“One of the most popular shows in North Carolina history” celebrates its 35th year
Evenings at Theatre In the Park will be full of music and merriment as the cast of A Christmas Carol have begun rehearsals at the historic theatre located in Pullen Park in downtown Raleigh. This year marks the 35th anniversary of Ira David Wood III’s original musical comedy adaptation of Charles Dickens’ legendary story. The cast for 2009 is made up of 76 volunteers ranging in age from 5 to 70 and include a number of familiar faces such as David Henderson, Mike Raab, Andrea Schulz Twiss, Heather Shinpaugh, Sarah Simons, and Ira David Wood IV to name a few who will perform alongside new local talent that have joined the cast for the first time. David Moore, who will also return to once again play Bob Cratchit said, “it wouldn’t be Christmas in my family without A Christmas Carol.” Included in the cast are 17 “Littles” who have been cast to fill the roles of the children including Bryant Prince as Tiny Tim, and Kelsey Healey, who is returning as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Theatre In The Park’s Office Manager Erin West joins this year’s production team as Assistant Stage Manager and will be working with returning production team members Brijet Whitney (Choreographer), Diane Petteway (Pianist), Christine Rapp (Stage Manager), Tim Ruffin (Technical Director) and Ira David Wood III (Writer/Director/Actor).
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the show’s first tour to France in 1989, a select group of over 50 cast, crew and band members will travel to Raleigh’s sister city of Compiègne, France with another 40 or more patrons and friends of the theatre, to perform a modified version of A Christmas Carol for four shows on November 26th & 27th. Interesting to note is that one of the shows is already sold out. If you are interested in supporting your local community overseas and attending the performance of A Christmas Carol in France, please contact Kim Kleinhans at Maupin Travel 919-301-0008 for a selection of travel packages.
The 35th annual A Christmas Carol will perform at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts Memorial Auditorium December 8-16, 2009. Tickets go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster (800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com) beginning Sunday, October 18th, and at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts Memorial Auditorium Box Office beginning Monday, October 19th. Due to the show’s overwhelming popularity, an additional performance has been added on Sunday, December 13th at 7:00PM.
For more information on A Christmas Carol and current fundraising activities to help support the theatre’s international tour to France, visit www.theatreinthepark.com or call 919-831-6058.
About Theatre In The Park
Theatre In The Park, currently celebrating its 62nd season, is located in the northern end of Raleigh’s scenic Pullen Park adjacent to North Carolina State University. The theatre is acclaimed for its many outstanding theatrical achievements. Each season Theatre In The Park presents an exceptional series of productions including the very best in comedy, original musicals, Shakespeare, and contemporary drama. Theatre In The Park is North Carolina’s largest non-profit performing Arts organizations and is second in the region only to the celebrated Actor’s Theatre of Louisville in original works premiered. Theatre In The Park truly offers something for everyone.
A Christmas Carol 2009, Cast Members
Name Character Played Hometown
Kathleen Black Laura Cary
Scottie Black Townsperson Raleigh
Ricky Blalock Townsperson Willow Spring
Dempsey Bond Ghostie Singer Cary
Chris Coby Townsperson Wake Forest
Rita Coby Townsperson Wake Forest
Summer Coby Townsperson Wake Forest
Janis Coville Townsperson Cary
Tyler Crocker Townsperson Benson
Toni Gadsden Townsperson Raleigh
Emily Gardenhire Dancer Cary
Christine Gardenhire Dancer Cary
Gary Gardenhire Townsperson Cary
Patty Gardenhire Townsperson Cary
Grace Goetz Townsperson Cary
Hannah Goetz Townsperson Cary
Morgan Goetz Townsperson Cary
Morgan Goodman Townsperson Raleigh
Bob Harris Townsperson Raleigh
Holly Harris Townsperson Raleigh
Kelsey Healey Christmas Past Raleigh
David Henderson Jacob Marley Raleigh
Bob Jensen Townsperson Raleigh
Betsy Jones Townsperson Willow Spring
Tessa Joseph Dancer Holly Springs
Alison Lawrence Townsperson Raleigh
Lisa Lowrance Townsperson Raleigh
Wilder Lowrance Townsperson Raleigh
Kayla Martin Martha Cratchit Raleigh
Chris Maxwell Dancer Morrisville
Patty Mercer Townsperson Raleigh
Peter Mercer Peter Cratchit Raleigh
David Moore Bob Cratchit Cary
Michael Murray Townsperson Raleigh
Mark Olexik Townsperson Apex
Craig Osterhus Lamplighter Raleigh
Jennifer Osterhus Belinda Cratchit Raleigh
Christie Osterhus Dancer Raleigh
Rachel Osterhus Dancer Raleigh
Mason Park Townsperson Raleigh
Bryant Prince Tiny Tim Cratchit Holly Springs
Melanie Prince Mrs. Cratchit Holly Springs
Peyton Prince Townsperson Holly Springs
Mike Raab Christmas Future Fuquay-Varina
Fiona Raab Townsperson Fuquay-Varina
Caitlin Raab Townsperson Fuquay-Varina
Walker Ramseur Townsperson Raleigh
Rachel Redwine Dancer Cary
JR Richardson Townsperson Raleigh
Tyler Rollins Townsperson Fuquay-Varina
Andrea Schulz Twiss Townsperson Cary
John Shearer Christmas Present Chapel Hill
Heather Shinpaugh Mrs. Fezziwig Cary
Sarah Simons Niece Raleigh
Brent Simpson Mr. Fezziwig Raleigh
Cedric Stapleton Young Scrooge Raleigh
Kaitlin Szulik Dancer Raleigh
Alayah Tedder Townsperson Durham
Frank Theriault Christmas Present Elf Willow Spring
Colleen Theriault Townsperson Willow Spring
Tippy Thornton Townsperson Knightdale
Ella Reeves Vaughan Townsperson Raleigh
Brandon Veal Townsperson Raleigh
Caleb Veal Townsperson Raleigh
Jade Watson Ghostie Singer Wendell
Mackenzie Webel Townsperson Chapel Hill
Hannah Whitney Townsperson Raleigh
Ranele Winter Townsperson Fuquay-Varina
Ira David Wood III Ebenezer Scrooge Raleigh
Ira David Wood IV Nephew Raleigh
Henry Young Townsperson Raleigh
Janie Young Townsperson Raleigh
Matt Zimmerman Townsperson Cary
Vanessa Zitzmann Townsperson Benson
