FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
November 13, 2013
Randall Hartzog
Theatre Memphis, Director of Marketing and Communications
rhartzog@theatrememphis.org
901.682.8601
A Very Barry Christmas at Theatre Memphis
Memphis, TN – A Christmas Carol at Theatre Memphis will open December 6, 2013, with a tribute gala event honoring
Barry Fuller. Fuller, who was the first actor to portray Ebenezer Scrooge in the original Theatre Memphis production, will
be reprising the role this year for his 13th and last time at Theatre Memphis. A Christmas Carol returns to Theatre
Memphis this year for the 36th consecutive year and runs through December 23 on the Lohrey Stage with weekend
evening shows and matinees and some weeknight performances. Weekday school matinee performances (a truncated
version without Fuller) are on the Lohrey Stage December 4 – December 20, 2013 (2 performances per day at 9:30am
and 11am).
“Barry set the bar 36 years ago when he won the hearts of our patrons as old Scrooge, even at a relatively young age,”
says Debbie Litch, Executive Producer of Theatre Memphis. “With him stepping away from this role after playing it so
many times (and directing it once), we wanted to honor him in the most appropriate fashion.” The gala evening will consist
of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres prior to the opening performance with libations and desserts following along with a chance
to meet and greet Fuller. There will be a silent auction held throughout the evening to benefit the artistic programs at
Theatre Memphis along with special displays and acknowledgements for Fuller.
As far as Fuller is concerned, the ghosts of the Past, Present and Future are not haunting him at all. “It has been a
marvelous run and I am passing the baton. I have been so fortunate to have been touched by the individuals and families
that formed the Christmas Carol company each year. I’ve made some amazing friends. And I am so touched that Theatre
Memphis is making this year so special.”
Though claiming to not be a leading man, as the lead character Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, he brings
character work to the forefront. He has played Scrooge over the course of four decades to the delight of the audiences.
Known for his cameo and character roles, several have earned him Ostrander Awards which are given in honor of
theatrical excellence each year in Memphis. In 1997 he was awarded the Eugart Yerian Lifetime Achievement Award in
Memphis Theatre at the Ostranders’ ceremony. Lightheartedly he questions, “Isn’t it about time for another one?”
In 2006 in Cats at Theatre Memphis he garnered another Ostrander award for Best Cameo Performance. His heartwrenching portrayal of Gus the Theatre Cat won over the audience night after night. His comedic timing in the Joseph
and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (also at TM) made the production have real heart according to the then Theatre
Memphis Artistic Director, Kell Christie. “Barry’s energy is so light and accessible. He brings a consummate
professionalism to everything he does.” Most recently, Fuller (who recently celebrated his 85th birthday) played a cameo
as a medical specimen in the Theatre Memphis production of Young Frankenstein and literally brought the house down
with his antics.
The body of work that Fuller has created in Memphis alone began in 1958 when he came to Memphis to participate in the
summer season of the newly formed Front Street Theatre. That season was followed by a return to his native Australia for
two years before he came back to Front Street for a long run of performing from 1960 to 1966. In those years he worked
with budding Broadway stars such as George Hearn, Dixie Carter, Polly Holliday, Robert Foxworth, Karen Grassle, Dana
Ivey and Paxton Whitehead. But it was in the 1970’s when he started his tenure as the ultimate Ebenezer Scrooge at
Theatre Memphis and began playing the role that is now legend to him and to the theater. Over the years he also laid his
capable directing hands on Theatre Memphis productions of The Robber Bridegroom, Mame and Company, to name a
few.
Litch is insistent that the gala event and announced end to Fuller’s Scrooge is not a retirement for Fuller. A still very active
participant in the Memphis theater community, Fuller agrees but is humble concerning his roles on stage and his role in
the community. Never claiming the limelight, though, he would be hard pressed to contest that this particular year at
Theatre Memphis is a spotlight focused on his “holiday” career. “I am truly blessed, “ he says. Litch paraphrases Charles
Dickens, “ Barry has blessed US, every one.”
TITLE: A Christmas Carol
BASED ON THE NOVEL BY: Charles Dickens
DIRECTOR: Jason Spitzer
VENUE AND ADDRESS: Theatre Memphis on the Lohrey Stage, 630 Perkins Ext, Memphis, TN, 38117
RUN DATES: December 6 - 23, 2013
Friday, December 6 – Special benefit performance honoring Barry Fuller as the perennial Scrooge
$100 per person, Cocktail Buffet/Performance/Dessert Bar/Silent Auction all included
6pm – 9.30pm
TIMES OF SHOWS: December 7 – 23
Evening performances @ 7pm December 7,12,13,14,15,17,18,19,20,21,22
Saturday and Sunday matinees @ 3pm December 8,14,15,21,22
TICKETS: $30 adults, $15 students with valid ID, $10 children under 12
BOX OFFICE: 901.682.8323
WEB: www.theatrememphis.org
PRESENTING SPONSOR: AutoZone/ArtsZone
SPONSORED BY: Dina & Brad Martin and Davey Tree Expert Company
Production graphic attached
Production photos available 12/03/13.
Theatre Memphis is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization located at 630 Perkins Extended (corner of Perkins Extended
and Southern) and is a community theatre whose mission is to provide outstanding theatrical experiences to enrich the
lives of our audiences and participants.
Theatre Memphis receives season sponsorship and funding from: