Premiered December 3-19, 2010
Old Stone School Theatre, Hillsboro, Virginia
A New, Musical Adaptation of the Charles Dickens' Classic!
Book by Meredith Bean McMath, Music and Lyrics by Diane El-Shafey, Instrumental Music by Carma Oliverez
Directed by Meredith Bean McMath and Diane El-Shafey
Hillsboro's Old Stone School Theatre
37098 Charles Town Pike (Route 9), Hillsboro, Virginia - 9 miles NW of Leesburg
Front Row L to R: Pam Oliver, Emily Horton, Cecilia Bracey, Eliza Stribling, Elena Munzell, Jessica Derrow Christy Stroup and Gemma Davimes. Middle Row: Amy Blair, Chris Saunders, Ernie Carnevale, Connor Gavan, Tom Johnson Garrett Milich and Chris Miller. Back Row: Laura Stroup, Elizabeth Bracey, Joshua Derrow, Shawn Malone, Carly Machlan, Alie Campbell, Suzanne Johnson, Ric Stroup and Sue Derrow
Read the write up in TALK LOUDOUN
View the FACEBOOK PHOTO ALBUM
from the Run Rabbit Run Theatre Facebook Page
with photos by Jim Poston of Middleburg
ABOUT THE SHOW
Sold out shows and standing ovations met this new take on Charles Dickens' classic tale. Once Upon A Christmas Carol is a musical adaptation that keeps Dicken's language and humor the way Scrooge promised to keep Christmas: forevermore! With a script adapted by prize-winning playwright Meredith Bean McMath and original music by Diane El-Shafey, Run Rabbit Run Theatre was proud to premiere this original work. Once Upon A Christmas Carol also marked the premiere of a new partnership with Hillsboro Community Association to bring quality theatre and arts education to the Old Stone School.
ABOUT THE MUSIC
Original music and lyrics were written by Diane El-Shafey and instrumental music by Carma Oliverez for this unique production. Diane worked for several years at Waterford Elementary School, directing several original musical plays for which she wrote both music and libretto. She honed her musical theatre, acting, writing, directing and producing skills in California before moving to Virginia in 1999, and has since directed several main stage productions. Have a listen...
Enjoy 30-seconds of the Opening Music
PATRON REVIEWS
"My friend and I LOVED IT! — all the nuances, both humorous and touching, creative staging, wonderful voices and costumes, the perfect accents. I could feel everyone's hard, fun work and play, and, together, you brought Dickens' timeless message alive to share with all of us. Bravo!!"
— Mary Hunter Leach
"Loved the female group of ghost singers with Marley in"Marley's Lament' — that was so original and clever. And the Ghost of Christmas Future was a hoot! How the heck did you do that??"
— Maureen Masanoff
"Our High School Cotillion Club just attended, 'Once Upon a Christmas Carol,' and it was fabulous! A wonderful family show..."
— Jean Ann Michie NLJC Director, Loudoun Chapter
THE MUSIC
Unless noted, Music and Lyrics by Diane El-Shafey
Instrumental Music by Carma Oliverez
Act One
Sc. 1: "Christmas Day is Fast Upon Us"
Sc. 2: "Marley's Lament"
Sc. 4: "Oh, No John" (English Folk Song)
"Christmas Medley"
"Good King Fezziwig"
Sc. 5: "Belle's Song"
Entr'acte: "A Trio of Traditional Carols"
Act Two
Sc. 1: "Christmas is Coming" (English Folk Song)
Sc. 2: "Because You Said"
Sc. 3: "Old Scratch"
Sc. 4: "Bring Him Home"
Sc. 5: "I'm Alive!"
"Finale Song"
THE ORIGINAL CAST
in alphabetical order
AMY BLAIR (Young Lady, Marley Lock-Ette, Miss Fezziwig, Fezziwig Dancer, Fred's Wife Elizabeth, Caroline)
CECILIA BRACEY (Bun Seller's Daughter, Fezziwig Dancer, Ghost of Christmas Future, Errand Boy)
ELIZABETH BRACEY (Bun Seller, Fezziwig Nanny, Mrs. Dilber the Laundress, Fred and Elizabeth's Maid)
ALIE CAMPBELL (Trinket Seller, Marley Lock-ette, Miss Fezziwig the Younger, Belinda Cratchit)
ERNIE CARNEVALE (Ebeneezer Scrooge)
GEMMA DAVIMES (Young Lady, Fezziwig Dancer, Rose)
JESSICA DERROW (Boy Caroler, Fezziwig Dancer, Boy Cratchit, "Ignorance")
JOSHUA DERROW (Boy Caroler, Belle's Son, Tiny Tim, Caroline's boy)
SUE DERROW (Upper Crust Lady, Boarding School Cook, Fezziwig Dancer, Hen # 2)
CONNOR GAVAN (Pick Pocket, Boy Scrooge, Fezziwig Dancer, Peter Cratchit)
EMILY HORTON (Girl Caroler, Valentine, Fezziwig Dancer, "Want")
SUZANNE JOHNSON (Martha Cratchit, Holly Seller, Marley Lock-Ette, Fezziwig Dancer)
TOM JOHNSON (Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig Dancer, The Undertaker's Man)
CARLY MACHLAN (Mrs. Cratchit, Marley Lock-Ette, Belle's Friend, Young Lady)
SHAWN MALONE (Fundraiser # 1, Ghost of Christmas Present, Tavern Drunk)
CHRIS MILLER (Topper, Toy Seller, Fezziwig Dancer, Belle's Husband, Tavern Drunk, Caroline's Husband)
GARRETT MILICH (Young Scrooge, Fundraiser # 2, Henry, Tavern Drunk)
ELENA MUNZELL (Upper Crust Daughter, Orson, Belle's daughter, Girl Cratchit)
PAM OLIVER (Ghost of Christmas Past, Old Lady, Hen # 3)
CHRIS SAUNDERS (Fred, Dick Wilkins, Hen # 1)
ELIZA STRIBLING (Fan, Boy Beggar, Fezziwig Dancer, Caroline's Daughter)
CHRISTY STROUP (Young Lady, Belle, India)
LAURA STROUP (Seller, Mrs. Fezziwig, The Charwoman)
RIC STROUP (Upper Crust Gentleman, Jacob Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, Joe The Beetler)
ARTISTIC STAFF
Stage Director - Meredith Bean McMath
Music Director - Diane El-Shafey
Assistant Music Director - Carma Oliverez
Technical Director - Garrett Milich
Stage Manager - Briana Matthews
Master Electrician - Alan Kyte
Properties Master - Pam Oliver
Costume Design - Meredith Bean McMath and Maxine Bean
Costume Assitance - Bethany Juraschek, Nancy Purcell and Briana Matthews
Puppet Maker - Tom Johnson
Set Crew - Pam Oliver, Sonny Oliver, Doug Dickinson and Meredith Bean McMath
House Manager - Jane Munzell
