Charles Dickens’ timeless tale is brought to life by a cast filled with Lyceum favorites.

ARROW ROCK, MO – Plan on celebrating the joys of Christmas in Arrow Rock in December! The Lyceum stage will once again be aglow with good spirits and Christmas tradition as Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, A Christmas Carol, comes musically to life. Only 13 performances, December 12 through December 23.

The Lyceum brings to life the familiar story of a seemingly heartless miser given one last chance at redemption by four visiting ghosts. On Christmas Eve Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes an incredible transformation as he views with new eyes his past, present and the possibilities of the future. A Christmas Carol is now a cherished annual tradition in Arrow Rock and is made possible through the generous support of LammTech of Sedalia.

Lyceum Producing Artistic Director, Quin Gresham, directs his adaptation of the Dickens classic. “Dickens’ timeless and heartwarming message of hope and transformation is certain to fill Lyceum audiences with Christmas spirit,” said Gresham. “With more than a dozen holiday songs, a brilliant cast filled with Lyceum favorites, and the continued work of our resident designers, this year’s production will delight audiences with unexpected surprises and a renewed freshness.” said Gresham.

The role of Ebenezer Scrooge will be played by long-time Lyceum favorite, Don Richard. Don’s many memorable Lyceum roles include Thernardier in Les Misérables (2015), Fagin in Oliver (2016), Maurice in Beauty and the Beast (2017), and Everett in Crazy For You (2018). Broadway credits include the original casts of Jane Eyre, Urinetown, and the 2014 Side Show revival.  National Tours include Sunset Boulevard (with Petula Clark) and Wicked. Ben Gougeon returns to the Lyceum for a second year playing Scrooge’s long suffering clerk, Bob Cratchit as well as Scrooge’s first employer, Mr. Fezziwig. Mr. Gougeon was also seen on the Lyceum stage as Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Other favorite credits include The Visitation (Witness Immersive), Half Moon Bay (Nylon Fusion), The Drunkard (Metropolitan Playhouse), True West, One Flea Spare (Whole Art Theatre), Of Mice and Men (Booth Tarkington). TV: ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,’ ‘The Blacklist,’ ‘Bull,’ ‘Sweetbitter,’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU.’ FILM: The Price, Love Story, Beds.

Robert Elliott returns for his third year to play the dual roles of Jacob Marley and Old Joe, a corrupt henchman of Scrooge. Mr. Elliott wowed Lyceum audiences as Matt Drayton in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (2017) and the domineering Capt. Queeg in The Caine Mutiny (2016). Mr. Elliott’s credits include KC Rep/Missouri Repertory Theatre: Of Mice and Men (Candy), American Buffalo (Donnie), The Tempest, Born Yesterday. Kansas City: Two Jews Walk into a War, Farragut North (Unicorn Theatre). Other regional credits include Indiana Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival), and PCPA Theatrefest. Playing the dual roles of Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs. Dilber for a third year will be Lyceum regular April Woodall. Ms. Woodall was recently seen at the Lyceum as Florence Foster Jenkins in Souvenir and as Miss Andrew, the wicked nanny, in Mary Poppins. Regional credits include Maine State Music Theatre, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Fulton Theatre, American Theatre Group, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Mill Mountain Theater, Little Theatre on the Square, Gateway Playhouse, Bristol Riverside Theatre; Hedgerow Theatre, Flashpoint Theatre, Center City Theatre Works, The Seaport History Museum Theatre, The Eagle Theatre, and The Devon.

Returning to the role she has played in all five years of A Christmas Carol, Laura Sexauer plays the violin-wielding Ghost of Christmas Past; The Lyceum Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director, Quin Gresham joins the cast this year playing the jovial Ghost of Christmas Present; Lyceum favorite Ben Nordstrom returns as Scrooge’s nephew Fred as well as Marley’s younger self; Manon Halliburton returns for her third year as Mrs. Cratchit; Molly McCaskill, previously seen this season in A Comedy of Tenors, plays the dual roles of Scrooge’s first love, Belle, and Fred’s wife, Anne; Lucas Reilly returns to the Lyceum after appearing in The Hound of the Baskervilles to play one of Scrooge’s debtors and Scrooge’s younger self; and Adam McCall, Michael Brennan, Paula Danner, Jonathan Brown, Paula Bear, and Brianna Lopez appear in a variety of roles.

The cast of 26 actors also features a number of young performers from neighboring communities including Cailyn Chaney, Sophia Christy, Lauren Kennon, Gabe Palmer, Cooper Rainwater, Abigail Rainwater, Spencer Rainwater, Blake Strode, Scarlet Strode and Weston Pingrey as Tiny Tim.

The creative team for A Christmas Carol includes Quin Gresham (Director/Adaptor), James Woodland (Resident Musical Director, Composer), Stephanie Berg (Composer), Kristen Nordstrom (Choreographer), Ryan J. Zirngibl (Resident Scenic Designer), Randy B. Winder (Resident Lighting Designer), Kerri S. Packard (Costume Designer), Jon Robertson (Sound Designer), Ivan Dario Cano (Production Stage Manager), Ally Taylor (Assistant Stage Manager), and Makayla Rodgers (Production Assistant).

Single Tickets for A Christmas Carol are priced at $39.00 for adults. Senior, student and children discounts are available as are special group rates. Performances are December 12 – December 23, 2018, Evening performances are at 7pm and matinees are at 2pm. For tickets: www.lyceumtheatre.org, (660) 837-3311 x1, or in person at the Lyceum’s Box Office at 114 High Street, Arrow Rock, MO 65320.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre is a non-profit 501(c)(3), professional theatre located in the unique village of Arrow Rock, Missouri, a 19th century National Historic Landmark. The Lyceum has been entertaining audiences in the heart of Missouri for 58 years producing a variety of musicals, dramas and comedies. Each year, this 416 seat theatre attracts professional talent from across the country to produce an eight show season (June-December). Performers, designers, directors, and technicians take residence in Arrow Rock for five months to bring its patrons Broadway caliber productions throughout the summer.

The Lyceum Theatre is affiliated with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union for Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States, and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.

#  #  #