A Christmas Carol
Adaptation & Lyrics by Sean Murray
Original Score by Billy Thompson
Directed by Sean Murray
Low-priced Previews Nov 27 - Nov 30, 2019
Cygnet’s holiday smash hit is back for its sixth season! Bring the family back to enjoy the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption. This imaginative production features original music, creative stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
“It’s not Christmas without ‘A Christmas Carol’ and this is the best one around.’ – SDGLN.com
Run Time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission
Advisories: Family Friendly (Children must be at least 5 years old)
Cast
Megan CarmitchelMegan Carmitchel
Christmas Past, Belle, Egbert Cratchit, Martha Cratchit, and other rolesMegan is so happy to be back with the Christmas Carol family this season! She was last seen here this summer in Rock of Ages and previously in A Little Night Music. Other recent credits include- Lamb’s Players Theatre: Persuasion, Big Fish, OZ (world premiere), You Can’t Take it With You, Quilters, and Fiddler on the Roof. Diversionary Theatre: Significant Other, A New Brain, and Pippin. The Old Globe: The Last Goodbye (world premiere) and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. La Jolla Playhouse:Weatherman (reading). San Diego Repertory Theatre:The Who’s Tommy. Welk Resort Theatre: South Pacific and Stepping Out. Megan has also music directed several shows at LEGOLAND, CA. She attended San Francisco State University where she studied vocal performance and theatre.
Charles Evans, JrCharles Evans, Jr
Young Scrooge, Peter Cratchit, and other rolesThis will be Charles’ sixth year with A Christmas Carol, and he is delighted to again be sharing this story of redemption and generosity with San Diego! Charles is a Resident Artist with Cygnet Theatre (The Vortex, Hay Fever, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening) and was most recently seen as the scheming Mordred in Cygnet’s concert reading of Camelot. This summer he will be reprising his role as country legend Johnny Cash in Lamb’s Players Theatre’s production of Million Dollar Quartet. Other San Diego credits include work with La Jolla Playhouse, Ion Theatre, New Village Arts and San Diego Repertory Theatre. Charles is a BFA theatre graduate of Stephens College for Women, a member of Actors’ Equity, and proud husband to Caitie.
Melissa FernandesMelissa Fernandes
Mrs. Cratchit, Mrs. Dilbur, and other rolesCygnet (Resident Artist): On The 20th Century, Gypsy, The Whale, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors (nominee, San Diego Critics Circle), Cabaret (nominee, SDCC), A Little Night Music, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. San Diego Theatre (select): ion Theatre: Sunday in the Park with George(nominee, SDCC); New Village Arts: Avenue Q, God of Carnage, Big River, Same Time, Next Year, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC), The Seven Year Itch, The Full Monty. Moonlight Theatre: Sondheim on Sondheim (nominee, SDCC). Moxie Theatre: Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky. Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show. North Coast Rep: Dancing at Lughnasa. Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Sierra Rep); Harmony, The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse) Education: MFA- Musical Theatre, SDSU. San Diego Critics Circle, Female Actor of the Year, 2016. Upcoming: Smokey Joe’s Cafe- New Village Arts.
Megan Carmitchel
Megan is so happy to be back with the Christmas Carol family this season! She was last seen here this summer in Rock of Ages and previously in A Little Night Music. Other recent credits include- Lamb’s Players Theatre: Persuasion, Big Fish, OZ (world premiere), You Can’t Take it With You, Quilters, and Fiddler on the Roof. Diversionary Theatre: Significant Other, A New Brain, and Pippin. The Old Globe: The Last Goodbye (world premiere) and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. La Jolla Playhouse:Weatherman (reading). San Diego Repertory Theatre:The Who’s Tommy. Welk Resort Theatre: South Pacific and Stepping Out. Megan has also music directed several shows at LEGOLAND, CA. She attended San Francisco State University where she studied vocal performance and theatre.
Charles Evans, Jr
This will be Charles’ sixth year with A Christmas Carol, and he is delighted to again be sharing this story of redemption and generosity with San Diego! Charles is a Resident Artist with Cygnet Theatre (The Vortex, Hay Fever, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Spring Awakening) and was most recently seen as the scheming Mordred in Cygnet’s concert reading of Camelot. This summer he will be reprising his role as country legend Johnny Cash in Lamb’s Players Theatre’s production of Million Dollar Quartet. Other San Diego credits include work with La Jolla Playhouse, Ion Theatre, New Village Arts and San Diego Repertory Theatre. Charles is a BFA theatre graduate of Stephens College for Women, a member of Actors’ Equity, and proud husband to Caitie.
Melissa Fernandes
Cygnet (Resident Artist): On The 20th Century, Gypsy, The Whale, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors (nominee, San Diego Critics Circle), Cabaret (nominee, SDCC), A Little Night Music, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. San Diego Theatre (select): ion Theatre: Sunday in the Park with George(nominee, SDCC); New Village Arts: Avenue Q, God of Carnage, Big River, Same Time, Next Year, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC), The Seven Year Itch, The Full Monty. Moonlight Theatre: Sondheim on Sondheim (nominee, SDCC). Moxie Theatre: Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky. Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show. North Coast Rep: Dancing at Lughnasa. Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Sierra Rep); Harmony, The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse) Education: MFA- Musical Theatre, SDSU. San Diego Critics Circle, Female Actor of the Year, 2016. Upcoming: Smokey Joe’s Cafe- New Village Arts.
Melinda GilbMelinda Gilb
Mrs. Fezziwig, Belinda Cratchit, and other rolesSingin’ in the Rain (Original Broadway cast); Back to Bacharach and David (Original Off-Broadway cast); Suds (Original cast and co-author); The Pirates of Penzance (1st National tour); Original Mama Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Suds and The Robber Bridegroom (Old Globe); Walter Cronkite is Dead, Violet, Miss Witherspoon, Always Patsy Cline (San Diego Rep), Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Craig Noel Award-Best Actress); Hello Dolly, Miss, Annie, (Starlight Theatre); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Smell of The Kill, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Rep); Animal Crackers, On the 20th Century, Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Dirty Blonde, The Receptionist (Cygnet Theatre); She-Rantulas From Outer Space in 3-D (Diversionary Theatre); The Melinda and Steve Show (with Steve Gunderson in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego). At On Stage Playhouse directed Always Patsy Cline. Directed Suds the Rocking 60’s Musical Soap Opera at the ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival in Vermont.
David McBeanDavid McBean
Marley, Christmas Present, and other rolesDavid McBean was last seen at Cygnet in “A Christmas Carol”. Recent credits include: “Ring Round the Moon” (Joshua) at Lamb’s Players, “All In The Timing” (Ensemble), and “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum” (Marcus Lycus) at North Coast Rep. His next project will be right here at Cygnet as Albin in “La Cage Aux Folles”. David is an instructor at the Coronado School of the Arts and the music director for Kensington Community Church. “Love and gratitude to our Christmas Carol family!”
Patrick McBridePatrick McBride
Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig, and other rolesMerry Christmas, again! Patrick is thrilled to be working once more with everyone at Cygnet. Recent acting credits include Intrepid’s School Tour, Captain John Donovan in Hope (Talent to a Muse,) Borachio in Much Ado about Nothing (Intrepid,) Bishop How/ Ensemble in The Elephant Man (Backyard Renaissance/ O.T.C.,) and Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig/ Old Joe/Etc. in A Christmas Carol (Cygnet.) Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Bullshot Crummund in Bullshot Crummund (PCPA Theaterfest,) Laurence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and James Joyce in Travesties. Patrick has also taught theatre for over 25 years and his teaching style fosters a growth mindset, and combines his passion for classical plays with playful improv and creative writing. He is excited about playing Tilden in Buried Child this winter with the Casual Company.
Melinda Gilb
Singin’ in the Rain (Original Broadway cast); Back to Bacharach and David (Original Off-Broadway cast); Suds (Original cast and co-author); The Pirates of Penzance (1st National tour); Original Mama Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Suds and The Robber Bridegroom (Old Globe); Walter Cronkite is Dead, Violet, Miss Witherspoon, Always Patsy Cline (San Diego Rep), Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Craig Noel Award-Best Actress); Hello Dolly, Miss, Annie, (Starlight Theatre); A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Smell of The Kill, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Rep); Animal Crackers, On the 20th Century, Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Dirty Blonde, The Receptionist (Cygnet Theatre); She-Rantulas From Outer Space in 3-D (Diversionary Theatre); The Melinda and Steve Show (with Steve Gunderson in New York, Los Angeles and San Diego). At On Stage Playhouse directed Always Patsy Cline. Directed Suds the Rocking 60’s Musical Soap Opera at the ArtisTree Music Theatre Festival in Vermont.
David McBean
David McBean was last seen at Cygnet in “A Christmas Carol”. Recent credits include: “Ring Round the Moon” (Joshua) at Lamb’s Players, “All In The Timing” (Ensemble), and “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to The Forum” (Marcus Lycus) at North Coast Rep. His next project will be right here at Cygnet as Albin in “La Cage Aux Folles”. David is an instructor at the Coronado School of the Arts and the music director for Kensington Community Church. “Love and gratitude to our Christmas Carol family!”
Patrick McBride
Merry Christmas, again! Patrick is thrilled to be working once more with everyone at Cygnet. Recent acting credits include Intrepid’s School Tour, Captain John Donovan in Hope (Talent to a Muse,) Borachio in Much Ado about Nothing (Intrepid,) Bishop How/ Ensemble in The Elephant Man (Backyard Renaissance/ O.T.C.,) and Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig/ Old Joe/Etc. in A Christmas Carol (Cygnet.) Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Bullshot Crummund in Bullshot Crummund (PCPA Theaterfest,) Laurence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and James Joyce in Travesties. Patrick has also taught theatre for over 25 years and his teaching style fosters a growth mindset, and combines his passion for classical plays with playful improv and creative writing. He is excited about playing Tilden in Buried Child this winter with the Casual Company.
Tom StephensonTom Stephenson
Ebenezer ScroogeTom is a 40 year veteran of the stage. He trained in Great Britain at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, in Michigan. At Cygnet Theatre Company he has been seen in over 15 productions notably as Hector in The History Boys and Joe Ryan in When the Rain Stops Falling. He also performs with Intrepid Theatre Company where he was recently seen as the Colonel in Father Comes Home from the Wars. Tom was awarded Actor of the Year in 2014, by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle.
Tom Stephenson
Tom is a 40 year veteran of the stage. He trained in Great Britain at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, in Michigan. At Cygnet Theatre Company he has been seen in over 15 productions notably as Hector in The History Boys and Joe Ryan in When the Rain Stops Falling. He also performs with Intrepid Theatre Company where he was recently seen as the Colonel in Father Comes Home from the Wars. Tom was awarded Actor of the Year in 2014, by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle.
Creative Team
Katie Whalley Banville
Previously at Cygnet: Rock of Ages, Spamalot, A Christmas Carol (Choreographer), Spring Awakening (Asst. Choreographer), Gypsy (June / Asst. Choreographer), Company (April / Asst. Choreographer), My Fair Lady (Ensemble / Asst. Choreographer), Man of La Mancha, Parade, Cabaret. Regional choreography credits: San Diego Rep – Beachtown; Backyard Renaissance – Tarrytown (World Premiere), Gutenberg! The Musical!; San Diego State University – Company; Grossmont College – Lucky Stiff, Cinderella, 80 Days; The Old Globe –A Doll’s House (Movement Coordinator). MFA Musical Theatre, San Diego State University; BFA, Illinois Wesleyan University. www.katiebanville.com
Peter Herman
Cygnet Theatre: Costumes and Wig/Makeup Design for Shakespeare’s R&J, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Wigs/Makeup Design for The Virgin Trial, Rock of Ages, Pride and Prejudice, Angels in America, Marie and Rosetta, HIR, Spamalot, The Last Wife, Shockheaded Peter, On the 20th Century, Bad Jews, Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, Gypsy, Stupid F**king Bird, The Rocky Horror Show, When the Rain Stops Falling, Hay Fever, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Sons of the Prophet, Pageant, Fool for Love, True West, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Spring Awakening, Maple and Vine, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, A Christmas Carol, Gem of the Ocean, Mistakes Were Made, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, A Behanding in Spokane, The Glass Menagerie, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd. Elsewhere: Peter has designed hair and wigs for over 300 productions, including the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, San Diego Opera and Disneyland. Peter currently teaches wig and makeup at SDSU.
Andrew Hull
Cygnet Theatre: Stupid Fucking Bird, The Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Carol, The Motherfucker with the Hat, Gem of the Ocean, The Glass Menagerie, Private Lives, Bed and Sofa, and The History Boys. Elsewhere: Hello Dolly (Arrowrock Lyceum Theater), Hay Fever (Black Hills Playhouse), Into The Woods, The Good Person of Szechwan, Desire Under the Elms (San Diego State University), Night of the Iguana, The Man who Came to Dinner, and A Piece of my Heart (Webster University). Andrew is currently working as a Set Designer for TV and film in Los Angeles. He has worked on such productions as Nocturnal Animals, Bright, Straight Outta Compton, Insecure, and Mad Men. Andrew loves spending time in the garden with his family.
Matt Lescault-Wood
Matt Lescault-Wood is excited to be back at Cygnet. Previous credits include; Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, A Behanding In Spokane, Man of La Mancha, Assassins, Company, Spring Awakening, Pageant, Sons of the Prophet, My Fair Lady, Shockheaded Peter, Spamalot, The Last Five Years (Cygnet); Eurydice [2010 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee], Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Hickorydickory, ENRON, Eternally Bad, The Kid Thing, Bliss, Voyeurs de Venus (Moxie); Lizard Boy; The Moors, The Loneliest Girl Alive, This Beautiful City, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Diversionary); Evita, Roz and Ray [2017 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee], Hand To God; Black Pearl Sings, Beachtown, Fun Home, A Doll’s House Part 2, Sweat, 33 1/3: House of Dreams (San Diego REP); Henry V [2014 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee] (New Fortune). Matt has a Degree in Theatrical Design and Technology from SDSU.
Patrick Marion
Cygnet Theatre Resident Artist. Cygnet Theatre: The Last Five Years, Rock of Ages, Shockheaded Peter, Gypsy, The Rocky Horror Show, My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol, Spring Awakening, Company, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret. San Diego Theatre: Lamb’s Players Theatre (Associate Artist): miXtape, The Music Man, An American Christmas (’09 through ’12), Pump Boys and Dinettes, Godspell, Boomers; San Diego Musical Theatre: Smokey Joe’s Cafe; Diversionary Theatre: Moscow (Award for Outstanding Musical Direction, StageSceneLA); American Rose Theatre: Spring Awakening; Francis Parker: Once on This Island, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Always, Patsy Cline; Coronado Playhouse: Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party; Ariel Performing Arts: Zanna, Don’t! A Musical Fairy Tale; Regional Theatre: Temecula Valley Players: Jesus Christ Superstar.
Kyle Montgomery
Kyle became involved with Cygnet Theatre while attending SDSU and after graduating with his BA in Design and Technology for Theatre he continues to freelance as a designer and assistant designer at: Cygnet Theatre, The Old Globe, Pacific Coast Entertainment, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND. Past design credits – The Legend of Georgia McBride, Animal Crackers, Equality CA Awards Dinner, Jack Hanna Weekend, A Christmas Carol, Company, Hair. Assistant LD – Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, They don’t talk Back, The Metromaniacs, My Fair Lady, and The Motherf***** with the Hat.
Sean Murray
Mr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: Angels in America, Spamalot, A Little Night Music, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Animal Crackers, On the 20th Century,The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Dean Remington
Dean is thrilled to return to the Cygnet having completed successful runs of The Virgin Trial, Pride and Prejudice, Every Brilliant Thing, The Wind and the Breeze, A Christmas Carol, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Shockheaded Peter, When the Rain Stops Falling, and Stupid F***ing Bird. National Tours include The Lion King and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In the UK he was delighted to work with Cameron Mackintosh on his musical, Hey, Mr. Producer! Other highlights include The Luckiest, the Annual Gala and the WoW Festival for La Jolla Playhouse; Outside Mullingar and the world premiere of Manifest Destinitis at San Diego Repertory Theatre; as well as international productions of Grease, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line and Meet Me in St. Louis.
Billy Thompson
Billy has been a composer, arranger, musical director, orchestrator, accompanist, and performer for stage productions throughout the country, including Ars Nova in New York, The Walnut in Philadelphia, The Old Globe in San Diego, Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish, MT, and here at home with Cygnet. His first full length musical, Invasion! garnered the 2007 LA Weekly Theatre Awards for Best Original Score and Best Musical Direction. Since 2012, he has toured with it gets better, a musical performance and outreach campaign for bullying awareness and suicide prevention, with special emphasis toward the LGBTQ community. Billy holds a BM in Composition from USC and an MFA in Musical Theatre from SDSU. A Christmas Carol is his fifth collaboration with Cygnet Theatre, having previously directed music for Parade, Cabaret, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and It’s A Wonderful Life.
Family Day
- Dec 1st @ 1:00PM
to enjoy cookie decorating, coloring station, special activity station with Geppetto's Toys, complimentary hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa of San Diego! Join us for the fun! This is a FREE event. Theatre ticket is NOT required to attend.
Theatre on Tap
- Dec 6th @ 7:00PMWine Night
- Dec 12th @ 6:30PMBlood Drive
- Dec 28th @ 1:30PM
Show us how much you care, San Diego! We are having a blood drive in partnership with San Diego Blood Bank before the performance of A Christmas Carol. Blood mobile will be parked right in front of Cygnet Theatre on Saturday, December 28th from 1:30pm to 7:00pm.
All donors will receive a voucher good for one ticket to any show.
Make your appointment today. Thank you for your generosity!
November 2019