PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — The Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol,” is running at the Players’ Ring Theatre for the first three weeks of December.
The Players’ Ring Theatre is located at 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, N.H. Performances take place from Dec. 1 through Dec. 23. Showtimes are: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday shows are at 7 p.m. Show length is 1-hour-and-50 minutes with intermission.
Directed by Debra Martuscello Wiley, this timeless tale has been produced at the Ring for 28 consecutive years.
This season, “A Christmas Carol” will come to life with the adaptation of Tom Frey, a Maine-based Dickens’ scholar who extensively researched the author’s own notes from his live readings in the United Kingdom and the United States. Frey adapted the play in cooperation with Ensemble Players.
“My goal is to attempt to capture Dickens’ authentic voice,” Frey said. “There are countless versions of this story and often each tries to do something ‘with’ the story. I hope to capture its essence, bringing out the same emotional responses one has when reading the book,” he added.
True to the original and very dynamic, this production is made extra special by the punctuation of uplifting a cappella music, as Madrigal singers act as narrators who help Scrooge in his journey to redemption, together with all of your favorite characters and ghosts from the original novella.
The 14-member cast plays multiple roles with Mike Pomp in the iconic role of but the main as Ebenezer Scrooge.
“I feel it is an honor to portray this character that is so well known,” Pomp said. “There are so many actors that have given their interpretation of Scrooge that I only hope that I can bring him to life in another distinct memorable way. There are more layers to the man than one thinks.”
Scrooge’s very name has become synonymous with cold-hearted, miserly behavior, and his actions from the first time we meet him in “A Christmas Carol” do nothing to contradict this idea.
“He is everything opposite from what Christmas spirit is, but the story will show that he once had a great love in his life and lost it because of his greed for money,” Pomp said. “Ironically, it takes supernatural intervention to bring out his goodwill, caring and kindness which is the true meaning of Christmas spirit. Deep down inside (like therapy) Scrooge always had feelings of love, hope and caring.”
David Moore and Maggie O’Neill are music directors for the play; Leslie Gallagher is the choreographer and dialect coach; Bretton Reis is the set and lighting designer; Rae Strand is costume designer; Sammi Soprano is dance captain; Mike Pomp and Debra Martuscello Wiley are sound designers and Elaine St. Jean is stage manager.
Ticket Prices: General admission: $31; students and seniors (65 or older), $28 and children under 12, $18. Group rates are available.
“A Christmas Carol” is sponsored by the Holy Rosary Credit Union.