiful language of the original novella and remember why A Christmas Carol is an enduring holiday tradition.” Spano has appeared in thirty feature films, including “Hart’s War,” “Primal Fear,” “Apollo 13,” “American Graffiti,” “Hollywoodland,” Tickets for A Christmas Carol range from $35 to $64 (opening night is $95 and includes the post-show reception hosted by Watermark on Main). Tickets for students are $30, and student rush tickets are available for $15. Discounts of 10% to 20% are available for groups of 10 or more, depending on the size of the group. Tickets for A Christmas Carol may be purchased in person through the Rubicon Theatre Company Box Office at the corner of Main and Laurel in Ventura (Laurel entrance and downstairs) or online at www.rubicontheatre.org. To charge by phone, call 805.667.2900. End
Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse
|
|