Production of ‘Carol’ to feature song, dance

BANGOR – Music will underscore Ebenezer Scrooge’s annual transformation from miser to benefactor in Penobscot Theatre’s ninth annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” this month at the Bangor Opera House.

Adapted for the stage by Mark Torres, the theater’s producing artistic director, this year’s version of the holiday classic features song and dance, under the musical direction of Philip Burns, to enhance the classic tale.

“For years we have used Dickens’ original language to preserve the literary value and enrich the timeless message of this wonderful holiday story,” explained Torres, who also directs the play.

“The addition of more singing and dancing helps to tell the story even more meaningfully,” he said.

A Bangor native, Burns earned a master’s degree in piano performance at Western Washington University.

His work for Penobscot Theatre Company-Maine Shakespeare Festival includes music cues for “Lend Me a Tenor,” “The Children’s Hour” and “A Christmas Carol.”

He also was the pianist for the theater’s “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Six Women with Brain Death … or Expiring Minds Want to Know.”

Ken Stack, artistic director for Acadia Repertory Theatre on Mount Desert Island, once again appears in his traditional role of Scrooge.

Stack, who is appearing in a production of “A Christmas Carol” for the 19th time, first played Scrooge in 1979 for the Wayside Theatre in Virginia.

Andrew Lyons, a University of Maine graduate student, returns for his fourth portrayal of Bob Cratchitt and his third performance as Scrooge’s deceased partner, Marley.

Other “Carol” veterans are Gretchen Cooper, Tina Cote, Alex Cyr, Nick Cyr, Rich Kimball, Amanda Mooney and Megan Yardley.

Joining them are Rebecca Bailey, Matthew Chabot, Peter McGuire and Jeremy Vroom, who plays Tiny Tim.

The designers for “A Christmas Carol” are Ginger Phelps for costumes and Lynne Chase for lighting.

Phelps, the theater’s resident costume designer, has costumed most of the theater’s plays for eight seasons, including all of the Maine Shakespeare Festival productions.

Chase has designed lighting for five seasons, including last spring’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” “Skylight” and “Coastal Disturbances.”

“‘A Christmas Carol’ reminds us that the spirit of this holiday season can shed light in the darkest of corners,” observed Torres. “In light of recent events, we can all appreciate why Dickens, through Scrooge, urges us to keep Christmas in our hearts throughout the year.”

Production of “A Christmas Carol” is supported by WLBZ 2 as the Penobscot Theatre Company-Maine Shakespeare Festival season sponsor; the Holiday Inn Civic Center and Haverlock, Esty & Curran as production underwriters; and the Bangor Daily News.

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed at the Bangor Opera House at 7 p.m. Dec. 13-16 and 19-23; and 2 p.m. Dec. 15, 16, 22 and 23.

For tickets, contact the PTC box office at 942-3333 or visit the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St., between noon and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.