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PL AYBILL A CHRISTMAS CAROL A CHRISTMAS CAROL CHARLES DICKENS ADAPTED BY MICHAEL SHAMATA }{ approximate running time: 2 hours there will be one 20 minute intermission ARTIST NOTE: KAWA ADA I’m a newbie to this show. There are a few of us this year. I am proud to be part of such a long tradition, with these fine artists. The play never ceases to amaze. There was a new discovery of some hidden profundity within the text almost every day during rehearsals. This is a testament to Michael Shamata, but also to Dickens. As Dickens was often preoccupied with what we, today, would refer to as social justice issues, the play continues to have resonance. Class, equality, family, love, are all central to the work. One other thing has really stood out; it has to do with being Good, and Goodness. Among the characters I play is Mr. Fred – Scrooge’s nephew. Near the beginning, Scrooge rails at Fred for thinking so much of Christmas, scolding him with “much good has it done you!” Fred responds: “There are many things from which I have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say. Christmas among them.” It reminds me that, while I love this time of year for the spirit of giving it brings out in us, to be Good, to do Good deeds is far more meaningful, I feel. Of course, I have hope in the inherent good of human beings. But what does it mean to be consciously good? When I give, do I give with good thoughts behind the gift or, out of a sense of obligation. Are my charitable contributions written out with conscious thought toward those individuals it will help? I think this philosophy is one of the main chambers at the heart of this beautiful play. It’s filled my heart. It is a Good work. It gives Good consciously, and I say: “God bless it!” K AWA ADA in A Christmas Carol A CHRISTMAS CAROL CREATIVE TEAM PRODUC T ION CAS T Michael Shamata Joseph Ziegler Ebenezer Scrooge John Jarvis Jacob Marley Daniel Chapman-Smith Spirit Tangara Jones Spirit Jordan Pettle Bob Cratchit Kawa Ada Mr. Fred Kevin Bundy A Charitable Gentleman Susan Henley Mrs. Dilber Geordie Haley John Jarvis Ghost of Christmas Past Lyon Smith Cody Black Ebenezer as a Boy Eponine Lee Fan Susan Henley Mrs. Bingley Ellora Patnaik Miss Hurst Daniel Chapman-Smith Ali Baba Sarah Miller Kawa Ada Ebenezer as a Young Man Jordan Pettle Dick Wilkins Emily Mewett Kevin Bundy Mr. Fezziwig Susan Henley Mrs. Fezziwig Ellora Patnaik Flora Krystin Pellerin Belle Stephen Guy-McGrath Fiddler John Jarvis Ghost of Christmas Present Ellora Patnaik Mrs. Cratchit Eponine Lee Belinda Cratchit Kaden Boland-Trowbridge Peter Cratchit Eleanor Guy Martha Cratchit Cody Black Tiny Tim Cratchit Ellora Patnaik Mr. Fred’s Wife Stephen Guy-McGrath Mr. Clenham Susan Henley Miss Jane Kevin Bundy Topper Krystin Pellerin Agnes Stephen Guy-McGrath Belle’s Husband John Jarvis Ghost of Christmas Yet-To-Come Jordan Pettle Businessman Kawa Ada Businessman Stephen Guy-McGrath Joe Kawa Ada Debtor Krystin Pellerin Debtor’s Wife Kaden Boland-Trowbridge Boy with Turkey Susan Henley Brigit Director & Adaptor John Ferguson Set & Costume Designer Julie Fox Ghosts Costume Designer Alan Brodie Lighting Designer Composer Sound Coordinator & Designer Monica Dottor Remount Choreographer Timothy French Original Choreographer Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Ian Michael Costello Apprentice Stage Manager Deborah Williams Assistant Director Frances Bundy Child Supervisor Kelly McEvenue Alexander Coach Paul de Jong Dialect Coach SOULPEPPER PRODUC T ION Jacqueline Robertson Cull Head of Hair & Makeup Geoff Hughes Cutter Stefan Dean, Ellie Furtney Sewers Barbara Nowakowski First Hand Isidra Cruz Wigs Running Kaz Maxine Milliner Natalie Swiercz, Emma Zulkoskey Dressers Greg Chambers Props Builder Grace Eakins, Nina Hartt, Mattea Kennedy Scenic Artists Bill Stahl Carpenter A Christmas Carol is staged by arrangement with Catalyst TCM, Toronto, ON. First produced at Theatre New Brunswick, December 1990. jos e p h z i e gl e r . p hoto: s a n dy N ic hol son BACKGROUND NOTES M ichael Shamata’s note-perfect adaptation of this timeless classic is a cherished holiday tradition here at Soulpepper. The book emerged from a time of turbulence for author Charles Dickens. His early celebrity had faded and he was faced with his worst fear: a return to the grinding poverty of his youth. He wrote A Christmas Carol in several sleepless weeks. Things were so desperate that Dickens had to pay for the first printing himself but the gamble paid off. What he called “this humble little book” sold a stunning 6,000 copies in its first week alone and has been a seasonal staple ever since. Some even credit Dickens with helping to revive and strengthen Christmas traditions in England at a time when they were dying out. It might be said that we need this story more than ever. Its passionate sense of social justice and its sensitivity to the human casualties of consumer-driven society resonate powerfully in light of complex new realities around us. Dickens’ artful mix of horror, deep feeling, and wry humour are hugely entertaining but A Christmas Carol has endured because at its core, it is about what matters most: our families and our communities. In charting the transformation of one man, the writer makes a powerful case for a society that values co-operation and connection over isolation and selfinterest. Scrooge’s awakening holds out hope that even the hardest heart can soften, even the most selfish nature has the capacity to look beyond itself. Yes, this story of old ghosts calls us once again. We may know how it ends, but the journey is still worth taking. May God bless us every one. From our family to yours: happy holidays. PL AY WRIGHT BIOGR APHY Charles Dickens was born in 1812. His hardscrabble childhood ended at 12, when his father was thrown into debtor’s prison and Dickens had to work in a rat-infested shoe polish warehouse to support his family. He was a successful journalist by 1835, when his first novel, The Pickwick Papers, catapulted him to wealth and celebrity. A man of epic energy, Dickens wrote articles, gave readings and lectures internationally, campaigned against child labour and slavery (among other causes), wrote a slew of famous novels, and dabbled in theatre. He also found time to father eight children. In 1870, he suffered a massive stroke and died the same day at the age of 58. He is buried in Westminster Abbey ADAP TOR BIOGR APHY Michael Shamata is nationally known for his precise, elegant productions. Soulpepper audiences have loved his nimble adaptations of A Christmas Carol and Great Expectations which he also directed. He is the Artistic Director of the Belfry Theatre in Victoria, B.C. Background Notes by 2016 Soulpepper Resident Artist Paula Wing THANK YOU FOR AT TENDING! 416 866 8666 SOULPEPPER.CA YOUNG CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS TORONTO DISTILLERY HISTORIC DISTRICT FACEBOOK.COM/ SOULPEPPERTHEATRE Soulpepper is an active member of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (pact), the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (tapa) and Theatre Ontario, and engages, under the terms of the Canadian Theatre Agreement, professional artists who are members of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association. Scenic Artists and Set Decorators employed by Soulpepper are represented by Local 828 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. @ SOULPEPPER YOUTUBE.COM/ SOULPEPPERTHEATRE SOUNDCLOUD.COM/ SOULPEPPERTHEATRE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE A GIFT TO REMEMBER: TICKETS TO SOULPEPPER Share the magic of theatre with those you love! Gift certificates are available at all price levels. Visit the Box Office or call 416 866 8666. Happy Holidays from everyone at Soulpepper!