(Photo courtesy of: MegPix/Meghan Moore) “Karen MacDonald, Christina Acosta Robinson, and Ken Robinson in A Christmas Carol.”
Lynn Sullivan
Merrimack Repertory Theater
“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” These are the famous words of Charles Dickens and at the heart of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s (MRT) beloved retelling of the classic A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Courtney Sale. This timeless tale of redemption features new songs, scenes, and surprises that opens for the holiday season at the Nancy L. Donahue Theatre at Liberty Hall on November 29th through December 24th.
This unique rendition of the classic holiday tale pulls inspiration from Dickens’ enchantment of the Lowell Mill Girls’ writing during his tour of America in 1842. Sale states, “Their ideas and themes appear in Dickens’ most famous story, and we’re fortunate there is considerable scholarship illuminating those connections. As such, what better theatre than ours to build this lasting holiday production!” Currently serving as MRT’s Nancy L. Donahue Executive Artistic Director, Sale joined the company in March 2020 to direct The 39 Steps, The Rise and Fall of Holly Fudge, A Woman of the World, and Wild Horses. Prior to her time at MRT, Sale also served as the Artistic Director of the Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT), the nation’s leading generator of new work for young audiences.
This production celebrates sublime talents. Returning as the iconic Scrooge is Karen MacDonald (MRT’s Gaslight and The Rise and Fall of Holly Fudge, Founding Company Member of the American Repertory Theatre), and joining her are Tom Coiner (MRT’s Gaslight and The 39 Steps, Law & Order SVU), Kristin Yancy (MRT’s Gaslight, Broadway’s The Cher Show), Chris Thorn (Broadway’s Death of a Salesman & Bernhardt/Hamlet, Alexis Bronkovic (MRT’s Macbeth & Silent Sky), and 10 local youth actors. The production’s design team includes: Shelley Barish for scenic design (Lyric Stage Company’s The Wolves, Greater Boston Stage Company’s 39 Steps, and UMass Lowell’s Theatre Arts Associate Professor), Becca Jewett for costume design (MRT’s Costume Shop Manager, SpeakEasy Stage’s The Sound Inside), Brian Lilienthal for Lighting Design (MRT’s Silent Sky, Actors Theatre of Louisville), and Rob Witmer for Composing and Sound Design (MRT’s Best Summer Ever, Seattle Opera’s Orfeo et Euridice).
Tickets for A Christmas Carol are available now on mrt.org, as well as by contacting the Enterprise Bank Office at 978-654-4678 or box_office@mrt.org. Other discounts are also available for A Christmas Carol, including student discount ticket prices of $15 to any show, in person, by phone, or online. For Middlesex Community College (MCC) and UML students, $10 tickets are available with Student ID proof required for ticket pickup. Recurring discounts include the $5 first night, $10 Lowell night as well as Educator, Group, Military discounts, and much more. For further information, visit www.mrt.org/discountsandevents or contact the Enterprise Bank Office.
