A Christmas Carol
DALLAS THEATER CENTER
Kevin Moriarty, Executive Director
Jonathan Norton, Interim Artistic Director
PRESENTS
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
By Charles Dickens | Adapted and Originally Directed by Kevin Moriarty
CAST
Christina Austin Lopez, Lucas Bierrenbach, Benjamin Taylor Brown,
Sarah Comley Caldwell, Chloe Cromley. Natassia Dominique, Cody Dry, Kally Duncan, Winter Duncan
Sarah Gay, Emma Gervasi, Victoria N. Gomez, Brian Gonzales, Nicolette James Gosselin. Wyatt Hartz, Sam Henderson, Bob Hess, Ivan Jasso,
Skylar Johnson, Michael Leadbetter. Gena Loe, Vivian Martin, Olivia Meredith, Liz Mikel, Randy Pearlman, Juniper Pirro, Rachel Nicole Poole, Luna Echo Rodriguez, Reece Turley, Sally Nystuen Vahle, Esteban Vilchez
Zachary J. Willis
SCENIC DESIGN
Beowulf Boritt
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER
Leah Fitzgerald*
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Ashley Oliver
COSTUME DESIGN
Jen Caprio
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS
Emily Mordecai
Malaisian Ann Parker
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION
Andrew J. Brown
LIGHTING DESIGN
Jeff Croiter
SOUND DESIGN
Broken Chord
HAIR, WIG & MAKEUP DESIGN
Valerie Gladstone
CASTING
Eisenberg Casting
Daryl Eisenberg, CSA
Musical Direction By
Cody Dry
Original Choreography By
Joel Ferrell
Rehearsal Choreography By
Christina Austin Lopez
Directed By
Alex Organ+
My thoughts on Dallas Theater Center’s A Christmas Carol or…the joy returns.
It’s back, the one we all look forward to every year at this time. Dallas Theater Center’s annual production of the Charles Dickens classic Christmas tale is always a grand, heartwarming event guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a lump in your throat.
There is something so comforting about the familiarity of it all. Beowulf Boritt’s industrial, quasi-steampunk set continues to impress and it’s a thrill to watch cast members and scenery rise and fall through the stage floor. Jeff Croiter’s lighting is gorgeous as ever as are Jen Caprio’s period perfect costumes.
Music Director Cody Dry ensures the cast sounds marvelous as they sing carols with great enthusiasm. Joel Ferrell's choreography and the coordination of movements for such a large ensemble are exceptional.
Many of your DTC favorites from the Brierley Resident Acting Company are back. Christina Austin Lopez is Belle and Lucy. Liz Mikel is the Charitable Woman and Mrs. Fezziwig. Sally Nystuen Vahle is Marley and Old Joe. Esteban Vilchez is Young Scrooge and Zacharay J. Willis is Scrooge’s nephew Fred. Splendid actors all.
Returning are the excellent seasoned performers: Ivan Jasso as Bob Cratchit, Rachel Nicole Poole as Martha Cratchit, Randy Pearlman in the dual roles of the Charitable Man and Mr. Fezziwig, Natassia Dominique as Young Marley and the Laundress, Sarah Gay as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Skylar Johnson as Peter Cratchit.
Making a memorable debut in the 2024 Christmas Carol production (though they might have appeared in last year's show, which I missed due to street closures for a race) are Kally Duncan as Mrs. Dilbert, Emma Gervasi in the ensemble and as a Party Guest, and Wyatt Hartz portraying Young Scrooge and the Turkey Boy.
There are several other cast members who give praiseworthy performances that I do not have room to list here but whose names can be found in the cast list.
This year brings fresh changes with Brierley member Alex Organ stepping in as director. He preserves the best of the past while introducing some new twists and surprises, which I'll leave for you to discover. Additionally, there's a distinct atmosphere this time around that eludes description. My companion mentioned that this rendition of A Christmas Carol seemed more spiritual than previous ones, and that observation isn't just a play on words about the three spirits.
This year's notable change is Bob Hess taking on the role of Scrooge. Hess, a Brierley member, is an actor renowned for portraying characters with authenticity, whether in comedic or dramatic parts. In this role, which allows him to oscillate between being naughty and nice, as well as hateful and repentant, Hess truly shines. Infusing an iconic character with new depth is a challenging task, yet Hess accomplishes just that. The genuine believability Hess imbues in Scrooge distinguishes his portrayal. Hess's Scrooge emerges as a man eternally transformed.
DTC's 2024 production of A Christmas Carol resonates uniquely this year. Our country, and indeed the world, frequently seems like a place where hate is celebrated, and kindness is belittled. But for the ninety marvelous minutes of this play, love, peace, and kindness reign. Tidings of comfort and joy from Dallas Theater Center.
