Penobscot Theatre staging Dickens, Sedaris

BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre will celebrate the holiday season by staging two Christmas-themed productions. Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” runs Dec. 13 to Dec. 23 and David Sedaris’ “The Santaland Diaries” opens Dec. 15 and runs through Dec. 23. All performances are at the Bangor Opera House.

“We’re giving audiences two terrific shows this season,” said Artistic Director Scott Levy. “‘A Christmas Carol’ will be tradition with a twist while ‘The Santaland Diaries’ will offer all who see it their fill of holiday humor.”

In “A Christmas Carol,” a theater troupe employs magic chests, masks and music to tell the classic tale. The prop boy becomes Tiny Tim and the stage manager becomes Scrooge in this year’s adaptation of the classic Dickens’ story.

“This continues Penobscot Theatre’s commitment to present a different adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ each season,” Levy said.

Ken Stack returns for an annual dose of humbug in his 24th appearance as Ebenezer Scrooge since 1979. Stack, who plays the Stage Manager who becomes Scrooge, is currently artistic director of the Acadia Repertory Theatre on Mount Desert Island.

Alison Cox, who portrayed Catherine in last year’s Penobscot Theatre production of “Spinning Into Butter,” returns for her third time in the show. This will mark her 15th appearance with the Penobscot Theatre since 1995.

Two performers make their debut with the Penobscot Theatre in “A Christmas Carol.” Abby Hayward, who portrays Clown 2, recently returned to her home state after vacationing in Ireland and London.

Debuting as the Leading Lady is Jeri L. Misler, who lives in Winterport with her husband, Scott, and their three daughters.

The younger stars of “A Christmas Carol” include 9-year-old Connor Kenny of Winterport, whose Penobscot Theatre credits include the 2003 production of “The Miracle Worker” and the 2005 staging of “A Christmas Carol.”

Fourth-grader William Huston from Hampden’s Weatherbee School joins the cast as Prop Boy.

Brewer Middle School Assistant Principal Rich Kimball returns for this season’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol.” Also returning are Arthur Morison, Lacey Martin, last seen in last season’s production of “Uncle Vanya,” and Starsha Schiller, a recent graduate of the University of Maine Theater Department. Schiller debuted last November in “The Laramie Project.”

Rounding out the cast of “A Christmas Carol” is Dominick Varney, who holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Maine. Varney, a teacher at the UMaine School of Performing Arts and adviser for the Explorations program, portrays the Director.

The true director of the Penobscot Theatre Company’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is Nathan Halvorson, who directed such recently successful productions as “Spinning Into Butter,” “Uncle Vanya,” “Falsettos,” and Rogers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel.”

This year “A Christmas Carol” appears in repertory with “The Santaland Diaries,” the sometimes subtle and often outrageously hilarious true observations of a Yuletide elf employed at Macy’s.

“Sedaris’ ‘Diaries’ is one of the funniest pieces of writing – holiday or otherwise – I have ever come across,” said Levy, who will play the washed-up, out-of-work actor who lands seasonal employment as Crumpet the Yuletide elf.

David Sedaris’ essays, speaking engagements, and stage and radio productions have earned a place among America’s pre-eminent humor writers and the honor of Time Magazine’s 2001 “Humorist of the Year” award.

“I hope audiences will come out for a few laughs, but leave the kids at home because this one is for mature audiences only,” warned Levy.

The alternate holiday offering of “The Santaland Diaries” will be featured in late night performances.

Set and costume design is by Penobscot Theatre resident designer Lex Liang with lighting by Lynne Chase, who has designed more than 50 shows for Penobscot Theatre Company, including last season’s “A Christmas Carol.”

Sponsors of “A Christmas Carol” are Dead River Company; Haverlock, Estey and Curran; Hollywood Slots; Bangor International Airport; America’s Best Inn; WLBZ News Center 2; Bangor Daily News and Kiss 94.5.

The Penobscot Theatre Company presents “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. each evening from Dec. 13 through Dec. 23, except for Monday, Dec. 18. Matinee performances are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and 23, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17.

“The Santaland Diaries” performs at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16; at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18; at 9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 21 and 22; and 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and 23.

For ticket reservations, telephone the theater box office at 942-3333 or (877) PTC.TIXX, or visit www.penobscottheatre.org for more information.