The story behind the most famous holiday story

 December 14 – 30

Recommended for ages 10+

A DICKENS CAROL 

written by Ned Crowley          directed by Matt Gall and Kevin Theis

Before Scrooge.  Before Jacob Marley.  Charles Dickens had his own ghosts to contend with.

A Dickens Carol is an all-new holiday tradition that re-imagines the story of Scrooge from Dickens’ point of view and real-life events.

It’s 1842 Victorian London, and Dickens popularity is on the wane.  His marriage and finances are in trouble and he has become embittered towards life itself.   Yes, in a way, Dickens has become a bit of a Scrooge.   A character he has yet to even create! But on a cold Christmas eve, his fortunes take a dramatic turn when a train crash sends Dickens into the icy Kent river. There, in a sinking carriage, Dickens is visited by three Spirits who lead him on a journey through his past, present, and future.  A journey that transforms his life and inspires him to write his most celebrated work ever. “A Dickens Carol” is not only the carol behind the most famous carol of all time.   It’s an all-new twist on a family ghost story that promises to melt the heart of any Scrooge out there.

DATES

December 14 – 30, 2018 Thurs-Sat at 8pm  |  Sat & Sun matinees at 3pm 1st PREVIEW Friday, December 14th at 8pm | 2nd PREVIEW Saturday, December 15th at 3pm OPENING NIGHT Saturday, December 15th at 8pm RUNNING TIME 90mins

TICKETS

General admission $35 | Seniors $28 | Students & Children $15 Preview: General admission $20 Questions: Call our Box office (708) 300-9396

PERFORMANCE VENUE

MADISON STREET THEATRE 1010 Madison Street Oak Park IL 60302 Only 25 minutes from downtown Chicago!

Writer Ned Crowley has been part of the Chicago theater scene since the mid 80’s as a founding member of the comedy group White Noise where he co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in such infamous productions as The Book of Blanche, Stumpy’s Gang and Ad-nauseum. He later went on to direct others on stage including Amy Poehler and Matt Walsh in The Upright Citizens Brigade and, more recently, writing and directing his own feature film; the award-winning dark-comedy Middle Man starring his friend and star of TV’s Parks and Recreation, Jim O’Heir. Middle Man recently took top honors at the Seattle International Film Fest and the Edmonton International Film Fest before going onto a national theatrical release.  Today, Middle Man can be seen on iTunes, Amazon and Netflix. Ned is also the writer of the festival favorite and award-winning dramatic comedy Parting Words. A published children’s book author and illustrator, Ned currently serves as the U.S. Chief Creative Officer for mcgarrybowen advertising where he has written, produced, and overseen hundreds of commercial productions.Ned currently and happily lives in Oak Park with his wife and 3 daughters.

A DICKENS CAROL 

written by Ned Crowley directed by Kevin Theis

Before Scrooge.  Before Jacob Marley.  Charles Dickens had his own ghosts to contend with.

Announcing the world premiere of “A Dickens Carol”.  An all-new holiday tradition that re-imagines the story of Scrooge from Dickens’ point of view and real-life events.

It’s 1842 Victorian London, and Dickens popularity is on the wane.  His marriage and finances are in trouble and he has become embittered towards life itself.   Yes, in a way, Dickens has become a bit of a Scrooge.   A character he has yet to even create!

But on a cold Christmas eve, his fortunes take a dramatic turn when a train crash sends Dickens into the icy Kent river.

There, in a sinking carriage, Dickens is visited by three Spirits who lead him on a journey through his past, present, and future.  A journey that transforms his life and inspires him to write his most celebrated work ever.

A Dickens Carol” is not only the carol behind the most famous carol of all time.   It’s an all-new twist on a family ghost story that promises to melt the heart of any Scrooge out there.

DATES

December 14 – 30, 2018 Thurs-Sat at 8pm  |  Sat & Sun at 3pm 1st PREVIEW Friday, December 14th at 8pm | 2nd PREVIEW Saturday, December 15th at 3pm OPENING NIGHT Saturday December 15th at 8pm RUNNING TIME 90mins

TICKETS

General admission $35 | Seniors $28 | Students & Children $15 Preview: General admission $20 Questions: Call our Box office 708-300-9396

PERFORMANCE VENUE

MADISON STREET THEATRE 1010 Madison Street Oak Park IL 60302 Only 25 minutes from downtown Chicago!

Writer Ned Crowley has been part of the Chicago theater scene since the mid 80’s as a founding member of the comedy group White Noise where he co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in such infamous productions as The Book of Blanche, Stumpy’s Gang and Ad-nauseum. He later went on to direct others on stage including Amy Poehler and Matt Walsh in The Upright Citizens Brigade and, more recently, writing and directing his own feature film; the award-winning dark-comedy Middle Man starring his friend and star of TV’s Parks and Recreation, Jim O’Heir. Middle Man recently took top honors at the Seattle International Film Fest and the Edmonton International Film Fest before going onto a national theatrical release.  Today, Middle Man can be seen on iTunes, Amazon and Netflix. Ned is also the writer of the festival favorite and award-winning dramatic comedy Parting Words. A published children’s book author and illustrator, Ned currently serves as the U.S. Chief Creative Officer for mcgarrybowen advertising where he has written, produced, and overseen hundreds of commercial productions.Ned currently and happily lives in Oak Park with his wife and 3 daughters.

THE CAST

Kevin Theis (Dickens) Kevin happily returns to reprise the role of Charles Dickens, which he proudly premiered last year.  Other roles with OPFT include Salieri in Amadeus, Edward in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Jeff nomination), Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and the title role in Richard III.  He has appeared at a number of theatres across Chicago, including the Goodman Theatre, Next, Theatre Wit, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and the Irish Theatre of Chicago, where he is an ensemble member.  As a director, Kevin has staged nine shows with the Festival (including last summer’s Fair Maid of the West) as well as staging shows for the Timber Lake Playhouse, Irish Theatre, Michigan Shakespeare Festival and Lifeline, among others.

Jhenai Mootz (Kate/Catherine) is honored to have been working with OPFT since 2006 as an actor where she has been seen as Lady Macduff/Hecate in Macbeth, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Osric in Hamlet, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Lady Anne in Richard III, Raina in Arms and the Man, Chrissie in Dancing at Lughnasa, Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing, Christine in Murder by the Book and Madge in Picnic. Other credits around town: Saint Joan, Hay Fever, Man & Superman, Pygmalion, The Widowers’ Houses, The Millionairess, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Arms and the Man (ShawChicago), Sparky!, Jane Eyre, The Moonstone (Lifeline Theatre), The Mystery of Edgar Allen Poe (First Folio Shakespeare Company), The Women and The Philadelphia Story (Circle Theatre). Jhenai joined the staff in 2016 as OPFT’s Managing Director and holds a B.F.A. from the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program. Also a visual artist, Jhenai’s artwork can currently be found in the lobby of the Lifeline Theater & Andersonville Galleria, O’hare Airport, Northwestern hospital gift shops and on her website at JhenaiMootz.com

Erica Bittner (Female Prisoner/Mrs.Ratchford/Dilbert/Past/Ensemble) Erica Bittner returns to OPFT where she is an Artistic Associate and has appeared in Pygmalion and Love’s Labours Lost.  Favorite credits include: King Charles III (Cardinal Stage Company); Bad Jews (Theatre Wit); The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe (First Folio Theatre); A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane); Richard III: No Beast So Fierce (Oracle Theatre); and work with Piven Theatre, Music Theatre Works, Redmoon, One Year Chekhov, GreatWorks, Chicago Dramatists, Victory Gardens, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. International: The Two Noble Kinsmen (RADA) and Momentary Opera (Redmoon).  Television: Chicago Fire, American Greed.  Erica holds a BFA from the Chicago College of Performing Arts and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Represented by Gray Talent Group.

Mark Lancaster (Father Christmas/Winterfezz/Ghost of Christmas Present) Mark Lancaster is a transplant from Dallas, TX, and has many clever responses to the question “Where’s your accent?” He moved to Chicago in 2007 once he decided to trade climates in exchange for an acting career. In 2012 he graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University with an MFA in Acting and an Advanced Actor Combatant status with the Society of American Fight Directors. Since then he’s worked mostly as a burlesque emcee, a creature effects model, a husband (non-equity), and petter of cats (uncredited). Mark is very easy to spot in crowds and at great distances.

Andrew Bailes (Ratchford/Young Dickens/Ensemble) is thrilled to make his Oak Park debut. He’s had the pleasure of working with the side project, Steep Theater, Strawdog Theatre Company, and Victory Gardens. Film credits include No Resolution, directed by Tim Kasher. Andrew has twice performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, traveling to Scotland with Wishbone Theatre Collective and, most recently, Forks & Hope Ensemble. As an improviser, Andrew has collaborated with the Annoyance and Chicago Improv Studio. He received an MFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Prior to UF, Andrew was a Resident Actor and Teaching Artist at Florida Studio Theater. He is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group.

Robert Koon (Shakespeare/Seargent Joe/Ensemble) Robert is pleased to be working with OPFT once again, after appearing in 2016’s The Taming of the Shrew.  Recent appearances include Seminar for Spartan Theatre Company, The Woman in Black for WildClaw Theatre Company, Chagrin Falls for The Agency Theatre Collective (Jeff nomination), and Human Terrain for Broken Nose Theatre.  He is a Resident Playwright Alumnus at Chicago Dramatists, where his plays Homecoming 1972 and St. Colm’s Inch were produced; and he is a former Playwright Resident at the William Inge Center for the Arts.  Robert is an Associate Artist with 16th Street Theatre and Broken Nose Theatre, and he is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Kevin Tre’Von Patterson(Chapman/Foreman/Ensemble)  is extremely excited to be making his OPFT debut. He was recently seen in Michigan Shakespeare Festival 18’ season. Other credits of his include “Not about Nightingales”(Raven Theatre), “Rutherfords Travels” (Pegasus Theatre), “The Marvin Gaye Story” (Black Ensemble Theatre), and the Jeff award wining (Best Ensemble) production of “Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys” (Raven Theatre). Kevin would like to thank his friends and family for there support. He is represented by the lovely ladies of Big Mouth Talent.

Kate Vargulich (Georgy/Mrs. Dilber/Musician) is making her OPFT debut! Her favorite credits include Nurse Ratched in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (Illinois State University), Space Monk in ENGAGE! A CHOOSE-YOUR-OWN SCI-FIGHT ADVENTURE (Stellar Productions), Elf Effy Greenglow at Winter Wonderfest (Navy Pier), a Raptor Puppeteer for UNIVERSAL STUDIOS’ JURASSIC WORLD: EXHIBITION (Field Museum), Sister James in DOUBT: A PARABLE (Harper College Theater Ensemble), Sandra Bloom in BIG FISH (Elgin Community College), and being a member of the Commedia dell’Arte cast at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Kate graduated from Illinois State University in 2016 with a BA in Acting, and currently resides in Chicago, IL. Much love to her family and friends, especially Tommy.

Sam Theis (Peter Ratchford/Young Charles/Mary Dickens) – Sam returns to Oak Park Festival Theatre for a fourth time, having appeared in last year’s Dickens Carol as well as Macbeth and Richard III in Austin Gardens.  Sam, a student at Oak Park River Forest High School, has appeared at the school in the ensemble of Hairspray and as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing.  Sam was a finalist in last year’s English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue competition and traveled to New York for the finals and performed at Lincoln Center.  Sam has also played, among other roles Svetlana in Chess and Margot in Diary of Anne Frank with CAST in Oak Park.

Frederick Harris (Conductor/Future/Ensemble) is happy to be returning to OPFT this winter. Fredericks most recent productions include Crowns: Fleetwood-Jourdain (Preacher) The View Upstairs: Circle Theatre (Willie) Company: Mercury Theater Chicago (Harry); Merrily We Roll Along: Porchlight Music Theatre (Jerome); A Dickens Carol: Oak Park Festival Theatre (Conductor); Little Shop of Horrors: William Street Repertory Theatre (Audrey II); Ragtime: Griffin Theatre (Booker T. Washington) Jeff Award for Best Musical; The Wiz: Kokandy Productions (The Wiz)Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical; Direct from Death Row, The Scottsboro Boys: Raven Theatre (Piano Player)Jeff Award for Best Ensemble; Nunsense: Beverly Arts Center (Sis Hubert); Hands on a Hard Body:William Street Repertory Theatre (Ronald). Frederick is thankful to God and the Spirit of his Ancestors for continuing to give love and light to his life. T.E.

Magaret Garofalo (Mrs. Winterfezz, Hall/Mrs. Oliver/Vendor 1/Ensemble)  This is Margaret’s first appearance with OPFT She holds a BFA in Dramatic Writing from SUNY Purchase and an MA in Classical Theatre from Kingston University – London. Margaret has performed professionally in London, Italy, Scotland, and the USA. Her Chicago area credits include Metropolis’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” (Horatio), JPAC’s “Nevermore” (Muddy) and Citadel Theatre’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Gymnasia). Some of her New England credits include” The Pirates of Penzance” (Director) Stowe Theatre Guild, “School for
Lies” (Dubois) Waterbury Festival Players, “Oliver!” (Widow Corney) Lyric Theatre Company, “Hamlet” (Rosencrantz) Champlain Theatre, “Sweeney Todd”(Mrs Lovett) Stowe Theatre Guild, and “Secret Garden” (Martha) STG.

Delilah Lane (Little Kate/Little Belle/Ensemble) Delilah Lane is a fifth grader at the British International School of Chicago, South Loop.  She is thrilled to be back at Oak Park Festival Theater for her second year in A Dickens Carol. Other major theater credits include: Neverbird Project’s Pinocchio at Chicago Children’s Theater; Journey for the Sun at Actors’ Gymnasium; and shows with the Lookinglass Theater Youth Ensemble.  She also enjoys performing outdoors at Navy Pier.  Other interests include reading, swimming, and playing piano and saxophone.  She is represented by Stewart Talent.

Miles Chong (Blackie/Walter Ratchford/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his Oak Park Festival Theatre debut and to be in the company of a Dickens Carol. His credits include:South Pacific (Drury Lane), Peter Pan(Music Theater Works), Saved by the Bard(Northlight Theatre), and Mary Poppins, TheLion King, James and the Giant Peach(Windy City Performs). Miles is a Chicago Public School Student at Wm H. Taft Academic Center where he is a member of the improv and drama clubs. When not performing, Miles enjoys attending the theatre, researching different musicals, learning magic tricks, and traveling. Thanks to my parents, sister, Gray Talent, extended family and friends for supporting me through this journey.

Scott Sawa (UNDERSTUDY Dickens/Shakespeare/Ensemble) is excited to work with OPFT for the first time!  Chicago credits include: Ten Dollar House (Pride Films and Plays); Hey! Dancin! Hey! Musical!, The Next Big Thing (Factory Theater); Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, We Found a Hat (Lifeline); BewilderedPoseidon (Hell in a Handbag).  Scott has also worked with Nothing Special, iO, Refuge Theater Project, Compass Creative Dramatics, and First Folio Theater.  TV: Chicago Fire.  When pronounced correctly, Scott Sawa rhymes with “Hot Lava”.  Find more at www.ScottSawa.com.

Brian Healy (UNDERSTUDY Ratchford/Conductor/Ensemble) Brian is happy to be back at Oak Park Festival Theatre where he was an intern and an understudy for the production of Hamlet in 2014. His other Chicago Theatre credits include Letters Home with Griffin Theatre, Women in Jeopardy with First Folio Theatre, Candide and Die Fledermaus with Music Theatre Works, and Mother Goose’s Garden with Emerald City Theatre. TV Credits include Chicago Fire (NBC). He is a proud graduate of the BFA Acting Program at DePaul University.

Lucas Puntillo (UNDERSTUDY Walter/Blackie/Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Oak Park Festival Theater debut. His credits include: Freaky Friday (Bravo Academy), Willie Wonka, Jr. (Ovation Academy & the Junior Theater Festival) and Lion King, Jr. (Bravo Academy). Lucas is a 6th grader at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park. When he’s not performing, he loves hanging out with his three brothers, playing baseball, running and reading.

Sara Deodhar (UNDERSTUDY Little Kate/Little Belle/Ensemble)Sara is very excited to be making her Oak Park Festival Theatre debut. She would like to thank OPFT for giving her the opportunity to be involved in her first professional production! She would also like to thank her teachers Michelle, Yando, and Aaron from Porchlight Music Theatre for their wisdom and support. Sara has been involved in numerous productions through Emerald City Theatre, including Wicked, Hamilton, School of Rock, and Annie Jr. Her interests include attending musical theater shows, swimming, reading, writing songs, and playing piano. Sara is a 4th grader at Agassiz Elementary School in Chicago

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Oak Park Festival Theatre is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, charitable organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.[give_form id=”4488″]