Happy Holidays!!!

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

There is no question in my mind that one of the top highlights of the 2009 holiday season will be the joy of watching your  "A Christmas Carol" grow from a timid, rough read-through in the BCT Lobby to the five beautiful, polished performances on the BCT main stage.  You had a classic story to tell and tell it you did - wonderfully.  Dickens would have been proud.

Thank you again for the beautiful book.  It is so special.  And thank you for including me in your holiday season.  May your holidays be blessed and bright.  "God Bless Us, Every One!"  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Photos, etc...

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

As of this minute, presale for tonight has climbed to 217...

There are GREAT photos posted on the theatre's website - both rehearsal and LIVE...look for Garrett Kline Photography...

Speaking of photos, there are only two days left to order your cast photo...it is posted in the lobby by the concession stand...

Sunday is of course a matinee...adjust your times accordingly...all cast members ages 13 and older should please plan to stay around and help strike the set...it is expected...the idea is to leave the theatre in better shape than when we found it...

Post Show "congrats"

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

10:00pm...just got home...have to tell you what a great show it was tonight...best of the three...everybody - I mean everybody did a super job...

after the show one gentleman complimented me on the pacing of the show...he said it moved like the "dickens"...

as of 3:45pm the sales were:  Friday - 345...Saturday - 208...Sunday...357...fantastic...a compliment to you and a huge financial support to the theatre...

ALSO...I have been given this fantastic book of "A Christmas Carol" with notations from Dickens himself...thank you to those who caused t to come my way...

("hi" Diane)

Happy Thursday....

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Holy Cow!!!...here we are...the night before our final weekend...I hope everyone is reviewing their lines and blocking...am meeting Scrooge, Marley, and Spirits 1 & 2 is just a few minutes to go over their lines...Spirit #3 has assured me he remembers all his lines perfectly...remember:  three shows this weekend - Friday at 8, Saturday at 8, AND Sunday at 2...allow yourself a little extra time Friday night to double check props, costumes, lines, etc....

Tickets still being sold...as of 4pm today the Friday sales were at 245, Saturday sales are at 199, and Sunday sales are at 333...that is super...hopefully there will be a good sale tomorrow and a good walk-in at all three remaining shows...when your friends and family ask, remember, yes, there are plenty of good seats remaining for all shows..

numbers update...

Friday...214
Saturday...196
Sunday...324

keeps looking better and better...miss you all...

more numbers...

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Ted just emailed me some more numbers....

December 4 was 354
December 5 was 271

At the end of the weekend Friday was 173 - at 4:00 today it was 204 (293 remaining)
At the end of the weekend Saturday was 155 - at 4:00 today it was 189 (308 remaining)
At the end of the weekend Sunday was 289 - at 4:00 today it ws 298 (199 remaining)

These numbers are very good...I am very proud of these numbers...it shows you have done some good work...I think this also shows that people who saw the show last weekend did some talking - and it was good...it would be neat to have all shows over the 250 mark...

PS...have I told you lately how proud I am of each and every one of you...

numbers...

To:  "number watchers"
From:  John McC

For those of you who like to watch the numbers...

Friday, December 4 was 354
Saturday, December 5 was 271

Friday, December 11 is at 173
Saturday, December 12 is at 155
Sunday, December 13 is at 289

We will keep you posted...total number of seats is 497...so, lots of empty seats remain...

Bravo!!!

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From"  John McC

Thursday, December 10 - “Brush-Up Rehearsal”
- “Line rehearsal” for Scrooge, Marley, Christmas Past, and Christmas Present ONLY
(time and place TBA)
- All others please be checking your lines and blocking at home all week long.
- Come 20 minutes earlier on Friday, December 11 to double check everything.

Remember: three shows next weekend...
- Friday (11th) at 8:00pm
- Saturday (12th) at 8:00pm
- Sunday (13th) at 2:00pm

SEATS AVAILABLE FOR ALL SHOWS

Great Show Again Last Night - BRAVO!!!!!

Beautiful!!! Congrats!!!

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Congratulations everybody...it was a beautiful show last night...I think Ted said the count was 354...hopefully there will be some good mouth to mouth sales going on today...remind folks that walk-ins are welcomed and that seats are available...

Party tonight in the Little Theatre after the show...yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday "brush-up" rehearsal will be for Scrooge, Marley, Christmas Past, and Christmas Present only...time and location TBA...all else enjoy the evening at home or with friends...however, don't forget to look over you lines...

See you all tonight as we get the joy of doing it all again - even better...

Opening Night!!!!!!!!!

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Well here it is - OPENING NIGHT...this is what it is all about...putting it out there for an audience to enjoy...and I truly do believe they will enjoy your performances - from our corpse to our Scrooge...

And speaking of "enjoy"...that is exactly what I did last night - I enjoyed your dress rehearsal...not perfect in any stretch, but a darn good dress...clean up lines...project your voice AND your face...tell the story...

Here are the numbers as of last night...
     Dec. 4 - 270
     Dec. 5 - 162
     Dec. 11 - 157
     Dec. 12 - 147
     Dec. 13 - 267
TOTAL = 1003...that's good...still a lot of emty seats...tell your friends "excellent seats still available"

Ticket Update...

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Ted Smith (aka Christmas Present) wears many hats for the Barrow...one is overseeing the online ticket sales...I just received an email from him with this update:
     Friday the 4th...214
     Saturday the 5th...113
     Friday the 11th...101
     Saturday the 12th...116
     Sunday the 13th...213
     TOTAL = 757

May I share a couple of thoughts.....
Please be sure you all let people know you are in the show AND be sure you let them know you would really appreciate them being there...sometimes we forget that part...sometimes we may casually mention that we are doing a show and we stop there...don't forget to tell our family, friends, and coworkers that you would like them to be in attendence to enjoy your project...that it is a good show...lots of talent...it's very "holiday"...it's not long...you have spent a lot of time on this...you want to share this experience...it is a classic...it is family friendly (although have them remind young kids that the spirits/ghosts are only pretend)...it is LIVE - ON STAGE...it is good to support Franklin Civic Operetta Association and their Barrow-Civic Theatre...ticket prices are very reasonable...neat costumes...cute kids...beautiful adults --- whatever it takes to drum up ticket sales and to get yourself a well deserved audience...maybe this is your first show - maybe your last...share your excitement over having line(s) for the first time --- again, you deserve a good audience - work at it - get it...some people just come to the theater - that's nice - but the fact remains that most people come because they know someone in the production...(we'll talk later)

Final Rehearsals...

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Here we are with only two more rehearsals...show is looking great...Bravo! to Cathy and her costume crew...Judy's props are looking good...Ed is working his magic...and how about our first time stage manager, Linda - Bravo!...Ted's program looks super...EVERYONE is stepping up to the plate and doing a super job...Bravo! to all...

Tonight (Wednesday) we will again try to start as close to 7:00pm as possible...yes, costumes...no, makeup...I understand they will be playing with hair...Everyone bring your holiday smiles and big projection...Steve West will be taking a lot of pictures tonight...he does the WestPA Magazine...

Tomorrow is the final rehearsal...treat it like an all-out performance...we will have a few people in the audience - the volunteer crew that usher, etc...here at the Barrow...(more later)

I am very pleased - very pleased...there's a ways to go yet, but I am so confident that you all will get us there...

Happy Thanksgiving

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Happy Thanksgiving everybody....if you are traveling, hope it is safe...during our little break please look over lines and blocking...we will meet again on Sunday at 3:00 for a tech rehearsal...next week of course is full run-throughs each night...

Enjoyed rehearsal tonight...so much just seemed to fall in place tonight...it allowed me to make some nice changes/improvements/tweeking...a big thank you to everyone for your time and hard work...

Two Rehearsals This Week

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Well, first of all, a huge "thank you" to all who were able to ride the float last night...when the flot went past our judges platform I was very proud...I was very proud of you all and of the Theatre and of the show...the float looked great!!!...but most importantly, it did exactly what it needed to do - it served as super advertising...thousands of people saw and heard of the upcoming performances of "A Christmas Carol"...hopefully the phone will ring of the hook tomorrow...

As you are talking up the show, try to push the first weekend...the theory behind doing two weekends of shows is to get people there the first weekend so they go out and tell people about it and then those people come see the show the second weekend...it is a theory - sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't...tell folks that there are special activities in the Little Theatre on opening night - music by Allegheny Sounds, a Wassail Bowl, and "munchies"...

TWO rehearsals this week - Monday and Tuesday...if all goes well, we might just run the show twice each night...NO BOOKS ON STAGE, please...if you have costume business, etc...please come a few minutes early to take care of those duties so we can get a start on time...

Just Announced:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUST ANNOUNCED:

The award-winning Allegheny Sounds, under the direction of Linda Wrhen, will be performing in the Barrow Little Theatre as part of the opening night festivities for the FCOA production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Opening night of "A Christmas Carol" is December 4th. Beginning at 7:00pm, for those who are attending the performance, there will be a wassail bowl, hors d'oeures, and music in the Barrow Little Theatre. In addition, there will be over 35 beautifully decorated holiday trees in the lobby. The performance of "A Christmas Carol" begins at 8:00pm.

For show tickets, please call 437-3440 or purchase tickets online at www.barrowtheatre.com

The Charles Dickens holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" plays LIVE on December 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 8:00pm. A special matinee is scheduled December 13 at 2:00pm. "A Christmas Carol" stars Al Shilling as Scrooge and is directed by John McConnell. The production managers are Cooper Oliver and Jeri Bolton.

Lots to do...

To:  "Carol" Cast
From:  John

There are lots of things to do tonight...first and foremost, we need to run the show in sequence...by doing so we get a sense of "a show" - a sense of "a story"...sequence is especially important to our Scrooge...he has a lot of lines and a lot of time on stage (never off)...he needs to feel the "flow"...

We should be adding the narrator tonight...aka - Charles Dickens...this will be fun...

I will need a few minutes to talk to the "crowd"...we need to find our little groups again...use more of the stage...be creative with "business"...

We will want to have the Cratchits use a real table and chairs...I think that will help make a little more sense of what is going on there...

Everyone needs to be out-of-book as much a possible (did everyone notice Scrooge did a wonderful job off-book on Monday - yeah, Al!!!)...also, lots and lots of projection of voices and faces - out to the audience...(by the way, everybody selling tickets?)

I could go on and on...the important thing here is that there is a rehearsal tonight...see you then...

PS...have you noticed a little excitement brewing in town?...I think a holiday is in the brew and I think there is a show being produced about this holiday...come, stir the brew...

Fine Arts Council Raffle

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Franklin Fine Arts Council Raffle
(benefit: annual arts scholarship)

$5.00 each - 3 for $10.00
Drawing: December 2, 2009

Holiday Basket contains:
-- Two (2) tickets to “A Christmas Carol”
(live at the Barrow Theatre 12/4, 5, 11, 12, & 13)
(presented by Franklin Civic Operetta Association)
-- $30.00 gift certificate to Bella Cucina
-- Snowman Blanket
-- Cookie Jar and Tea Pot
-- numerous other holiday items
Total value: over $150

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING ANY RAFFLE TICKETS, PLEASE SEE ME

Show Shirts

From:  Jeri Bolton, producer

Please post onto the blog: T-shirts
Cast members can choose long sleeve or short sleeve t-shirts.


Long SLEEVE T-SHIRTS --$13.00
Short sleeve T-shirts--$9.00

You can also choose if you would like forest green or cardinal red (that is a deeper red)

T-shiirts will be embroidered with the "AChristmas Carol" logo.

At rehearsal tonight, Jeri get sizes.

Jeri needs money for the shirts by Thursday night. So please bring cash for your shirt to rehearsal on Thursday.

The Next Step

To: "Carol" Cast

From: John McC

Well, here we are...ready to take the next step...Monday (November 16) at 7:00pm we will be on the main stage and we will run the entire show from the beginning to the end...I am sure there are some blocking things that will need fixed - so we will...there are also a couple of things that have to be added - don't panic...the cast has been wonderful through the blocking process - thank you to each and everyone of you...I must admit, I am excited for the first run-through...

Cooper told me today that the "load in" went very well...thank you to all that were able to help...

Thank you to Ed and Jeri for decorating the front window of the Theatre...appreciated...(can the lights be on - or are you saving that for Light Up Night?)

This is a good time to be "talking up" the show to potential ticket buyers...Cooper has ticket order forms for any cast members who need them...remember: all cast members receive one complimentary ticket...

THIS WEEK:
- Monday...7:00pm...Main Stage...Entire Show
- Tuesday...6:00pm...Main Stage...final costume fitting for entire cast AND set painting with Ed
- Thursday...7:00pm...Main Stage...Entire Show
- Saturday...Light Up Night Parade...(final details forthcoming)

BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE MAIN STAGE THIS WEEK, PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE STAGE DOOR AT THE BACK OF THE THEATRE - ON BUFFALO STREET...THE STAGE DOOR IS THE ONE AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP...(THAT WAS FOR ANY NEWCOMERS)...STAY ONLY IN THE MAIN STAGE AREA - DO NOT GO INTO THE LOBBY AREA...

Rounding the turn...

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Well, we're here...rounding the final turn - getting ready to come down the home stretch...

1.  Last night's rehearsal was great...you all are so talented...thanks

2.  Thursday, November 12...7:00pm...(who knows - LT or Lobby - be surprised like me)...final blocking rehearsal...that's scenes 22, 24, and 25 (like the schedule says)...so, we'll need to see only Scrooge, Buck, Fred, Kate, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim...(no London "crowd" folks)

3.  Sunday, November 15...1:00pm - 2:30pm...Ed Ramage needs as many people helping him as possible to "load in"...that means bringing set pieces, furniture, props, costumes, etc...from the warehouse to the theatre...if you have access to a truck or a van, please let us know or just show up...please - everyone be there to help - feel free to bring a friend or family member to help...the more the merrier and the quicker it gets done...plan to meet at the stage door area (top of ramp at the back of the theatre on Buffalo Street)

4.  Monday, November 16...7:00...Main Stage (?)...the entire show!!!!!

5.  Tuesday, November 17...6:00pm...(no rehearsal)...HOWEVER...final costume fitting for ALL cast members AND set painting (dress accordingly - bring a friend)...

6.  Thursday, November 19...7:00pm...Main Stage (?)...the entire show!!!!

Tonight - Tuesday - Rehearsal

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Tonight we welcome the Ghost of Christmas Present...Ho Ho Ho and Ha Ha Ha...
...the scenes tonight are:
#12 - minus the "crowd" of Londoners tonight, Scrooge, and Christmas Present
#13 - that's the entire Cratchit family, Scrooge and Christmas Present
#14 - Fred, Kate, and "Fred's Party" people, Scrooge and Christmas Present
#15 - Scrooge, Ghost of Christmas Present
#16A - that's Ignorance and Want, Scrooge and Christmas Present

Did everyone read the posting on 'Work Sessions"?...please read - everyone!

Thursday we finish blocking the show...Next week we start putting everything together (hopefully it will look like a show)...Has everyone been "talking it up" - we need ticket sales...

Night Off!

To:  "Carol" cast and crew
From:  John McC

1.  You are right...no rehearsal tonight (Monday - 11/9)...Go Steelers!!!!...tomorrow night (Tuesday - 11/10) is all the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Present...this includes everyone in those scenes but NOT the London "crowd"

2.  I went to see Disney's "A Christmas Carol"...very Disney...over all, not bad...can't say that it is my favorite...really liked:  the costumes, "crowd" pieces of business, music, Marley's ghost, and ghost of  Christmas Future...would have liked it better in 3-D...I thought it was too scary for kids...

3.  If you haven't read the posting on "work session" etc...please do...

Update and Clarification:

To:  "Carol" Cast
From:  John McC

For the rehearsals this week (Tuesday - 10th and Thursday - 12th) the "crowd" is not needed...their blocking for their scenes is all in place.

Work Sessions

To:  "Carol" Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

At the production meeting on Thursday we (tentatively) set the following:

Sunday, November 15..."Load-In"...1:00pm-2:30pm...cast members, friends, and family are needed to move set pieces, props, costume items, etc...from the warehouse to the Theatre...if you have access to  a truck or van, please let us know...the more people the easier and quicker the work...

Tuesday, November 17...6:00pm...(no rehearsal is scheduled)...however, cast members, friends, and family are needed to help Ed Ramage paint the set pieces...ALSO...for all cast members, this evening will be the final costume fitting with the costume ladies...

Saturday, November 21...LIGHT-UP NIGHT PARADE...the cast will need to be at the Theatre at 5:00pm to put on costumes...5:15pm leave to go to the float...5:30pm gather and get positioned in the parade...the parade begins at 6:00pm...Please:  there is to be no candy thrown from the float...if you have a friend or family member who would like to walk along side the float to hand out candy and flyers, this would be good...

Saturday, November 28...(no set times at this moment)...Ed Ramage will be needing help setting lights in the morning and early afternoon...in later afternoon and evening, Ed will need help doing the final "assembling" of the set...

NOTE FROM THE COSTUMERS:
1.  All cast members will be responsible for their own shoes and socks...NO tennis shoes or sneakers...dark dress type shoes for the men...dark character shoes or slipper type shoes for the women...
2.  NEEDED...men's white (or light) dress shirts - any size...donated - not to be returned...

Looking Ahead

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Thank you to the "crowd" folks last night...we went through their scenes...the costume people were able to talk to and measure all those they needed...a lot of little stuff got taken care of in addition to their scenes...

The production meeting was "productive" - as it should be...again, a lot of little stuff got taken care of...

There are only two rehearsals next week!  (Monday is off for the benefit of all the Steeler fans...specifically Scrooge and me)

* Tuesday (11/10)...7:00pm...Lobby/Little Theatre...everyone in scenes 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, &  16 ...  note:  this is a slight change...on the schedule it calls for Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present only...I would like everyone in those scenes...sorry for any problems...if you had made other plans that can not be changed, I understand...



* Thursday (11/12)...7:00pm...Lobby/Little Theatre...everyone in scenes 22, 24, and 25

It's Not Too Early

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

I am getting ready to go to the Theatre for a 6:00pm production meeting and a 7:00pm rehearsal (all the scenes with the "crowd" etc...)

I wanted to suggest to everybody that it is not to early to start telling your friends and family about the show.  Encourage them to attend.  Encourage them to make it a part of their holiday.  Suggest they take someone (a neighbor, relative, church friend, etc...) as a holiday gift.  Remind everyone that the show is very "family friendly."  Make a list of people that you want to call.  Use your email listings to spread the word.  Use your facebook to spread the word.  SELL TICKETS!!!!!  GET AN AUDIENCE!!!!

I am a strong believer that WE are the ones that have to spread the word and build our audience.

Looking forward to a good meeting and rehearsal.  Will be updating with more info soon.

Tonight's Rehearsal

Tonight's (Tuesday, Nov. 3) rehearsal is at 7:00pm in the Theatre's Lobby.  We will be done between 8:30pm and 8:45pm.  Tonight's rehearsal covers all scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Future - those are scenes 16-B (where the Ghost of Christmas Future enters) through (and including) scene 21.  So, check your scene listing, and if you are in one of those scenes, we will need see you tonight.

Bravo to the "crowd"...last night we roughed out the three crowd scenes...we will build upon them a little more on Thursday...

There is a production staff meeting on Thursday at 6:00 for the people in charge of props, costumes, lights, sound, sets, etc...

First week in November

To:  Cast and Crew
From:  John McC

Ok...here we are...the first week of November...don't exactly know what that means except Halloween, etc.. is all over...but most importantly, it means we are one month away from showtime...

The schedule for this week holds true to exactly what is on the schedule:

- Monday, November 2...7:00pm-8:45pm...the "crowd" only...scenes 1, 12, and 23

- Tuesday, November 3...7:00pm-8:45pm...everyone in scenes 16B (that's where the Ghost of Christmas Future comes in) through and including scene 21...again, that's everyone who is in a scene with the Ghost of Christmas Future...(clarification:  16A is the first part of 16 with the Ghost of Christmas Present...16B is the second part of 16 with the Ghost of Christmas Future)...I hope that's clear...

- Thursday, November 5...7:00pm-8:45pm...everyone who is in scenes 1, 12, and 23...note, this is the same as Monday PLUS any other characters - not just the "crowd" who are in 1, 12, and 23

Again, I still have not been given a location for these rehearsals...so, please just plan to report to the alley and we'll go from there...

Last week's rehearsals were great...thanks...we got everything blocked from the office scene (2) through everything with Marley and with the Ghost of Christmas Past...I am again looking forward to another week of good blocking...

Underway, etc...

To:  Cast & Crew
From:  John McC

I just wanted to share a couple of things:

1.  First of all, rehearsals are underway and going beautifully...Monday we blocked the office scene w/ Fred, etc...and last night we blocked the scene with Marley...so, forward we go - full speed ahead...

2.  I want to encourage everyone to try to see "Legend of Sleepy Hollow"...several of our cast are also members of that cast...they deserve our support...plus, youth theatre shows are always a delight.  "Legend" plays Friday and Sunday.  ALSO, you might want to check out the radio show this weekend - "War of the Worlds"...radio shows are always fun and some of our cast are involved in that show, too...

3.  I was told last night that Thursday's rehearsal (the 29th) will be in the Lobby...as stated on the schedule, it covers all the scenes with the Ghost of Christmas Past - PLUS Belle...it will run from 7:00pm until about 8:45pm...there will be a radio show rehearsal going on in the Little Theatre, so please do not disturb them...

4.  Looking toward Monday (November 2)...we will be blocking the three "crowd" scenes...in addition to those listed as "crowd/ensemble" I'd like to see Old Joe, Doorstop Woman, Ignorance, Want, Carolers, Buck, business associates, undertaker's man, Dilber, laundress, Fred's party guests, Fezziwig's party guests, fiddler, concertina player, Poole, and Lamb.  The following can also be included - but not as their character, but as a townsfolk - 9yr old Scrooge, 16yr old Scrooge, 22yr old Scrooge, Fan, and Mrs. Fezziwig...I have still not been told where that rehearsal will be held, so plan to report to the lobby...when I find out, I will let you know...that rehearsal starts at 7:00pm and will end at about 8:45pm...

5.  Happy Halloween!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rehearsals this week:

Rehearsals this week are exactly what is on the schedule with one exception...Scene 10 was added to Thursday's rehearsal - this affected only adding Belle:

Monday (26th)...Scene 2...Scrooge, Fred, Bob Cratchit, Lamb, Poole

Tuesday (27th)...Scenes 3 and 4...Scrooge, Marley (only)

Thursday (29th)...Scenes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, AND 10...Scrooge, Spirit #1, 9 yr old Scrooge, 16 yr old Scrooge, 22 yr old Scrooge, Fan, Fezziwig, Mrs. Fezziwig, Fezziwig party guests, fiddler, concertina player, Belle

Rehearsals are at 7:00pm...I have still not been told what rehearsal spaces are available to us, so please report to the lobby and we will go from there.

Please be familiar with your lines before you come to rehearsal...it will help things go quicker...thanks

Rehearsals this week:

Read-Through - "GREAT"

To:  Cast Members
From:  John McC

I thought last night's read-through was "great" - I was so happy.  You seemed to get good honest laughs at all the right places and yet found the seriousness of Scrooge's transformation.  I loved hearing your voices.  Needless to say, I am so looking forward to get into blocking next week and bringing this script to life. 

For the older crowd, remember "Night, Mother" this week in the Little Theatre.  TILT is a wonderful part of FCOA and the BCT family.  Check it out.  Rosie and Amy are both fine actresses - should be an outstanding production.  It plays Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm.

I will also be encouraging everone to go see "Sleepy Hollow."  Love the Youth Theatre!  We all need to get out and support our fellow cast members who are also shining in "Sleepy Hollow."

Announcing "A Christmas Carol" Cast

First of all, WOW!!!...huge turnout...68...super...congratulations to those who have been cast...and thank you to those who were not - PLEASE consider becoming involved with the crew, costumers, etc....

REMINDER:  Cast meeting and read-through on Thursday, October 22 at the Theatre - in the Lobby...there are rehearsals in both the Little Theatre and Main Stage...7:00pm - 8:30pm

REMINDER:  FCOA requests a $20 refundable deposit on your scripts...the $20 is returned after you return the script at the end of the show's run...

Cast for “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”


EBENEZER SCROOGE...Al Shilling

THE NARRATOR...Peter Greene

MARLEY’S GHOST...Martin Rudegeair

FIRST SPIRIT (ghost of Christmas past)...Laurie Rogers

SECOND SPIRIT (ghost of Christmas present)...Ted Smith

THIRD SPIRIT (ghost of Christmas future) Andrew Ritsig

POOLE...Maggie Bernecky

LAMB...Terri Williams

FAN...Geralyn McMullen

9-YEAR OLD SCROOGE...Tyler Lyons

16-YEAR OLD SCROOGE...Arron Hoffman

22-YEAR OLD SCROOGE...Aaron Ritsig

BELLE...Sonia Firster

FEZZIWIG...Tom Last

MRS. FEZZIWIG...Lori Spence

FIDDLER...Aaron Ritsig

CONCERTINA PLAYER...Rae Connolly

GUESTS AT FEZZIWIG’S PARTY: Elizabeth Anderson, Allison Cowles, Stephen Dennis, Alysha Graham, Katie Kirby-Rogers

NEPHEW FRED...Ben Bodamer

KATE...Rebecca Christe

GUESTS AT FRED’S PARTY: Liesl Bittner, Arron Hoffman, Jill Kellner, Alix Noyes, Andrew Ritsig

BOB CRATCHIT...Bill Hennessy

MRS. CRATCHIT...Tish McClintock

TINY TIM CRATCHIT...David Zlotnicki

PETER CRATCHIT...Bowen Dye

MARTHA CRATCHIT...Megan Keelan

BELINDA CRATCHIT...Kate Ditzenberger

FREDERICK CRATCHIT...Daniel McQuaide

HARRIET CRATCHIT...Katherine McDonald

OLD JOE...Mike Heise

LAUNDRESS...Iva McMullen

CHARWOMAN...Michelle Schull

MRS. DILBER...Amanda Keener

UNDERTAKER’S MAN...Arron Hoffman

BUSINESS ASSOCIATE #1...Aaron Ritzig

BUSINESS ASSOCIATE #2...Stephen Dennis

BUSINESS ASSOCIATE #3...Pamela Logsdon Sibley

BUCK...Lane Behe

BOY CAROLER...Lane Behe

OTHER CAROLERS (SCENE #1):  Erin Edwards, Kristina Hartle, Reagan Lashinsky, Katie Lawson, Hannah McQuaide, Katie Kirby-Rogers, Beth Pfohl, Alix Noyes

DOORSTOP WOMAN...Michelle Schull

IGNORANCE...Erica Scott

WANT...Tyler Lyons

CROWD/ENSEMBLE (passersby, moaning phantoms, extra party goers, etc...):  Brandon, Byers, Rae Connolly, Mija Gossett, Andrew Krizon, Regan Scott, Bethany Weingard

Tentative Rehearsal Schedule for "Carol"

To:  Interested auditioners
From:  John McConnell, "carol" director

Here is a tentative rehearsal schedule for "carol"...I will not finalize the schedule until auditions are over and the show is cast - therefore being able to accomodate cast members' conflicts...you will notice most rehearsals are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday...you will also notice not all of the locations are set as of this time, nor have I assigned the "scenes" to be rehearsed - again, I will do this after casting so I can take into account cast conflicts...(ps...for those who have not worked with me before - I can work around a lot of your schedule conflicts)...I do not think many people will be asked to attend rehearsals all three nights a week until we begin the run-throughs...it is a relatively short show...all parts are non-singing...however, I will be casting a small group of carolers to be incorporated into the show...

Tentative Rehearsal Schedule (revised schedule will be completed after casting)


“A Christmas Carol”

DAY         DATE       TIME       LOCATION       SCENE(S)

Saturday   10/17       2:00pm  BCT Lobby       Auditions

Sunday     10/18       2:00pm  BCT Lobby       Auditions

Thursday  10/22       7:00pm                            Cast Meeting &
                                                                       Read Through

Monday    10/26      7:00pm                            TBA

Tuesday    10/27      7:00pm                            TBA

Thursday   10/29      7:00pm                            TBA

Monday     11/2      7:00pm                             TBA

Tuesday     11/3      7:00pm                             TBA

Thursday    11/5     7:00pm                             TBA

Tuesday    11/10     7:00pm                            TBA

Thursday   11/12     7:00pm                           TBA

Monday    11/16     7:00pm                            TBA

Tuesday    11/17     7:00pm                            TBA

Thursday   11/19     7:00pm                           TBA

Monday    11/23     7:00pm                           Entire Show (twice?) -
                                                                     no books

Tuesday   11/24      7:00pm                           Entire Show (twice?) -
                                                                     no books

Sunday    11/29      1:00pm    Main Stage     Tech Rehearsal

                              3:00pm    Main Stage      Full Cast - Entire Show

Monday   11/30     7:00pm    Main Stage      Entire Show (twice?)

Tuesday   12/1       7:00pm    Main Stage      Entire Show (twice?)

Wednesday 12/2    7:00pm    Main Stage     Full Dress Rehearsal
                                                                   (w/ makeup)

Thursday     12/3    8:00pm    Main Stage     Full Dress Rehearsal
                                                                   (w/ makeup)

Friday         12/4    8:00pm    Main Stage     Performance

Saturday     12/5    8:00pm     Main Stage    Performance and Party

Thursday    12/10   6:30pm     Main Stage    Brush-Up Rehearsal

Friday        12/11   8:00pm     Main Stage    Performance

Saturday    12/12    8:00pm    Main Stage    Performance

Sunday      12/13    2:00pm    Main Stage    Performance and Set Strike


Please Note: There is NO Rehearsal on Monday, November 9. GO STEELERS!

Please Note: There is a bit of a break between November 24 and November 29. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Please Note: The Brush-Up Rehearsal is schedule for 6:30pm on Thursday, December 10. The Steeler game starts at 8:15pm.



*********************

Large cast is needed!

CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Ebenezer Scrooge...Miserly old man (male)
The Narrator...Charles Dickens (male)
Marley's Ghost...Spirit of Scrooge's partner (male)
Second Spirit...Ghost of Christmas Present - Jovial spirit (male or female)
First Spirit...Ghost of Christmas Past - old/Young Spirit (male or female)
Nephew Fred...Scrooge's kind nephew (male)
Belle...Scrooge's young fiancee (female)
Bob Cratchit...Scrooge's meek clerk (male)
Mrs. Cratchit...Bob's kind/feisty wife (female)
Fezziwig...Jovial Boss (male)
Poole...charity seeker (male)
Lamb...charity seeker (male or female)
Tiny Tim Cratchit...Bob's crippled young son (boy)
Peter Cratchit...Bob's 12 year-old son (boy)
Belinda Cratchit...Bob's 15 year-old daughter (girl)
Guests 1, 2, 3...(3) of Fred's party guests (male or female)
Old Joe...Rag and bottle shop owner (male or female)
Charwoman...Coarse cleaning lady (female)
Mrs. Dilber...Lower class laundress (female)
Buck...Street urchin (boy)
Businessman 1, 2, 3...(3) Greedy businessmen (male)
Boy Caroler...Poor street caroler (boy)
Frederick Cratchit...Bob's 8 year-old (boy) one line in dialogue
Harriet Cratchit...Bob's 7 year-old daughter (girl) one line in dialogue
Carolers...(2) other carolers (boys or girls)
Doorstep Woman...non-speaking part (female)
9-year old Scrooge...non-speaking part (boy)
16-year old Scrooge...non-speaking part (male)
Young Scrooge (age 22)...non-speaking part (male)
Fiddler...non-speaking part (male or female)
Concertina Player...non-speaking part (male or female)
Ignorance...non-speaking part (boy)
Want...non-speaking part (girl)Undertaker's Man...non-speaking part (male)

Also:  Crowds of passersby, moaning phantoms, party goers, dancers, carolers

Cast Size:  Rarely are more than 7 people on stage at once.  Doubling is suggested.

The first step to become a star is coming to audition.

AUDITIONS:


The auditions for Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” are set for Saturday, October 17th at 2:00pm and Sunday, October 18th at 2:00pm. Auditions will be in the lobby of The Barrow-Civic Theatre. Those planning to audition should use the alley door. No advance preparation or previous experience is needed.

This production is a non-musical, however, a group of carolers will be featured. There are roles for 13 males, 6 females, 9 males or females, 7 boys, 4 girls, and 2 boys or girls. Children should currently be in third grade and older.

John McConnell is the stage director. Cooper Oliver and Gerry Bolton are the producers.

Performances will be December 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13 at The Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.