World Premiere Musical Comes to Theatre Tuscaloosa for the Holidays
Tuscaloosa – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present the world premiere of A DICKENS OF A
CAROL at the Bean-Brown Theatre on the campus of Shelton State Community College,
9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa, December 8 through 17, 2006.
Written by long-time Theatre Tuscaloosa guest choreographer Stephan de
Ghelder and Alabama native Brad Simmons, A DICKENS OF A CAROL is a fullyrealized book musical. The story revolves around a small town dinner theatre
organization's effort to produce a highly original and zany rendition of “A Christmas
Carol” without rehearsal. Faced with the prospect of failing to present its traditional
Christmas offering, the community, in the spirit of "the show must go on," pulls together
and works to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The results are a laugh riot
as complication builds on complication.
Director Paul Looney said, “This show promises to give everyone a new, fresh
look at our holiday rituals that we often take for granted. I think the show celebrates the
meaning of a real Christmas spirit and debunks the cynicism we all encounter in our daily
lives.”
Stephan de Ghelder’s (book and lyrics) career in show business has included
professional work as an actor/singer/dancer/director/choreographer and writer. In these
capacities, he has worked on Broadway, Off-Broadway, national tours, summer stock, in
regional theatres around the country, on stage, in TV, commercials and film here at home
and in Portugal, Holland, Australia, Greece, Spain, Mexico and Egypt. Theatrically, he
has written the musical TROUBADOR, MEN ABOUT TOWN which was produced by
the Asolo, the State theatre of Florida; and the long running, award winning satirical
musical cabaret, LICENSE TO BASH. With Brad Simmons, he wrote an original musical
fantasy, A KISS FROM ALEXANDER which premiered last year at the Bailiwick
Theatre in Chicago and was nominated this year for four “Joe Jefferson Awards”
including “Best New Musical of the Season.”
Brad Simmons, composer, is a 1997 graduate of the University of Montevallo.
His compositional credits include the Homecoming College Night shows REEL TO
REEL, SUMMER WIND, BACK AT HOME, and ALL FOR YOU. His musical
direction credits include the recent Off-Broadway show THE TICKET and over 30 other
regional shows. His acting resume includes the national tour of KISS ME KATE, THE
LOST COLONY with Tony Award winning costumer William Ivey Long, six months of
murder mystery weekends and countless leading characters in shows at Birmingham
Summerfest, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Terrific New Theatre and Birmingham
Festival Theatre. He has performed with the Alabama Symphony and with the
Indianapolis Symphony featuring Grammy Award-winning singer Sandi Patty.
“I am delighted to be joining Theatre Tuscaloosa just as it presents its first ‘world
premiere,’” said Tina Fitch, the organization’s new executive producer. “I know that
Tuscaloosa audiences of all ages are going to love this wacky, mixed-up version of the
holiday classic.”
The cast for the production includes Benjamin Middaugh, Michelle Bunch, Courtney
Allsbrook, Noah Schaztline, Kelley Brown, Jake Boyd, Hillary Burke, Henri Cheramie,
Matthew Cornelson, Sara Cunningham, Eryn Davis, Chris Ingram, Joey Lay, Kailie
Melchior, Charles Prosser, Kathryn Williams, Willie Williams and Wescott Youngson.
In addition to Paul Looney as director and scenic designer, the production staff for
the show includes: Susan Looney, Choreographer; Erin Hisey, Lighting Designer; Leslie
Newberry, Props Designer; Chase Delbridge; Sound Designer; Jonathan Cobb, Stage
Manager; and Russell Frost, Technical Director.
Tickets for A DICKENS OF A CAROL are $22 for adults, $17 for senior citizens
and $10 for students and children. Shelton State student tickets are $6 with a valid
student identification card. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Bean-Brown
Theatre box office or by phone by calling 205-391-2277.
Performances are scheduled for December 8, 9, 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Matinee performances at 2:00 p.m. are scheduled for December 10, 13 and 17. A special
“Pay What You Can” Final Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
This season, Theatre Tuscaloosa will be contributing the income from these performances
to the “Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund” established through the Shelton State
Foundation.
Theatre Tuscaloosa, one of the largest community theatres in the state, works in
partnership with Shelton State Community College to provide quality theatrical
experiences to the citizens of West Alabama through performances, workshops and
classroom instruction. By combining the talent and resources of the non-profit theatre
company with the facilities and administrative support of “Alabama’s Community
College of the Fine Arts,” Theatre Tuscaloosa and Shelton State Community College
have created a partnership model that has enriched the lives of countless Alabamians.