OXFORD, Miss. – Charles Dickens’ spirited tale of a miser’s redemption at Christmas – remade with jubilant choreography and uplifting music – is coming to the University of Mississippi.
The New York Stage Originals production of “Scrooge in Concert” is set for 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The production features a cast of 30 singers, dancers and musicians and lush Victorian costumes in a holiday show for the entire family.
Tickets range from $30 to $40 for various seating and $10 to $15 for UM students and faculty enrolled in the Cultural Passport program. Tickets are available by calling 662-915-7411, by visiting the UM Box Office in the Student Union from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays or the Ford Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, or by going to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/
“Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and Tiny Tim take center stage in this hearty and heartfelt production, with breathtaking music that neatly underscores the moments of drama as Ebenezer tours his own past, present and future,” said Norm Easterbrook, Ford Center director “As Scrooge renounces his quest and announces his zest for life, the cast sing and dance to the joyous message of the season; that humanity can triumph over money, and goodness can cheer even the sourest soul.”
In connection with the production, four public readings are planned. The first is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 9 in the Batesville Public Library. The others are slated for 5 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Ford Center Rehearsal Hall, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Oxford-Lafayette County Library and 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at Square Books Jr. on the Oxford Square.
“The readings on Dec. 9, 11 and 12 are primarily for children and will feature illustrated Christmas stories,” said Kate Meacham, Ford Center assistant director of marketing. “The Dec. 10 event is actually a reception for adults and will feature readings of traditional holiday short stories as well as submissions from the general public.”
Anyone interested in submitting original stories for the Dec. 10 reception should contact Meacham at kmeacham@olemiss.edu.
Created by New York composer Phillip David Stern, “Scrooge in Concert” had its off-Broadway premiere in 1998 at the Lambs Theater in Manhattan. The musical has garnered positive reviews.
“When ‘Scrooge’ ended, we jumped to our feet to applaud,” wrote Mary Horigan, director of Corporate and Foundation Giving for the Portsmouth (N.J.) Music Hall. “To experience a Broadway-quality performance in this beautiful theater was really magical.”
For more information, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/