presents

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

The Scenic Designer and Sound Designer are members of United Scenic Artists Union

CENTER REPERTORY COMPANY OF WALNUT CREEKMichael Butler, Artistic Director Scott Denison, Managing Director

By Charles DickensAdaptation by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James

Directed by Scott DenisonMusical DirectorMark Hanson

Scenic Designer Kelly Tighe

Costume DesignerMelissa Anne Paterson

Original ChoreographyLareen Fender

ChoreographerJennifer Denison Perry

Lighting DesignerJohn Earls

Sound DesignerJeff Mockus

Original Sound DesignNorm Kern

Production Stage ManagerJeff Collister*

Hofmann TheatreDecember 11 - 21, 2008

Lesher Center for the Arts

Season Partner Season Media Sponsor

Season Presenting Sponsor

Siobhan Doherty (Belle) is thrilled to make her Center REP debut in A Christmas Carol. Siobhan most recently performed with CCMT as Dianne Lorimer in 42nd Street. Other credits include Pericles (Marina/Dance Captain) with San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, The Trojan Women (Chorus/Dance Captain) with Aurora Theater, Dolly Wests Kitchen (Dolly) and The Bacchae (Chorus Leader, Dance Captain) at UC Berkeley. Siobhan is a graduate of PCPA where she performed in Beauty & the Beast (Belle/Dance Captain) and A Little Night Music (Malla, u/s Anne & Petra). Siobhan holds degrees in Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies from UC Berkeley. www.siodoherty.com

Jeff Draper (Marley/Topper/Old Joe) has been seen in many Center REP productions, including How the Other Half Loves, Around the World in 80 Days and Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Jeff loves spending his summers with the students of Young REP, where he is Co-Education Director with Kerri Shawn. Jeff would like to thank his husband Dalon for supporting his crazy love of acting and theater.

Daphne Ford (Sophy) is an eighth grader at Stanley Middle School in Lafayette. She is delighted to be back with her A Christmas Carol family for the fourth year. Daphne has performed with CCMT, DLOC, The Willows Theater Company, Pleasanton Playhouse, Antioch Rivertown Theater and The Ballet Joyeux. Favorite Roles include, Scout, (To Kill a Mocking Bird) Sally, (You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) and Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz). Daphne has studied acting with Young REP, ballet, tap and jazz at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, voice with Lynda Kalb and classical voice with Pamela Brooks.

Emily Garcia (Flora Fezziwig/Cherry) is proud to again be a part of this wonderful production. When not on stage, she works as a director, choreographer and producer for local and children’s theatre. Notable roles include Maggie in Jake’s Women (Shellie nominee), Angela in Enter Laughing (Shellie nominee), Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Player Award nominee) and Godspell (Players Award, Best Supporting Actress). She wishes the happiest of holidays to all!

Jason Hite (Young Scrooge) is so happy to be coming back to the A Christmas Carol family! Most recently, he appeared as Billy Lawlor in CCMT’s production of 42nd Street. A proud 3rd year veteran of Center REP’s Young REP program, he would like to thank all of his instructors without whom he would not be where he is. Love to my friends and family for all their love and support.

Courtney Iventosch (Lavinia) is so excited to be a part of Center REP’s production of A Christmas Carol! She is a recent graduate of SJSU, where she was a member of Janie Scott’s Company One. She was most recently seen as Peggy Sawyer in CCMT’s production of 42nd Street. Other credits include Beauty and the Beast (AMTSJ), Smokey Joe’s Café (DeLee, Hillbarn Theatre), and Kiss Me Kate (Cabrillo Stage). She thanks Center REP for this wonderful opportunity and her family and friends for their love and support! Happy Holidays!

Daniel Lachman (Georgie/Dick Wilkins) is excited to return to the production where he made his stage debut ten years ago as Tiny Tim. He has also performed with Center REP in On Borrowed Time and The Man Who Came to Dinner. Daniel received a Bay Area Critics Circle Award (Supporting Actor - Musical) and a Shellie nomination for his performance in the world premiere of The Night of the Hunter at the Willows Theatre. Other Willows appearances include Cats, Oliver!, The Sound of Music, Mountain Days, Children of Eden, and Big River. Daniel has also performed with

CAST

Natalie Bartnick ................................................................FanMichael A. Berg ............................ Mr. Applebaum/Fezziwig Jesse Caldwell* ..................................................Bob CratchitSiobhan Doherty..............................................................BelleJeff Draper ....................................... Marley/Topper/Old Joe Daphne Ford ..................................................................Sophy Emily Garcia ......................................Flora Fezziwig/Cherry Jason Hite .......................................................Young ScroogeCourtney Iventosch .................................................... LaviniaDaniel Lachman ................................. Georgie/Dick WilkinsEvan Lachman ........................................................ Tiny Tim Robin Melnick ..................................Mr. Bagstock - QuartetRyan Meulpolder ....................................... Constable DurdleSara Moore .........................................................Charwoman Marty Newton ............................................................... RudgeAmy Nielson .............................. Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig/Anne Michael O’Brien ..............................................Peter Cratchit Morgan Pavey ..............................................Martha Cratchit Jeanine Perasso ............................ Mrs. Fezziwig/Laundress Jennifer Denison Perry ....................................................Past Jack Powell* ..............................................Ebenezer ScroogeBarbara Reynolds ............................ Miss Skiffins - QuartetTim Reynolds ......................................... Mr. Tiffey - QuartetJesse Robbins .................................................................Bailey Zac Robbins ........................................................ Boy Scrooge Joel Roster ..............................................................Mr. BoxerKevin Sanchez .............................................Nigel WoodwardKerri Shawn .....................................................Mrs. CratchitGrant Strain .............................. Charley/Perch/Turkey Boy Molly Thornton ..............................Miss Augustus - Quartet Grace Whittom ............................................Belinda Cratchit Michael Wiles* ................................................................ FredAdam Winship ................................................... Thief/FutureMichael Ray Wisely* ................................................. PresentOlivia DelRay Wisely ......................................................Polly Wendy Wisely ......................................................... Catherine Stephen Wolff .................................................................. SilasSpecial thanks to Ken Ruta*, Narrator

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Natalie Bartnick (Fan) is elated to make her Center REP debut. She is an 8th grade honors student at Charlotte Wood Middle School in Danville and loves singing and writing. She fully enjoyed participating in the Young REP Workshop last summer. She played Marta in her middle school performance of The Sound of Music last spring. Natalie is also beginning her second year of drama class at CWMS. Natalie has been in the Danville Girls Choir for the last 6 years and was thrilled to be selected for the Honors Choir this year. Thanks Mom, Dad, Logan, Nolan, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. McCabe for their awesome support and inspriation.

Michael A. Berg (Mr. Applebaum/Fezziwig) is happy to be included in this season’s production of A Christmas Carol as Mr. Fezziwig and Mr. Applebaum, one of the solicitors. Michael is very pleased to be working on the costumes as well. He works full time for Center REP as a stitcher and sometime actor and if he is lucky he gets to design as well! You might remember him as Starveling the tailor in last year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Michael and Ophelia (his four legged significant other), wish all of you a bountiful and peaceful holiday season!!

Jesse Caldwell* (Mr. Cratchit) is pleased to return to Center REP as Bob Cratchit. Last spring he played Grandpa Gellman in Caroline, Or Change at TheatreWorks, and followed that with the Preacher in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers at Woodminster. He has appeared at the Knight Theatre as Charlie Dyer in American Citizens’ Theatre’s production of Staircase and as Leon in Playhouse West’s The Love List. He also played the Hoffman Theatre as Old Joe in CCMT’s Damn Yankees. Around the Bay Area he has performed with American Musical Theatre of San Jose, 42nd Street Moon, TheatreFirst, California Conservatory Theatre, Shotgun Players, Crowded Fire and the Willows Theatre. Earlier in his career he toured the country with the National Shakespeare Co. and performed at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

Solano College Theatre (Dead Man Walking, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Seussical!), Galatean Players (Rivets), and DLOC (The Wizard of Oz). Daniel has trained for the past two summers with the Young REP and is a proud member of the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.

Evan Lachman (Tiny Tim), a fourth grader, is excited to return to Center REP’s production of A Christmas Carol in the role of Tiny Tim. He’s even more excited to be performing for the first time with his big brother, Daniel. Evan appeared as John Henry West in The Member of the Wedding with OnStage Theatre, and as the Sultan in the Willows Theatre Conservatory production of Aladdin Jr. In addition to theatre, Evan loves skateboarding and baseball.

Robin Melnick (Mr. Bagstock - Quartet) Returning for his eighth season with A Christmas Carol, Robin looks forward all year to sharing in the holiday spirit with us. His favorite roles elsewhere have included El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Lancelot in Camelot, and Smudge in Forever Plaid and Plaid Tidings. Robin splits his time between the high-tech industry and graduate school and is always grateful to his wife, Mary, and son, Andrew, for all of their love and support.

Ryan Meulpolder (Constable Durdle) is no stranger to the Hofmann stage after having appeared in Grease (Danny Zuko, CCMT), The Full Monty (Teddy, CCMT), Guys and Dolls (Lieutenant Johnny Brannigan, CCMT), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble, CCMT), West Side Story (Diesel, DLOC), and Peter Pan (Bill Jukes, DLOC). A veteran of theatre, Ryan has also appeared in such films as the Wachowski Brothers’ The Matrix Reloaded and Ang Lee’s The Hulk. He’s a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, and he wishes to dedicate this performance to his friends and family for their constant support.

Sara Moore (Charwoman) Sara Moore’s eccentric career has her dividing her time between the Bay Area and New York! Locally, she has appeared with the Aurora Theatre, George Coates Performance Works, Theatre Rhinoceros, The New Pickle Circus, and as principal clown and artistic director for San Francisco’s Make*A*Circus. In New York, Sara performs Off and Off-Off Broadway in a variety of theatres and venues such as P.S. 122, The Vital Theatre and La Mama ETC. Nationally, she has been a physical comic with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Royal Caribbean International, and The Krofft Puppets. Sara is working on her one-woman show, The Super, about an enchanted ride mechanic in Coney Island. Sara is also an ecstatic member of Young REP’s faculty and is thrilled to be a part of Center REP’s glorious A Christmas Carol!

Marty Newton (Rudge) This will be Marty’s second season performing with Center REP’s A Christmas Carol and he’s pleased as punch to be asked back. Marty was most recently seen in CCMT’s 42nd Street playing the harsh, but humble dance captain, Andy Lee. Some of Marty’s favorite roles include Mr. Smee in DLOC’s Peter Pan, Jamison in CCCT’s The Cocoanuts and Benny Southstreet in CCMT’s Guys and Dolls. Marty is also a proud member of the Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.

Amy Nielson (Dorit/Fauna Fezziwig/ Anne) This marks Amy’s 7th production of A Christmas Carol, working both onstage and off, as she has been a costume assistant here since 2002. Recent credits include Ziegfeld’s Favorite in DLOC’s Will Rogers’ Follies and CCMT’s 42nd Street. She is directing and choreographing the upcoming production of Nine, the Musical, this February at Contra Costa Civic Theatre, where Amy also serves on the Artistic Advisory Committee. In her spare time, Amy is a school docent for SFMoMA.

A Christmas Carol. Credits include: CCMT: Beauty and the Beast as Chip the Teacup, Titanic as Jack Thayer, and Guys and Dolls as SON. Center REP: A Christmas Carol. Grant thanks his family for their ever loving support. Grant is also very proud to be a part of the Young REP acting workshop and thanks them for their tremendous help and support.

Molly Thornton (Miss Augustus - Quartet) is very happy to join the cast of A Christmas Carol after having been a fan of this production for years. Ms. Thornton just completed a run of Hot’n’ Cole with Tabard Theatre in San Jose. Other recent credits include Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Miss Flannery) and The Pajama Game (Babe) with Saratoga Drama Group, The Goodbye Girl (Paula/Bus Barn), Lysistrata (Mother/City Lights Theater Company), Honk! (Lowbutt/West Valley Light Opera Association), Urinetown (Mrs. Millenium/Foothill College), City of Angels (Alaura/Sunnyvale Community Players), and her award-winning performances in Mame! (Gooch/West Valley Light Opera Association/ERMA Award), Kiss Me Kate (Kate/West Valley Light Opera Association/ERMA Award) and The Will Rogers Follies (Betty Blake/CCMT/Shellie Award).

Grace Whittom (Belinda Cratchit) This is Grace’s first production with Center REP. She participates in the Young REP summer drama and musical theatre programs and was delighted to play the part of Luisa from The Fantasticks in the musical theatre showcase this past summer. Grace studies ballet at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School, and has been acting, singing and dancing throughout her life. She is ecstatic to be working with Center REP, and would like to thank her family for their continuous love and support!

Michael Wiles* (Fred) marks his 7th A Christmas Carol with Center REP, where he was also seen as Tom in The Glass Menagerie. Other credits include work with the American Conservatory Theater (Edward 2, A Christmas Carol), American Musical Theater (Big River), Aurora Theater (The Persians), Berkeley Repertory Theater (Master Class,The Oresteia), California Shakespeare Festival (Romeo and Juliet, As You Like It, Scapin, Edward II), Capital Stage Company (Fat Pig), Marin Shakespeare Company (King Lear, Macbeth, Much Ado), Pacific Alliance Stage Company (Wonder of the World, Betrayal, All My Sons) San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (Pericles, Love’s Labour’s Lost), and Tacoma Actor’s Guild (Twelfth Night). www.michaelwiles.com.

Adam Winship (Thief/Future) is thrilled to be returning to the Christmas Carol family for his 8th year. He is a proud member of FFAE and board member for CCMT. He hopes this story will spin its way into your hearts and remain there far beyond this Christmas Season.

Michael Ray Wisely* (Present) It gives Michael Ray great joy to return with his family in A Christmas Carol. Recent credits: Devils Disciple at the Aurora, Much Ado About Nothing at Marin Shakes, Glengarry Glen Ross, at San Jose Stage, and Heartbreak House at Berkeley Repertory Theatre as well as appearances with Magic Theatre, San Jose Repertory, American Musical Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, SF Shakes, Willows Theatre and others. Michael Ray has starred and guest-starred in television movies and series and works as a director in theatre and video. Olivia DelRay Wisely (Polly) makes her third appearance with her parents in A Christmas Carol. She began her performing career in the womb as “a sonogram” in a commercial for a local hospital. At 6 years old, her other credits include: Nickel and Dimed and The Imaginary Invalid directed by her mother at Los Positas College in Livermore, as well as performing in a Chinese dance class at Harding Elementary in El Cerrito where she is a 1st grader. Olivia wishes for you to enjoy the show.

Michael O’Brien (Peter Cratchit) is a senior at Amador Valley High School and is grateful to be a part of this production of A Christmas Carol once again. He has been a part of Center REP’s Young REP program for the past three years. His performances there have included Macbeth (Fleance/Mentieth), Galileo (Andrea), and Hamlet (Hamlet 2). When he’s not acting in Walnut Creek, he is an active member of Amador’s drama department. Michael would like to take the time to thank his supportive family, Tom Hanks, and all of his friends and teachers at Young REP who have taught him to “Let be”.

Morgan Pavey (Martha Cratchit) is excited and honored to be in her first production with Center REP! She has participated in the REP’s summer program, Young REP for the past four years, appearing in musical theatre reviews and shows such as Galileo (Philosopher/Town Crier) and Hamlet (Rosencrantz). Morgan is also an active member of the Miramonte High School drama department, most recently appearing in their Fall production of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). She would like to thank her family for being absolutely wonderful 365 days of every year.

Jeanine Perasso (Mrs. Fezziwig) returns for her 11th year with A Christmas Carol. The Holidays just wouldn’t feel right without sharing it with my “Christmas Family”. Other credits include Sr. Robert Anne in VMT’s Nunsense and Messugahnuns!,the Enchanted Wardrobe in CCMT’s Beauty & the Beast, Gail in Act Now!’s Prisoners of Love and part of the band in CCMT’s Guys & Dolls. She wishes to dedicate these performances to Fred & Miranda who are a constant inspiration and have never stopped believing in her.

Jennifer Denison Perry (Past) Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark), and Bonnie (Anything Goes) for which she won a Shellie Award. Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble and is thrilled to be going into her 14th year of teaching for Center REP’s Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. By day Jennifer teaches ballet at Lareen Fender’s The Ballet School in Walnut Creek where she is Director of the School and The Ballet Joyeux. Most recently she directed 42nd Street for CCMT.

Jack Powell* (Ebenezer Scrooge) returns to Center REP for a fifth season of cranky, crotchety, ill tempered and irritable misbehavior. (As well as a bit of fear, awe, and joyous celebration.) He has performed in various theatres in the Bay Area, going back to 1963, including Berkeley Rep, Aurora Theatre, Marin Theatre Co., San Francisco Shakespeare Co., and Marin Shakespeare Co. He toured with the National Shakespeare Co., and played Sir George Thunder in the New York premiere of Wild Oats. Various roles include Gloucester in King Lear, Higgins in Pygmalion, Pickering in My Fair Lady, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Falstaff in Merry Wives of Windsor, Norman Thayer Jr. in On Golden Pond, Hapagon in The Miser, and Dr. Paramore in The Philanderer for which he received a Dean Goodman Award. Various TV credits include roles on Nash Bridges and Midnight Caller.

Barbara Reynolds (Miss Skiffins - Quartet) is delighted to return for her 12th season as part of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol family. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she sings both classical and musical theatre roles. Recent performances include Ragtime (Mother), The 1940s Radio Hour (Ann Collier) and She Loves Me (Amalia) for Saratoga Drama Group; The King and I (Anna) for Pleasanton Playhouse; Ragtime (Mother) with Townsend Opera; A Little Night Music (Mrs. Nordstrom) and Ragtime with TheatreWorks; Show Boat for Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice award

as Magnolia); and H.M.S. Pinafore (Josephine) with The Lamplighters.

Tim Reynolds (Mr. Tiffey - Quartet) returns to Center REP’s A Christmas Carol quartet for the 12th year. Recent credits include Frankie in both Plaid Tidings and Forever Plaid with West Valley Light Opera; Ragtime (Tateh), The 1940s Radio Hour (Johnny Cantone) and She Loves Me (Georg) for Saratoga Drama Group; The Full Monty (Harold) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) with City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose; and Brigadoon (Dean Goodman Choice award as Tommy) with Foothill Music Theatre. He has a theater degree from Northwestern University, and looks forward to appearing as Billy Flynn in Chicago for Saratoga Drama Group in May/June 2009. Jesse Robbins (Bailey) is 12 years old and attends 6th grade at Foothill Middle School. Jesse has performed in many school plays as Aladdin, Shirkhan in the Jungle Book and The Wolf in The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf. Jesse hopes to be an actor one day and has modeled for Mervyns ads as well as performed in several trade show videos. He also played a main role as Jonathon Swain, a boy with HIV in a Japanese T.V. show. Jesse plays tennis and soccer and is an avid rock collector.

Zac Robbins (Boy Scrooge) is twelve years old and attends Foothill Middle School. He has performed in several school plays including Jungle Book, Aladdin and The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf where he had primary roles. Zac plays piano and trombone and is in the Jazz Band at school. He loves to sing and has participated in the Contra Costa Children’s Chorus for two years. Zac’s twin brother Jesse is also in this performance. Zac loves science and math but math is his favorite subject.

Joel Roster (Mr. Boxer) 2008 marks Mr. Roster’s sixth consecutive year with the A Christmas Carol family and his seventh appearance with Center REP, having appeared in last season’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Snug) under the direction of Michael Butler. An honored playwright and Shellie award recipient, Mr. Roster has of late exercised his directing chops with Town Hall Theatre’s smash hits Bleacher Bums and the East Bay premiere of The Graduate.His original piece One Night At The Hotel Grand receives its world premiere at Town Hall in May of 2009. Joel is also a drama instructor for teenagers and a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. He wishes to dedicate this performance to his sister Emily, who’s currently showing Arizona a thing or two.

Kevin Sanchez (Nigel Woodward) is very excited to join this incredible cast for his third year! His stage credits include roles as Bob Bradley in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and as Bertram Cates in Inherit the Wind. An executive board member of the Diablo Regional Arts Association, Kevin dedicates his performance to everyone in our community who supports the Lesher Center for the Arts.

Kerri Shawn (Mrs. Cratchit) gratefully returns to the role of Mrs. Cratchit this holiday season. Last season Kerri had great fun playing Mrs. Boyle in REP’s The Mousetrap and is looking forward to joining the cast for Center REP’s Enchanted April this spring. Kerri serves as Co-Director of Education for Center REP, is a resident actress at Tao House for the Eugene O’Neill Foundation, and is a company member with Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble and PlayGround.

Grant Strain (Charley/Perch/Turkey Boy) loves to act, ride his bike, and watch T.V. with his family. He gets good grades and just turned 13 years old. This is his first year playing Colby Knox (Turkey Boy) but is his 6th performance of Center REPs

and was the pianist for Center REPertory’s Noel and Gertie. Mark is glad to be working once again with Center REPertory on this timeless holiday classic - happy holidays to all!

Melissa Anne Paterson (Costume Manager) In addition to running the costume shop for Center REP, Melissa has also designed many shows for the company including Suds: A Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Rocket Man, Cowgirls, and A Christmas Carol. She frequently works with the Contra Costa Musical Theatre Co. (Annie, Damn Yankees, Grease, South Pacific, Beauty and the Beast (Shellie Award), Guys and Dolls (Shellie Award), Cinderella, 42nd St.) Other notable credits: Town Hall Theatre Co.; MacBeth, 5 Women Wearing the Same Dress, The Rocky Horror Show, Copenhagen, Let’s Go To Casablanca!, Lend Me A Tenor, Bleacher Bums, The Weir, Moonlight and Magnolias, Baby Be Mine. Antioch Rivertown Theatre Co.; A Funny Thing Happened… (Shellie Award), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Shellie Award).

Jeff Collister* (Production Stage Manager) has been Production Manager for Center REP since 1995. He has stage-managed 40 productions since starting with the company in 1989. Favorites include Almost Heaven - John Denver’s America, Becoming Memories, Suds: The Rockin’ 60’s Musical Soap Opera, Godspell, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and numerous productions of A Christmas Carol. Jeff has been nominated for Shellie Awards for his direction of Urinetown, the Musical and Grease for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. He worked as Production Stage Manager for Dame Edna - The Royal Tour in San Francisco. Jeff is a Shellie Award winning actor and a member of Actors Equity Association. Happy Holidays!

Michael Butler (Artistic Director) is in his third season as Artistic Director of Center REP, where he directed Around the World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Marriage of Figaro, How the Other Half Loves, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Nixon’s Nixon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as playing Paravicini in REP’s production of The Mousetrap. His directing work has also been seen at San Jose Rep, Cleveland Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Marin Theatre Company, Aurora Theatre Company, San Jose Stage, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, and The Juilliard School, of which he is a graduate. As an actor, Michael has worked on Broadway and off, in regional theatres, film and television. He is a published songwriter and the co-writer and composer of numerous music-theatre pieces, which he has directed and performed in NY, LA, and at festivals in India and Morocco. In his career as a performer he has also danced with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company, portrayed the villainous Pierre LeChance on The Guiding Light, and played guitar and harmonica in many rock, blues, and country western bands at all the notable dives in NYC.

OUR SPONSORS

Chevron (Season Sponsor) has been the leading corporate sponsor of Center REP and the Lesher Center for the Arts for the past eight years. In fact, Chevron has been a partner of the LCA since the beginning, providing funding for capital improvements, event sponsorships and more. Chevron generously supports every Center REP show throughout the season, and is the primary sponsor for events including the Chevron Family Theatre Festival in July. Chevron has proven itself not just as a generous supporter, but also a valued friend of the arts.

Diablo Regional Arts Association (DRAA) (Season Partner) is both the primary fundraising organization of the Lesher Center for the Arts (LCA) and the City of Walnut Creek’s appointed curator for the LCA’s audience outreach. DRAA’s role in the community is all about building partnerships with the focused goal of enhancing artistic quality at the LCA and providing opportunities for everyone to enjoy the arts. Through partnerships with the LCA and its producers, individual donors, corporate and foundation sponsors and the City of Walnut Creek, DRAA plays a vital role in advancing the arts for the betterment of the community. Please visit us online at www.draa.org.

Contra Costa Times (Season Media Sponsor) In the East Bay, the largest newspaper of the Bay Area News Group is the Contra Costa Times and its sister editions, the West County Times, Valley Times, San Ramon Valley Times and East County Times. The Times, read by nearly a half a million people each day in Contra Costa, eastern Alameda and southern Solano counties, was judged the best newspaper in its circulation category in the state five times in a six-year period by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. In

2005, it won the prestigious national Freedom of Information Award from Associated Press Managing Editors. And, in 2007, it was honored by the California Newspaper Publishers Association for its leadership on public records. Bay Area News Group-East Bay print and online products reach more than 2.7 million adults over the course of one week. The California Newspapers Partnership, headquartered in San Ramon, CA, is the largest newspaper publisher in the Bay Area and the state. Its co-owner MediaNews Group is the fourth largest publishing company in the United States.

Wendy Wisely (Catherine) Wendy’s previous Center REP productions include The Diviners, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Room Service. Originally from Seattle, she has acted and directed at such theaters as San Jose Stage Co., City Lights, Willows, California Shakespeare Theatre, Role Players, Town Hall, Western Stage, and Pacific Alliance. Wendy teaches theater at Las Positas College and Santa Rosa Junior College and is thrilled that her family is working together again in this production.

Stephen Wolff (Silas) is a 7th grader at Foothill Middle Schoool. He appeared as a townsperson in Cinderella and as a young suitor and bagel boy in Fiddler on the Roof for CCMT. He played Danny in DLOC’s Brylcreem and Tom in Schoolhouse Rock, Jr. Stephen is honored to return to A Christmas Carol.

CREATIVE TEAM

Scott Denison (Director/Managing Director) recently concluded 35 years of service as has directed over 150 productions, including Center REP’s highly successful production The Wizard of Oz and CCMT’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and the last ten productions of A Christmas Carol. Mr. Denison is the director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, and the creator of the Contra Costa County Shellie Awards. He has also designed lights for over 250 productions, including Center REP’s production of Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, Cowgirls, Suds, Shirley Valentine and Dear Liar, and CCMT’s Titanic and Guys and Dolls. As General Manager of the Lesher Center for the Arts, he coordinates over 900 events annually.

Kelly Tighe (Scenic Designer) Off Broadway: The Fantasticks, Almost Heaven. National tours: Movin’ Out, Mooseltoe. Regional: Dreamgirls, My Way, Aida, Cats, The Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar (Gateway Playhouse); Beauty/Beast, Grease, Titanic, The Who’s Tommy, (Contra Costa Musical Theatre); Annie, Kiss Me Kate, Joseph/Dreamcoat (Ohio’s Carousel Dinner Theater); West Side Story, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Diablo Light Opera Co.); Around the World in 80 Days, The Pavilion, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, A Christmas Carol (Center REPertory Company); The Laramie Project, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (PPAS/ NYC). Mr. Tighe served as the resident Scenic Designer for Western Michigan’s Cherry County Playhouse (The Music Man starring William Katt and Josie DeGuzman, and the world premiere of Will’s Women starring Amanda McBroom), and Center REP in the San Francisco Bay Area. Television: Sunday Night Woah! (starring Mo Rocca) for Animal Planet as well as several spots for Verizon, Kit Kat, Disney, and the Oxygen network. Awards and recognitions: Northern California’s “Shellie”, Drama-Logue, and the S.F. Bay Area’s Outer Critic’s Circle. Kelly resides in New York City.

Jeff Mockus (Sound Designer) is delighted to return to Center REP, having previously collaborated on Ain’t Misbehavin’, Musical Of Musicals: The Musical, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Around The World In 80 Days, and The Marriage Of Figaro. His recent work includes The Circle and The Rainmaker for ACT, Pericles, An Ideal Husband, and Uncle Vanya for Cal Shakes, Tracy’s Tiger for Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical for Utah Shakespeare Festival. Most recently, Jeff was called in to create sound effects for The World Of Nick Adams at Davies Symphony Hall, and his upcoming projects include A Picasso at San Jose Rep, and the world premiere adaptation of War Music at ACT.

John Earls (Lighting Designer) Since joining the production staff at the Lesher Center for the Arts he has designed or directed lighting for numerous shows inlcuding the Shellie Awards, Animal Rescue Foundation’s Stars to the Rescue, and Lesher Speaker Series: Newsmakers. His work inlcudes Rocky Horror Show at Town Hall Theatre. John owes his introduction to the live stage to the ACME Theatre Company.

Mark Hanson (Musical Director) returns to A Christmas Carol for a third season. He conducted CCMT’s Fiddler on the Roof in the Hofmann Theatre. Previously, Mark conducted Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Sunday in the Park with George, all for CCMT

CITY COUNCILGary Skrel, Mayor

Susan McNulty RaineyKish RajanCindy Silva

Robert SimmonsCITY MANAGER

Gary PokornyDIRECTOR

Arts, Recreation and Community ServicesBarry Gordon

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO:Massimo’s Ristorante

Walnut Creek Baking CompanyWaters Moving and Storage

Associated Services-Alta WaterSelix Formal Wear of Walnut Creek

Shannon and Mike DemersHyatt Summerfield Suites

Audience ServucesTicket Office Staff

Rebecca O’ ConnorFaye Antaky

Caroline DennisCaitlin Downing

Kirsten JonesKarla Kopfhammer

Jennifer StronesProduction Services

Production Services CoordinatorToni KilcoyneTechnical Staff

Doug AlveyJoe Coe

John EarlsNicole Iannaccone

Sid LucasIain McKaySteve Pino

Garrick SchusterJosh Stouffer

Costumes Costume ManagerMelissa Paterson

Assistant CostumersMichael A. Berg

Amy Nielson Administration

Asst. to the Managing DirectorGail Pfeifer

ProgramLinda Nomura

Usher CoordinatorJody Cook

Managing Director - Scott DenisonArtistic Director - Michael Butler

EducationCo-Directors of Education

Jeff DraperKerri Shawn

MarketingMarketing Director

Gabe MarinMarketing Associate

Brian KatzProduction

Production ManagerJeff Collister

TechnicalTechnical Director

Jim PeliwoCrew Chief

Derek MohlerMaster Electrician

Tirzah TylerCarpenter

Robert E. RigganAssistant Stage Manager/

Props CoordinatorJoe Coe

Quartet ManagerBarbara Reynolds

Production AssistantsAdam ElsberryStephen GozzaAlex Logemann

Kel Mac CormacErin O’Donaghue

Erin ReppSeth Wright

Center REPertory Company

ARTS COMMISSIONMichael Fotheringham, Chair

Fritz Brunner, Vice ChairLonna Coleman

Carol FowlerReginald MarshallSuzanne MasellaJacquelyn Smith

THANK YOU TO OUR OPENING NIGHT DINNER SPONSORS:

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine BarThe San Franciscan