Providing a fresh take on Dickens’s timeless “A Christmas Carol” is Charles Evered’s “An Actor’s Carol.” It tells the tale Hugh Pendleton, an actor drained of artistic passion or love for the theatre after having played the character of Scrooge one too many times. Pendleton encounters three ghosts of his own. A cast of four plays 17 characters in this hilarious new look at a classic that reminds us that the most jaded among us can find magic in the holiday season – and in the theater as well.
Directing this stellar cast is award-winning director, producer, actor and producing artistic director of Cape May Stage, Roy Steinberg. Roy has directed classical and contemporary plays as well as world premieres all over the United States.
Playing Hugh Pendleton, a weary and cynical actor who has played the role of Scrooge too many times, is John Little. John is delighted to appear at Cape May Stage. His recent work includes the National Tour of the Roundabout Theatre’s “Cabaret” and “Ragtime” at Barrington Stage.
Making her Cape May Stage debut is Kirsten Hopkins. Kirsten will be performing the role of Player 1. But this role is not for the weak of heart, as Kirsten will be playing six completely different roles including the Stage Manager of Christmas Past. Kirsten is a proud member of the NYC artist collective The Playground Experiment, which is dedicated to fostering new theater work. Her New York credits include “The Last Cyclist,” “Your Boyfriend May Be Imaginary” and “Lonesome Winter.”
Performing as George the adoring nephew, the spicy Usher of Christmas Past, the Critic of Christmas Yet To Come and others is Kevin Cristaldi. Kevin has appeared in “Numb3rs,” “Medium,” “The Unit,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Criminal Minds” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Rounding out the cast is Karack Osborn, playing a variety of comedic roles. Karack was the recipient of the 2015 Mawson Award and was nominated for a Toronto Theatre Award for his work at the Stratford Festival. Karack is best known for his roles in “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Anthony and Cleopatra” and his recent portrayal of Sam Phillips in “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company.
After premiering in 2015 in Palm Springs, “An Actor’s Carol,” won the Outstanding Original Writing Award in the staged reading category of the Desert Theatre League Awards. Award-winning playwright Charles Evered is a graduate of Yale School of Drama and a former naval officer. He has written screenplays for major studios and directed two features of his own. Evered also wrote for the hit TV show “Monk.” Currently, he is Professor of Playwriting at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) where he served as the department’s first artistic director.
Don’t miss this twist on a holiday classic, playing Nov. 14-Dec. 30, Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Join us for a special opening night Pre-Celebration at 6 p.m. in the Robert Shackleton Playhouse Courtyard with food provided by Eat Well and a cash bar. Following the performance will be an after-party at Fins Bar & Grille.
For more information, call (609) 770-8311 or visit www.capemaystage.org. For this holiday season give the gift of theatre with 2019 memberships and packages!