The Rep eNews Letter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Cindy Moran, Public Relations Director, 414-224-1761

November 8, 2007

Miller Brewing Company proudly presents
Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens

Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan
Directed by Judy Berdan

Pabst Theater
Preview: November 23, 2007 – 2:00 p.m.
Opens: November 23, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.
Closes: December 23, 2007 – 12:00 p.m./4:30 p.m.

For 32 years, no show is more anticipated and treasured than The Rep's annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL performed at the beautiful Pabst Theater. This timeless holiday classic will touch your soul and brighten your holiday season with its message of hope and redemption. Gather your friends and family for a true holiday tradition unlike anything else found in Milwaukee. This year features the exciting return of Resident Acting Company Member James Pickering to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL can be purchased in person at The Rep Ticket Office at 108 East Wells Street or by phone at 414-224-9490. Tickets can also be purchased online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com.

This year’s production of Dickens’ timeless holiday masterpiece features a talented cast of both new and returning actors. Four years ago, a million dollar new production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL debuted and the production now features stunning costumes, sets and music. The fantastic cast, impressive sets, costumes and music combined with the familiar story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a stingy old man to a generous compassionate person, creates an unforgettable, magical experience for the whole family.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Resident Acting Company member James Pickering returns to his role as Ebenezer Scrooge for this year’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Sometime during this year's run of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Jim will give his 300th performance as Ebenezer Scrooge. Since The Rep's initial production of Charles Dickens's classic ghost story at The Pabst Theater in 1976, when he and his wife, actress Rose Pickering, appeared as the Cratchits (four adaptations, four sets, seven directors, three musical scores, and 31 Tiny Tims later), he has appeared in 22 revivals of the timeless classic, and returns to it gleefully this Yuletide after a seven-year hiatus. Jim says he is looking forward to performing in A CHRISTMAS CAROL again this year as, “its telling is important to us in ways outside the fact that it is one of the best stories in the English language.” Recent roles at The Rep for Jim include Charlie in Edward Albee’s SEASCAPE, Mr. Voysey in THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE, Hugh in TRANSLATIONS and Patrick in HALF LIFE; and George Holmburg in MERCY OF A STORM at Next Act Theatre. He also directed last season’s wildly successful revival of Larry Shue’s THE NERD.

Directing A CHRISTMAS CAROL for her fourth year is Judy Berdan, who started her journey with The Rep in 1988 as a stage management apprentice for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. From 1993 to 2003, Ms. Berdan served as the Stage Manager for A CHRISTMAS CAROL and had the additional role of Associate Director during the 2002 and 2003 productions. She has been at The Rep for 17 seasons, is the Production Manager and is a member of the The Rep’s Artistic Staff.

Joseph Hanreddy, Co-Adapter, has been Milwaukee Rep’s Artistic Director since 1993. During his tenure, he has initiated innovative collaborations with leading international theater companies, recruited some of the world’s most acclaimed directors to create unique, forward thinking productions, premiered several new works and adaptations of literature by leading American dramatists and established one of the country’s finest acting ensembles. Productions Joe has directed include: TARTUFFE, KING LEAR, SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE, SUEÑO, TWELFTH NIGHT, LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST, MARY STUART, THE SEAGULL, THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, AN IDEAL HUSBAND, ENGAGED, ARCADIA, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, ANNA KARENINA, THE MILL ON THE FLOSS, SILENCE, PARAGON SPRINGS, FORCE OF NATURE and ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS. He has written and directed stage adaptations of Pirandello’s YES. NO. (MAYBE SO . . .), SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR, George M. Cohan’s THE TAVERN and, with Ed Morgan, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. As an actor he has appeared in The Rep productions OF MICE AND MEN, A SKULL IN CONNEMARA and Edward Albee’s THE GOAT OR, WHO IS SYLVIA? Joe is currently directing THE NORMAN CONQUESTS which opens on The Rep’s Quadracci Powerhouse Stage on December 4. He will also direct the world premiere of ARMADALE later this season. “One of the great joys of annually remounting this classic story is the challenge that Dickens’ richly drawn psychologically complex roles present to the actors in our company,” Joe said recently about A CHRISTMAS CAROL.

Edward Morgan, Co-Adapter, is a freelance director and writer. He recently directed this adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL for the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville. His other projects this season include: HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY at the Virginia Stage Company; AS YOU LIKE IT for Case Western’s MFA program at The Cleveland Play House; FAITH HEALER and John MCGIVERN;S WINTER TALES at Next Act Theatre; a workshop of his Faulkner adaptation Twenty Seven with the MFA actors at UVA; a casting project in Chicago for CIRQUE DU SOLEIL; and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT MCGIVERN at The Marcus Center, a show which was taped in August for Milwaukee Public Television. Mr. Morgan served for six seasons as Milwaukee Rep’s Associate Artistic Director, directing numerous productions, including CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, A DELICATE BALANCE, The WEIR, THE GENERAL FROM AMERICA, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE and several of his own adaptations. Mr. Morgan is a graduate of Trinity Repertory Conservatory, a member of Actor's Equity and the Society of Stage Directors & Choreographers, a recipient of the Drama League of NY Director’s Project fellowship, and he and his work have been honored in Washington D.C. with Helen Hayes nominations and awards. He has written for various magazines and won grants from the Wisconsin Council for the Humanities, Irish Fest Foundation and Pier Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Resident Acting Company Members who will appear in this year’s production include: James Pickering (Ebenezer Scrooge); Mark Corkins (Mr. Fezziwig/Ghost of Christmas Present); Jonathan Gillard Daly (Bob Cratchit/Businessman); Peter Silbert (Mr. Grimgrid/Mr. Philpot/Fezziwig Worker/Sailor Captain) and Brian Vaughn (Fred/Fezziwig Worker/Businessman).

Other great actors to round out this year’s stellar cast include: Tracy Michelle Arnold (Mrs. Cratchit/Mrs. Sidebottom/Cook at Fezziwigs); Michael Herold (Mr. Twyce/Mr. Oatway/Milkman/Mr. Topper/Mourner); Mic Matarrese (Rev. Waghorn/Ghost of Jacob Marley/Jacob Marley/Old Joe);
Braden Moran (Mr. Sidebottom/Young Scrooge/Lighthouse Man/Businessman); Elizabeth Ledo (Catherine/Fred’s wife/ Fan/Mrs. Miggott); Jonathan Smoots (Mr. Scadger/Gravedigger/Ghost of Christmas Past/Barnaby/ Madeline’s husband); Jenny Wanasek (Mrs. Dilber/Mrs. Oatway/Mrs. Fezziwig/Madeline, Catherine’s sister); and Katherine Strohmaier (Belle/Lucy/Catherine’s sister/Mourner).

Members of The Rep’s Acting Intern Company in A CHRISTMAS CAROL this year include: Mishelle Apalategui, Jacquie Beyer, Kelsey Brennan, Devin Collins, Donte Fitzgerald (Ghost of Christmas Future), Emily Frank, T. Stacy Hicks, Sean Kazarian (Mr. Mudd), Kevin Pitman, Julia Pledl, Joshua Willis (Dick Wilkins) and Shelley Wilson.

(To learn more about our Resident Acting Company, Guest Actors or our Artistic Intern Company, please visit milwaukeerep.com)

The cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL has 16 child actors. The children’s cast includes: Denzell Armon (Ignorance/Children’s Ensemble); Keegan Cimler (Children’s Ensemble); Emily Daly (Martha Cratchit); Joey Filmanowicz (Smudge); John Filmanowicz (Boy Scrooge); Olivia Gonzalez (Want/Children’s Ensemble); Andrew Harter (Tiny Tim); Austin Kieler (Children’s Ensemble); Casey Kitzman (Children’s Ensemble); Conner Mills (Tiny Tim); Erikray Minturn (Peter Cratchit); Veronica Seher (Belinda Cratchit); Mary Caroline Tilton (Alice Cratchit); Alayah Walls (Children’s Ensemble); Jenna Wolfsohn (Children’s Ensemble); and Emily Zaffiro (Mary Cratchit).

The design/production team for A CHRISTMAS CAROL includes Marjorie Bradley Kellogg (Scenic Designer); Martha Hally (Costume Designer); Nancy Schertler (Lighting Designer); Barry G. Funderburg (Sound Designer); Aimee Hanyzewski (Associate Lighting Designer); Randal Swiggum (Music Director); Jennifer O’Connor (Associate Music Director); John Tanner (Music Arranger); Cate Deicher (Dance Choreographer); Ed Burgess (Movement Choreographer); Gale Childs Daly (Dialect Coach); Shawn Guylas (Children’s Director); Kevin C. McElroy (Wig and Hair Designer); Lara Leigh Dalbey (Make-up Designer); Joseph Buberger, Jr. (Stage Manager); Briana J. Fahey (Assistant Stage Manager); Lesley Stone (Assistant Stage Manager); Laura Wendt (Stage Management Apprentice); Julie Meeusen (Children’s Stage Manager) and Tim Nicolai (Assistant Director).

Tickets for A CHRISTMAS CAROL range in price from $22.50 to $65.00. For more information, or to charge tickets, call 414-224-9490. For Group Sales of 20 or more, call 414-224-9490. Purchase tickets online 24/7 at milwaukeerep.com.

Child Name	Character	Hometown	Age
Denzell Armon	Ignorance/Ensemble	Greenfield	10
Keegan Cimler	Ensemble	Delafield	12
Emily Daly	Martha Cratchit	Milwaukee	14
Joey Filmanowicz	Smudge	Pewaukee	10
John Filmanowicz	Boy Scrooge	Pewaukee	12
Olivia Gonzalez	Want/Ensemble	Milwaukee	9
Andrew Harter	Tiny Tim	Wauwatosa	7
Austin Kieler	Ensemble	Brookfield	12
Casey Kitzman	Ensemble	Cudahy	10
Conner Mills	Tiny Tim	Greendale	6
Erikray Minturn	Peter Cratchit	Hartland	16
Veronica Seher	Belinda Cratchit	Brookfield	12
Mary Caroline Tilton	Alice Cratchit	Beaver Dam	11
Alayah Walls	Ensemble	Wauwatosa	12
Jenna Wolfsohn	Ensemble	Hartland	14
Emily Zaffiro	Mary Cratchit	Milwaukee	10

• Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival
Gather your family and friends for the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival, from November 15 until January 6. Each year three downtown parks are transformed into themed winter wonderlands. This year, “Community Spirit Park” at Cathedral Square Park gathers over 40 schools throughout the metro Milwaukee area to share their holiday wishes. Pere Marquette Park hosts a season of frosty fun with “Penguin Playground”. Drop by “Holiday Central at the North Pole” at Zeidler Union Square to see Santa’s elves hard at work.

The Jingle Bus provides convenient transportation for only $1 leaving from the Official Warming
House at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W. Wisconsin Ave., from 6 – 9 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays November 16th through December 30th. Visitors to The Hilton Milwaukee City Center Warming House will receive free hot cocoa, cookies, coloring books and crayons. For more
information call 414-224-9490 or visit MilwaukeeHolidayLights.com.

Miller Brewing Company proudly presents
Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s production of

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
by Charles Dickens

Adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and Edward Morgan
Directed by Judy Berdan

FACT SHEET

THEATER: Pabst Theater

DATES: November 23, 2007 – December 23, 2007

DESCRIPTION: For 32 years, no show is more anticipated and treasured than The Rep’s annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, running November 23 through December 23, 2007 at the beautiful Pabst Theater. This timeless holiday classic will touch your soul and brighten your holiday season with its message of hope and redemption. Gather your friends and family for a true holiday tradition unlike anything else found in Milwaukee.

PERFORMANCES:
Friday 11/23/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. Opening 7:30 p.m. – Family Value
Saturday 11/24/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. – Family Value
Sunday 11/25/07 – 12:00/4:30 p.m. – Family Value

Friday 11/30/07 – 7:30 p.m. – Family Value
Saturday 12/1/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. - Family Value
Sunday 12/2/07 – 12:00/4:30 p.m. - Family Value

Wednesday 12/5/07 – 7:00 p.m. Interpreted - Family Value
Thursday 12/6/07 – 7:00 p.m. - Family Value
Friday 12/7/07 – 7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Saturday 12/8/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Sunday 12/9/07 – 12:00/4:30 p.m. - Family Value

Wednesday 12/12/07 – 7:00 p.m. - Family Value
Thursday 12/13/07 – 7:00 p.m. - Family Value
Friday 12/14/07 – 7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Saturday 12/15/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Sunday 12/16/07 – 12:00/4:30 p.m. - Family Value

Tuesday 12/18/07 – 7:00 p.m. - Family Value
Wednesday 12/19/07 – 7:00 p.m. - Family Value
Thursday 12/20/07 – 7:00 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Friday 12/21/07 – 7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Saturday 12/22/07 – 2:00/7:30 p.m. – Holiday Prime
Sunday 12/23/07 – 12:00 p.m./4:30 p.m. Close – Holiday Prime

TICKET PRICES:

FAMILY VALUE PERFORMANCES: $22.50 & $45.00

HOLIDAY PRIME PERFORMANCES: $32.50 & $65.00

TICKET OFFICE LOCATION:
108 East Wells Street in Milwaukee’s Downtown Theater District

TICKETS/INFORMATION: 414-224-9490 or buy tickets online at milwaukeerep.com

TICKET OFFICE HOURS:
Phone Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm
Window Hours: 12 p.m. – until Quadracci Powerhouse curtain time

Open to the public before and after all evening performances, Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Stackner Cabaret, located on the second floor of the Milwaukee Center, is our own full-service, smoke-free bar and restaurant. Featuring delicious dinners, as well as late night cocktails, coffee, and desserts, the Cabaret is the ideal meeting place for patrons attending Rep performances. For dinner reservations, call 414-224-9490.

Milwaukee Repertory Theater is a nationally recognized theater company that presents a critically-acclaimed selection of compelling dramas, powerful classics, award-winning contemporary works and lively Cabaret shows on three stages from September through May. The Rep also produces an annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. The Rep's home, the Patty and Jay Baker Theater Complex, accommodates the Quadracci Powerhouse Theater, the Stiemke Theater and the Stackner Cabaret. The Rep is also home to a Resident Acting Company of 13 actors who perform with The Rep throughout the season.

The Rep is proud to be a member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), which provides major annual financial support. The Rep is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), a management association of some of the nation's largest non-profit professional theaters that collectively bargains with the unions that represent the actors, directors and designers that work at The Rep; a constituent of Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the nonprofit professional theater; and a member of Theatre Wisconsin, the statewide association of non-profit professional theaters. This theater operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. The set, costume and lighting designers are members of United Scenic Artists, a national labor union. This theater is an equal opportunity employer. Except in plays where race itself is an issue, casting is decided based on ability, not race.