There is nothing in the world as irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor. These words of Charles Dickens ring as true today as when they were written. A Christmas Carol by Dickens will be presented by the Merrimack Repertory Theater (MRT) for all audiences. This all-new take on this holiday classic will be adapted and directed by MRT Executive Artistic Director Nancy L. Donahue, Courtney Sale, and will run from November 30 through December 24.
The play will feature Lowell’s story, including Charles DickensThe 1842 trip to the United States when he visited the Lowell Mills and was enchanted by the writings of the mill girls. Inspired by their stories, echoes of the mill girls’ writing appear in Dickens’ most iconic play. As Sale puts it, “What better theater than ours to build that enduring holiday production.”
The play will feature ten child actors from the Greater Lowell area, as well as a professional cast featuring Karen MacDonald (Founding Company Member of American Repertory TheaterMRT’s The Rise and Fall of Holly Fudge), Tom Corner (Law and Order: SVU on screen, MRT’s The 39 Steps), husband Ken Robinson (Summer: The Donna Musical at Broadway, MRT’s The 39 Steps) and his wife Christine Robinson (Summer: The Donna Musical at Broadway, Back Together Again: The Music of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway at the MRT and the Dorset Theater Festival), as well as Kyosin Kang (American Spies at the Hub Theatre).
The creative team includes Shelley Barish, of UMass Lowell (UML), Scenic Designer (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder for lyrical scene Company of Boston, Young Nerds of Color at the Underground Railway Theatre, Central Square Theatre); Becca Jewett, costume designer (A Delicate Balance at Boston University Theater Studio 210, The Human Comedy at Wimberly Theater); Brian Lilienthal, lighting designer (Woody Sez at the MRT); Rob Witmer, Sound Designer (Best Summer Ever at MRT, Dracula at ACT Theatre); Joel Mercier, musical director (current artistic director of the New Hampshire Theater Factory); Maggie McCloskey, youth cast supervisor, Susan Hudspeth, stage manager; Jordan Moore, assistant manager; Sarah Rachael Katz, production assistant. Student matinees have already started to reach capacity as the holiday season approaches.
For tickets and more information, visit www.mrt.org or call the corporate banking office at 978-654-4678. Tickets start at $15 with 2 for $30 specials available for select shows. MRT’s COVID policy requires all guests to wear masks at all times. The theater does not require a vaccine or proof of testing.
After A Christmas Carol, MRT will continue its 44th season with the East Coast premiere of Letters from Home, written and performed by Kalean Ungfrom January 18 to February 5, 2023, as well as How High the Moon: The Music of Ella Fitzgeraldconceived by Rob Ruggiero and featuring Tina FactoryMay 3-21, 2023.
Other discounts are also available for A Christmas Carol, including discounted $15 student tickets to any show, in person, by phone, or online. For Middlesex Community College (MCC) and UML students, $10 tickets are available with proof of student ID required for ticket collection. Recurring discounts include $5 first night, $10 Lowell night plus discounts for educators, groups, military and more. For more information, visit www.mrt.org/discountsandevents or contact the Enterprise Bank office on [email protected] or 978-654-4678.