Farndalew Final

Written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin, Jr. Loosely based on Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ Directed by Shelby Mays

December 5-2o, 2025

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm Sunday december 14th at 2:30pm Tom and Martha Smith Event Center at the Lee Wallace Family Theater

THE CAST LIST Mrs. Reece ...........................................................................Lauren Newell Thelma ................................................................................... Beth Bentley Gordon .................................................................................. Kevin Dietzel Mercedes ............................................................................. Hannah Wells Felicity ............................................................................... Jackie Edwards

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Director ……........................................................................... Shelby Mays Stage Manager …......................................................... Kenzie Clonginger Scenic & Lighting Designer …..................................................... Rod Oden Lighting Design ….............................................................. Caleb S. Garner Sound Design ................................................................. Camden Trimmer Costume Assistance …........ Debbie Seeley, Beth Bentley, Sarah Deutsch, Lindsey Litka-Montes, Rod Oden Set Construction .............................................. Ryan Miles and Rod Oden Production Music................................................................... Matty Montes SPECIAL THANKS SPENCER & DEBBIE SEELEY MATTY MONTES

TOTAL RUN TIME: 2 Hours

There will be a 15-Minute Intermission between acts.

Please note: Videotaping or recording of any kind is strictly prohibited by law. Actors will be traversing the entire space.

This performance includes the use of bright flashing lights, light atmospherics, loud noises, and some adult language.

“Farndale Avenue ... Christmas Carol” Is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE PLAYERS

LAUREN NEWELL (Mrs. Reece) is excited to be back onstage at Lee Street Theatre in The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Christmas Carol. She teaches theatre at Corvian Community High School, where she has directed shows such as Matilda Jr., Clue, The Wizard of Oz and Sense and Sensibility. Lauren also works as a travel agent and loves exploring new places whenever she gets the chance. Whether in the classroom, on stage, or abroad, she’s passionate about storytelling and is grateful to be part of this fun and unique production.

BETH BENTLEY (Thelma) Beth has enjoyed volunteering at Lee St Theatre for many years, on and off the stage. She currently sits as a member of the LST Board. Some of her favorite roles have been: Veta Simmons in Harvey, Mrs. Soames in Our Town, Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr, Mrs. White in Clue, and Myra Bruhl in Deathtrap. She would like to thank her family for supporting her, and her mother for inspiring her.

Big thank you for supporting community theatre. This one is for her beautiful (not so) little baby girl, Olivia. Merry Christmas, and God bless us everyone.

KEVIN DIETZEL (Gordon) Kevin Dietzel keeps finding himself on stage with British accents. He’s recently been Anglocized in Witness for the Prosecution and And Then There Were None. He also appeared in Titanic at Lee Street. When not performing here, you can find him down at Piedmont Players where he is Managing Director.

HANNAH WELLS (Mercedes) Hannah Wells graduated from High Point University in 2023 and is excited to be in her first onstage role at Lee Street Theatre! Some of her most recent roles are Lady Rowena in “Once Upon A Mattress” at Uwharrie Players, Jess in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised]” at Old Courthouse Theatre, the Judge/Teddy Bear in “Miracle on 34th Street” and Ensemble in “Sweeney Todd” at the Meroney Theatre. She hopes you enjoy the show!

THE PLAYERS JACKIE EDWARDS (Felicity) Jackie enjoyed the performing arts during middle school and high school, playing clarinet and singing. Her favorite performance was Godspell. Jackie returned to the stage with her debut with the Piedmont Players last Christmas in Miracle on 34th Street and is thrilled to join Lee Street theater for the holiday performance.

BEHIND THE SCENES SHELBY MAYS (Director) Shelby is SO excited to bring Farndale to life on the Lee Street stage. While a veteran of theatre in many aspects, Lee Street has given her the opportunity to bring this show to life in her directorial debut! This has been a remarkable experience. She cannot thank the cast enough for their tremendous dedication, hard work, and eagerness to explore. They have truly brought these characters to life and she could not be more proud of their journey. She would also like to thank Rod for the opportunity, and the production team for all their efforts to make this show a reality. Shelby would like to wish you a very happy holiday and she hopes you enjoy the whimsy and absurdity that is Farndale Christmas Carol!

KENZIE CLONINGER (Stage Manager) Kenzie is thrilled to be back in the booth for Farnsdale! You may have seen Kenzie featured as a Booth Gargoyle during shows such as “Young Frankenstein”, “Holmes/Poirot”, “Disenchanted”, and many more. Kenzie would like to thank the incredible cast and crew for their work, the directors for their guidance, the production team for their craftsmanship, and her family for the constant support.

Please enjoy the show!

CAMDEN TRIMMER (Lighting Design)(he/him) is quite jolly to be designing here at Lee Street again, and thanks you for coming to see the show! Camden is a recent graduate of Catawba College, majoring in Theatre Arts Administration and Directing. He has recently been unseen as Sound Designer of Witness for the Prosecution, The Holiday Channel… and Sound/ Projection Operator of Lizzie here at Lee Street Theatre, as well as Director and Sound Designer of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and Alabaster at Catawba College. He hopes you all have a tremendously fun time at this goofy show!

BEHIND THE SCENES CALEB GARNER (Lighting Design) Caleb is an award-winning Lighting and Sound Designer based in Charleston, SC. With extensive experience in OffBroadway, regional, and educational theatre, his designs have earned him eight national and regional awards. A North Carolina native, Caleb holds a B.A. and B.F.A. from Catawba College and an M.F.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is driven by a passion for artistic collaboration and is deeply grateful for the support of his colleagues, friends, and family. Currently, Caleb serves as the Resident Lighting Designer and TheatreWings CoCoordinator at Charleston Stage Company and is an adjunct lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the College of Charleston.

He is also a proud member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. See more of his work at www.calebsgarner. com or on Instagram @csgtheld ROD ODEN (Executive Artistic Director/Scenic & Lighting Designer) Whether for the audiences on a professional stage or instructing at educational institutions and professional workshops, Rod Oden is proud to have over 25 years experience directing and designing in a variety of venues, genres and audiences.

Rod has directed on stages from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and in virtually every type ofvenue. He enjoys working alongside community members, volunteers and students to help grow and create professional experiences in the theatre. Recent credits include In the Heights, Lombardi, Jekyll and Hyde the Musical, Legally Blonde the Musical, Tick, Tick, Boom!, Wit, The Play That Goes Wrong (NC Premiere), CLUE, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and How I learned to Drive. He has worked with countless community theaters, educational organizations and professional troupes to produce quality, high-end productions audiences have enjoyed watching. Rod is blessed and thankful for his beautiful wife Raquel and his four precious boys Tristan, Lucas, Jamie and Sylar. He also enjoys spending time with his two lovely daughters Ariel and Isabelle.

SEPTEMBER 5-20, 2025

OCTOBER 17 - NOVEMBER 1, 2025

NOVEMBER 7 - 22, 2025

DECEMBER 5-20, 2025

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JANUARY 3 - FEBRUARY 7, 2026

MARCH 6 - 21, 2026

APRIL 3-18, 2026

MAY 1-16, 2026

JUNE 5-20, 2026

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Our Partners Make it Possible!

Producer Partners ($10,000+) Diane Hooper Martha Smith Marquee Partners ($5,000+) Mark & Jackie Curran David Post The Wallace Family Foundation Star Partners ($2,500+) Steve & Lina Drinkard Frank & Nancy Eason James & Maragaret Faust Bill & Cora Greene Ed & Susan Norvell Ryan & Alice Rich John & Eva Rosko Abigail & Kevin Leichman Clarence & Ann Marie Shuler Al & Lyn Wilson Lead Partners ($1000+) Paul & Carrie Bardinas Dale & Margaret Basinger Roy & Beth Bentley Leslie Birch Chuck & Linda Bowman Leah & Shawn Campion David & Karen Carmichael Beth Cook and Fred Pizzardi Mike & Gail Drinkard Jennifer Hubbard and Steve Cobb Roger & Linda Hull Glenn Ketner Matt Marsh Betty & Bud Mickle

Dan & Winnie Mikkelson Rod & Raquel Oden Dave & Nadine Potts TJ & Lizzy Roy John & Pamela Sofley Terilee Steelman Traci & Brad Williams Bob & Peggy Wilson Salisbury Audiology and Hearing Aid Services Rowan Animal Clinic F&M Bank Supporting Donors ($500+) Tracey Baird & Sonja Turner Jonathan McDonald and ZachTarlton Tanya Freirich Lisa Pleaseant Whitley, Jordan, Inge & Rary, PA Organizational/Season Support by

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEASON 18

David Carmichael, Chair John Rosko, Vice - Chair Diane Hooper, Treasurer Margaret Faust, Secretary Alice Rich, Ex-Officio AT-LARGE MEMBERS Carrie Bardinas Beth Bentley Tori Carpenter Kenzie Cloninger Elizabeth Cook Mark Curran

Abby Leichman Lindsey Litka- Montes Lizzy Roy Jonathan Wallace STAFF Rod Oden Executive Artistic Director rod@leestreet.org