A Christmas Carol - Dec 2021

presents

based on the story by Charles Dickens adapted by Donna Ferragut

produced by Stacey Becker and Ira Forstater directed by Carol Jean Clark

DEC. 3 – 18, 2021

www.thelittletheatre.com

PRESIDENT Frank D. Shutts II

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

ARTISTIC SUPPORT Beverley Benda

BOX OFFICE Ira Forstater

BUILDING ........................................................................................................................................................ Ken Brown

DEVELOPMENT Christopher A. Tomasino

EDUCATION .................................................................................................................................. Heather Sanderson

FRONT OF HOUSE Monty Montgomery

MEMBERSHIP Stacey Becker

PRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................. Alan Wray

PUBLIC RELATIONS Rachel Alberts

SEASONAL PLANNING .................................................................................................................. Eleanore Tapscott

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Ken Crowley

Treasurer David B. Hale

Secretary to the Board ........................................................................................................................Lynn O’Connell

Executive Secretary Jamie Blake

Archivist .......................................................................................................................................... Charles Dragonette

Business Manager Crissy Wilke

Box Office Manager Jeffery Westlake

Legal Counsel .................................................................................................................. Brian T. Goldstein, Esquire

The Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 Public Performances: Wed.– Fri. at 8:00 p.m. and Sat.–Sun. at 3:00 p.m.

The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

based on the story by Charles Dickens adapted by Donna Ferragut

Director’s Notes

When A Christmas Carol comes to mind, one often thinks of a roasted turkey, a sweet little boy with a crutch, and ghosts sent to teach a mean old miser a lesson. That lesson is the reason Charles Dickens wrote this classic story: to encourage compassion in the hearts of his readers and increase awareness of the horrific conditions in which children had to labor.

“Child labor? I don’t remember that being in this story,” some may say. “Isn’t this about some rich guy getting scared into doing the right thing?” Yes, that’s right. Child labor was the reason Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol. By creating sympathetic characters such as the Cratchit family—especially Tiny Tim—he hoped his readers would emotionally connect to the lives of the poor and be inspired to help them. If you listen closely during the show, you’ll hear mention of children working long hours and not always making it home at the end of the day.

The novel began its life as a pamphlet titled “An Appeal to the People of England, on Behalf of the Poor Man’s Child,” in reaction to a parliamentary report on Britain’s child labor, until Dickens realized it wouldn’t create a strong enough impact on society. As someone who had been forced to work in a factory from a young age, Dickens knew firsthand the horrors of the environment and wanted to convey them to the rest of the world. Thus, six short weeks later, A Christmas Carol was born, and the fate of poor Tiny Tim was the “sledgehammer” that Dickens had hoped it would be. Many of our modern-day Christmas traditions are influenced by the vision of Christmas that Charles Dickens created with A Christmas Carol.

It was important to me to encapsulate both the spirit of the story as well as the cheerful imagery that Dickens was attempting to create. Our team used the visual effects of fairy tales and classic Disney movies as inspiration for the familiar joyful aspects of Christmas, while the ragged children and bleak skyline give us hints of the darkness underlying the message of the story.

There is a lesson we can all learn from A Christmas Carol: We each have the power to make a difference. You have the power to make a difference. I hope the story you are about to see will open your heart, and encourage you to see the people around you not as strangers, but as fellow travelers on the journey of life.

Carol Jean Clark Director

SHOW SYNOPSIS

LTA rings in the holiday season with the return of the classic by Charles Dickens. Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly, embittered man, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reclamation through the aid of several spirits who remind him of the true meaning of Christmas, complete with special effects, Victorian carols and Tiny Tim. A Christmas Carol is a must for the entire family!

LTA will be offering Winter Class Sessions for youth and adults. Join us for improv, directing, acting, voiceovers, and more!

Class offerings and schedules will be posted at a later date - visit www.thelittletheatre.com and click on “classes”. THE LITTLE THEATRE OF ALEXANDRIA

600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314

The Cast (in order of appearance)

Tiny Tim/Fan (Green Team) ....................................................Natalie Cavender

Marley/Businessman 1 ........................................................................Bob Chaves

Belle/Mary ..................................................................................Carolyn Fox Darville

Ghost of Christmas Present/Gentlewoman 2/

Mrs. Dilber ......................................................................................Florence Ferraro

Mrs. Cratchit/Skater ............................................................................Merry Forbes

Fezziwig/Pawnbroker Joe/Poulterer ............................Lawrence O. Grey Jr.

Topper/Caroline/Businesswoman 2 ........................................Shelby Kaplan

Martha/Boy Scrooge (Red Team) ................................................Miranda Lacy

Ghost of Christmas Past/Gentlewoman 1/Ruth ..................Jolene Mafnas

Bob Cratchit/Dick/Father ..................................................................Pat Mahoney

Martha/Boy Scrooge (Green Team) ......................................Emily Martineau

Scrooge ................................................................................................Matthew Randall

Peter/Turkey Child (Green Team) ......................................................Elena Ruiz

Fred/Young Scrooge/Caroline’s Husband ........................Andrew Sanchez

Belinda/Urchin (Red Team) ....................................................Seychelle Shamir

Peter/Turkey Child (Red Team) ..................................................Clare Shannon

Belinda/Urchin (Green Team) ..............................................Anoushka Sharma

Tiny Tim/Fan (Red Team) Jillian Sheedy

Mrs. Pipchin/Mrs. Fezziwig ..............................................................Eva Shinagel

Dec 3, 5, 9, 11, 15, 17—Youth Green Team performs. Clare Shannon will be playing the roles of Peter and Turkey Child on Dec 17.

Dec 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18—Youth Red Team performs.

A Christmas Carol is performed in one act, with no intermission.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Susan Boyd, Ken Brown, Peter Fannon, Merry Forbes, Nick Friedlander, Jeffery Westlake, Crissy Wilke, the LTA Council, the families of our cast and crew, and our Box Office and Front of House volunteers.

Prologue—Outside

Scene 1—Scrooge & Marley’s

Scene 2—Scrooge’s Bedchamber

Scene 3—Scrooge’s Bedchamber

Scene 4—Boarding School

Scene 5—Fezziwig’s Warehouse

Scene 6—Outside

Scene 7—Belle’s Home

Scene 8—Scrooge’s Bedchamber/Cratchit Home

SCENES

Scene 9—Fred’s Home

Scene 10—Scrooge’s Bedchamber

Scene 11—Scrooge’s Bedchamber/ Outside

Scene 12—Pawnbroker’s Shop

Scene 13—Outside

Scene 14—Cratchit Home

Scene 15—Cemetery

Scene 16—Scrooge’s Bedchamber

Scene 17—Bedchamber/Outside

TIME PERIOD AND SETTING

1843, London, England

PERFORMANCE PARTNERS IN ART

Thursday, December 2, 2021 • Gadsby’s Tavern Museum Society

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 • NOVA Alumnae Panhellenic Association

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 • Foundation of the Alexandria Bar Association

In case of an emergency, LTA has three AEDs (automated external defibrillators)

They are located as follows:

1. in the lobby, near the Council Green Room

2. in the cast entrance hallway, near backstage door

3. in the Alexandria Academy, on the first floor

LTA COVID Pandemic Health and Safety Standards

LTA will continue to follow all current health and safety standards set by governmental authorities while the COVID pandemic continues, and we will maintain our full participation in the ALX Promise program sponsored by the Alexandria Health Department and Visit Alexandria. As our new season begins, we expect our limited seating, face covering, proof of vaccination and physical distancing requirements to continue. This may, hopefully, change later in the season.

The Crew

Producers ......................................................................Stacey Becker, Ira Forstater

Assistant Producer ..................................................................................Zell Murphy

Assistant to the Producers ............................................................Sarah Liebman

Director ..................................................................................................Carol Jean Clark

Assistant Director ....................................................................................Fred C. Lash

Stage Managers Sherry Clarke, Peter Leresche

Assistant Stage Managers ................AK Camper, Cleo Potter, Wendy Sneff

Set Design ......................................................................................................Matt Liptak

Assisted by Stacey Becker

Set Construction ..........................................................Jim Hutzler, Jeff Nesmeyer

Assisted by Kevin Blaum, Susan Burkhead, Shah Choudhury, Julie Fischer, Ira Forstater, Greg Matthis

Lighting Design Jeffrey Scott Auerbach, Kimberly Crago

Master Electrician ............................................................................Kimberly Crago

Lighting Assistants ..........................................Lloyd Bittinger, Pam Leonowich, Micheal O’Connor, Cleo Potter, Marg Soroos

Costume Design ..........................................................Jean Schlichting, Kit Sibley

Sound Design ........................................................................................Peter Leresche

Sound Assistants ........................................................David Correia, Sarah Smith

Set Painting De Nicholson-Lamb

Assisted by Stacey Becker, Luana Bossolo, Susan Burkhead, Tai Coates, McKayla Dixon, Rachel Dixon, Julie Fischer, Donna Kenley, Kathy Murphy, Chris Sheedy, Patricia Skinner

Set Decoration ....................................................................................Russell Wyland

Projection Design ....................................................................................Brian Knapp

Properties Design ..............................................................................Carol Strachan

Properties Coordinator Shelby Baker

Assisted by Helen Bard-Sobola, Ketrina Childs, Carla Gray, Rachael Hubbard, Anthony Johnson, Phyllis Johnson, Lynn Jorden, Donna Kenley, Meghan Mohon, Claire Tse

Wardrobe Coordinator ....................................................................Margaret Snow

Assisted by Lynn Jorden, Arlene Trudeau, Robin Worthington

Hair and Wig Design ........................................................Chanel Lancaster

Assisted by Kadira Coley, Austin Lancaster, Robin Maline, Lanae Sterrett, Megan Teitel

Makeup Design ..............................................................................Chanel Lancaster

Assisted by Kadira Coley, Austin Lancaster, Robin Maline, Lanae Sterrett, Megan Teitel

Dialect Coach Alden Michels

Rigging ....................................................................................................Russell Wyland

Photographer ............................................................................................Brian Knapp

Audition Accompanists ..................................Bart MacMillan, Steve McBride

Audition Table ........................................................Sherry Clarke, Carol Strachan

Assisted by Luana Bossolo, Robin Gold, Zell Murphy

Double Tech Dinner ..................................................Stacey Becker, Ira Forstater

Opening Night Party Stacey Becker, Ira Forstater

Assisted by Ken Brown

Red Team Youth Guardian ........................................................Chanel Lancaster

Green Team Youth Guardian ......................................Martha-Grace B. Moore

A special thanks to those people whose names were not available when this playbill went to press.

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Meet the Cast (in alphabetical order)

Natalie Cavender (Tiny Tim/Fan—Green Team) is excited to return for her third A Christmas Carol at LTA. Other favorite roles include Baby June in Gypsy (SMP) and Belinda Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (FT). Natalie is a seventh-grader at George Washington Middle School.

Bob Chaves (Jacob Marley/Businessman 1) Bob’s first acting classes were at LTA in the late ’80s. Since then, he’s been acting, singing and building sets and has served as board member and onetime president of Dominion Stage. Favorite roles over the years: Neville, The Secret Garden (RCP); Col. Pickering, My Fair Lady (TAP), directed by Roland Gomez; and Lloyd, the director, Noises Off (2FT). He has appeared as Scrooge with LCT, and again with LTA in the 2019 A Christmas Carol.

Carolyn Fox Darville (Belle/Mary) is delighted to be making her LTA debut. Favorite roles include Mrs. Cohen in Rent (BT) in London as a part of the International College of Musical Theatre, Harry in Puffs (SP) and the Enchantress in Rapunzel (GCT). She would like to thank her family, fiancé and friends for their support in her efforts to pursue her passion. She dedicates her performances to J.J. Stinson, Bryan Baugh, Benjamin Wenger, Hilda Dutton and Joseph Hinshaw.

Florence Ferraro (Ghost of Christmas Present/Gentlewoman

2/Mrs. Dilber) is delighted to again tread the boards of LTA in this, her second production of A Christmas Carol. She moves from the role of very active Ghost of Christmas Future in the 2019 production to her current role embodying Christmas Spirit. Favorite past roles include Miss Maudie in To Kill a Mockingbird (VTC) and Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit (TCP). Florence is a licensed clinical social worker. Thanks to director Carol Clark for entrusting me with this beautiful role, and to assistant director Fred Lash, a familiar face at the audition table.

ACVA

Alexandria Convention & Visitors Association invites you to visit www.artseventsalexandria.com to view the arts calendar and schedule of events.

Merry Forbes (Mrs. Cratchit/Skater) crawled out from under a rock to perform this first show in over two years. Before now, Merry enjoyed performing at multiple theatres in Macon, Georgia. Some of her favorite roles include Grandma Addams ( The Addams Family Musical) , Beggar/Lucy ( Sweeney Todd) and Maureen (Hotbed Hotel). Merry met her husband, Andrew, during Barefoot in the Park, when they played Paul and Corie Bratter. Merry misses her Macon theatre family and appreciates her new LTA friends. “Wishing Happy Holidays to all my loved ones!”

Lawrence O. Grey Jr. (Fezziwig/Pawnbroker Joe/Poulterer) is excited to revisit the world of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol once again. Larry has appeared onstage with LTA, DS, TAP, SMP, PCP and HHC. He is the operations manager for La Ti Do DC (Cabaret for Song and Spoken Word in Washington, DC). He has stage managed for LTA, ACCT, PCP and DS and has done film work for commercials and movies. He would like to thank Mark and his family for their support.

Shelby Kaplan (Topper/Caroline/Businesswoman 2) is so excited to play Topper, Caroline and Businesswoman 2 in A Christmas Carol as her first LTA production. Some of Shelby’s past performances include Head Over Heels (Philoclea), Anon(ymous) (Calista), Urinetown: The Musical (Tiny Tom) and The Wizard of Oz (Glinda). Shelby would like to thank the amazing cast and crew for their hard work. She would also like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support in all she does.

Miranda Lacy (Martha/Boy Scrooge—Red Team) is delighted to make her LTA debut in A Christmas Carol. She has previously appeared as Sheep in Charlotte’s Web (MVCCT) and in the ensemble in Shrek the Musical (MVCCT). She has also appeared as part of the Snow Chorus in Frozen JR. (ACCT) and Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web again (SAP). In her spare time, Miranda greatly enjoys reading, dancing and art. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Meet the Cast (continued)

Jolene Mafnas (Ghost of Christmas Past/Gentlewoman 1/Ruth)

is excited to be making her LTA debut in A Christmas Carol. Jolene first began acting in college. Soon after her first acting class, she was cast in student-directed plays. In her final year, she played the lead role of Asuncion in the College of William & Mary’s mainstage play, Asuncion. She hopes this will be the first of many LTA productions she will be a part of.

Pat Mahoney (Bob Cratchit/Dick/Father) is a man who wears many hats. Whether as a personal trainer, actor, musician or voiceover artist, he believes in full commitment to everything he does. Pat has lent his voice to several video games and audiobooks, composing music for both genres. This will be his third performance at LTA, and he is eager to share the Christmas spirit with an audience that so richly deserves a little holiday joy.

Emily Martineau (Martha/Boy Scrooge—Green Team) is excited to participate in her first LTA show! Emily played Bulda in Frozen JR., Rosemary/Ensemble in The Giver and a Hotbox

Girl in Guys and Dolls Jr. (ACCT). She was in the ensemble of Willy Wonka (MVCCT). Emily has been a participant in the Fairfax County Public Schools

All County Chorus. She is in the eighth grade at Washington Irving Middle School. She loves to paint and crochet. Emily thanks her family for their love and support.

Matthew Randall (Scrooge) most recently directed Rumors for LTA. Onstage roles include Dr. Sloper in The Heiress (LTA), John/James Jekyll in Love! Valour! Compassion! (ESP and DS), Norman in The Dresser (PCP), Sterling in Jeffrey (DS), Edward in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (PCP), Alan in This (VTC), Michael in The Boys in the Band (DS) and all the roles in Greater Tuna (ESP and LSDT). He is currently president of Dominion Stage, where he directed Gilligan’s Fire Island, Carrie the Musical, The Little Dog Laughed, Take Me Out, Reefer Madness: The Musical and The House of Blue Leaves.

Elena Ruiz (Peter/Turkey Child—Green Team) is pumped for her second LTA show! Favorite roles include Fan in A Christmas Carol, Pat in Compu-Speak (Cheryl Felicia Rhoads Northern Virginia Acting School) and Princess Buttercup in The Princess Bride (Dominion Christian School). Elena is delighted to be acting at LTA!

Andrew Sanchez (Fred/Young Scrooge/Caroline’s Husband) is excited not only to be making his LTA debut in A Christmas Carol but also being back onstage after two years. He appeared in many shows at three different theatres in Macon, Georgia, including Beauty and the Beast (TM), Anything Goes (PP) and Shrek: The Musical (MLT). His favorite roles have been Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park and Eddie Souther in Sister Act: The Musical. “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Seychelle Shamir (Belinda/Urchin—Red Team) is excited to return to LTA, having played an urchin in the 2017 production of A Christmas Carol. This year she reprises that role and plays the role of Belinda Cratchit. An avid singer, Seychelle acted in two elementary school plays and, as a sixth-grader, acted in a production during the 2020-21 school year for what is now the Alexandria City High School. She thanks her family, friends and colleagues for their support.

Clare Shannon (Peter/Turkey Child—Red Team) is thrilled to be making her LTA debut! Favorite productions include Voices of Now (AS), A Christmas Story (STC) and Puffs (NST). Clare recently attended the month-long residential Virginia Governor’s School for Visual & Performing Arts and Humanities program with a concentration in theatre. She has trained with NYC’s Broadway Artists Alliance, Signature Theatre, the Fairfax Academy and more. Clare has also danced for over six years and sung for over five. She thanks her family and friends for their support!

Meet the Cast (continued)

Anoushka Sharma (Belinda/Urchin—Green Team) is delighted to be making her LTA debut as Belinda in A Christmas Carol. Her favorite credits include Fan in A Christmas Carol (FT), Auntie Abbie in The Musical Of Musicals (RCP) and Pepper in Annie (KP). She is grateful to her family and friends and the theater community for their relentless support.

Jillian Sheedy (Tiny Tim/Fan—Red Team) is excited to be making her stage debut in A Christmas Carol. She is an eighthgrader at St. Louis Catholic School in Alexandria and is happy to be learning her way around theatre at LTA. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, reading and writing. She would love to thank her family for all of their encouragement and support.

Eva Shinagel (Mrs. Pipchin/Mrs. Fezziwig) is delighted to be making her LTA debut with this production. She co-produced and stage managed LTA’s 2021 One-Act Play Competition performances. Her favorite performances were with Harlequin Productions’ Talking With and Reckless in Olympia, Washington.

The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author(s)’s rights and actionable under United States Copyright Law

Public Relations Staff

Publicity

Rachel Alberts

Graphics ............................... Simmons Design

Playbill Editor Carol Hutchinson

Playbill Coordinator ............. Bobbie Herbst

For information concerning Playbill advertising, please call 703-683-5778.

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Meet the Crew (in alphabetical order)

Jeffrey Scott Auerbach (Co-Lighting Designer) and Kimberly Crago (CoLighting Designer/Master Electrician) are an award-winning lighting design duo active at LTA, ACCT, DS, TAP and other local theatres. Jeff and Kimberly are thrilled to work with this talented cast and crew. Their recent productions at LTA include Wait Until Dark and Ripcord . They wish to thank the producers and Carol for this opportunity. Jeff thanks David and Katie for their love and support. Kimberly thanks Steve for being a real swell guy.

Shelby Baker (Properties Coordinator) is excited to work on A Christmas Carol. She has previously worked on Legally Blonde and was a member of the Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity Committee (LTA). She graduated from George Mason University with a BFA in theatre with a concentration in set design. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Stacey Becker (Co-Producer) is excited to co-produce this year’s A Christmas Carol with Ira Forstater. Stacey’s latest work behind the scenes was as paint designer for Ripcord and, before that, last year’s A Christmas Carol. Stacey sends a big THANK YOU to the entire cast and crew for all their hard work. “Enjoy the show! This will definitely put you in the holiday spirit!”

Carol Jean Clark (Director) has been involved with the stage for over 30 years as a performer, director, choreographer, music director and producer. She is active in the theatre community and is currently serving on the board of DS. Carol graduated from AMDA NYC for musical theatre and has performed on stages from the Kennedy Center in DC to the Sage Theatre in Times Square. She would like to thank Troy Brown for his mentorship and encouragement and her mom for all the support over the years.

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Sherry Clarke (Co-Stage Manager) first “dabbled in the arts” with the typical childhood neighborhood plays. In her late teens, Sherry experienced high school and college plays, starting a 13-year career as a vocalist based in Seattle. In Alexandria, she discovered LTA, a new home in which to explore her theatrical interests. Sherry’s most recent stage management credits include The Haunting of Hill House , A Fox on the Fairway, Harvey, August: Osage County, The Fantasticks, Moonlight and Magnolias, and Fences.

David Correia (Sound Mentor). This year David is taking a step back from designing sound for the show and instead mentoring new people doing the sound design. Earlier in the year, David did the sound design for The Revolutionists (LTA) and The Bluest Eye (DS) and just finished Sweeney Todd (RTP). Previous notable productions include Hairspray (2011 WATCH Award for Sound Design in a Musical), Spamalot (2014 WATCH Nomination for Sound Design in a Musical) and LTA’s production of Proof (2014 WATCH Nomination for Sound Design in a Play).

Ira Forstater (Co-Producer) is overjoyed to be co-producing ACC at LTA for a second consecutive year. Ira is a member of LTA’s Board of Governors and Council and previously served on its Board of Financial Trustees. He is indebted to co-producer Stacey Becker, this production’s extraordinary crew and cast, and also to his wonderful family for their unending support. In these challenging times, may we all find guidance in Dickens’ observation that “there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.”

Jim Hutzler (Co-Set Construction) has worked on many LTA sets as master carpenter and set construction crew, as well as building for other local theater companies. WATCH nominations with co-builder Jeff Nesmeyer include To Kill a Mockingbird in 2016, Anything Goes in 2017 and Dracula in 2018. Thanks to all who make LTA the special place that it is.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Brian Knapp (Photographer/Projection Designer) is thrilled to be capturing headshots and candid moments from LTA’s production of this classic show! Brian has been a portrait and event photographer for over 10 years and has worked with a number of schools and theatre companies all over Virginia. This is his second stint with LTA, having worked with them on their production of Moonlight and Magnolias.

Chanel Lancaster (Hair and Wig Design/Makeup Design/Red Team Youth Guardian) is excited to be returning to LTA for A Christmas Carol . Most recently she designed the hair and makeup for Wait Until Dark (LTA), The Bluest Eye (DS) and The Revolutionists (LTA). She would like to thank Carol Clark for the opportunity to come back for another year of A Christmas Carol, her amazing crew without whom this would not be possible, and most of all her husband, Austin, for all the love and support.

Fred C. Lash (Assistant Director) Although no stranger to community theatre stages in Northern Virginia, Fred is quite pleased to be making his “debut” on a production team at LTA, having appeared in a dozen shows here, including playing Scrooge in the 2013 rendition of this holiday classic. Fred is a retired Marine who lives in Springfield with Donna, his “partner” and theatrical critic for more than 53 years.

Peter Leresche (Co-Stage Manager/Sound Design) is happy to be back in theatre and stage managing again. He has stage managed for A Few Good Men (LTA) and Frozen JR. (ACCT), among others. Peter has run numerous theatre camps and is the technical coordinator and emergency response coordinator at the Montessori School of Northern Virginia, as a trained EMT, as well as the technical director at Vine Church. Peter works with various area bands for sound reinforcement support. He is working on a book on teaching technical theatre to elementary school children.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Sarah Liebman (Assistant to the Producers) is delighted to be joining the LTA community for A Christmas Carol. Having previously performed in community theatre productions in her hometown of Acton, Massachusetts, from 2005 to 2013, she’s excited to have the opportunity to witness the theatre process from behind the scenes. Sarah is also involved in the DC improv community with Washington Improv Theatre and Dojo Comedy, performing with indie troupe Shots on a Monday. She’s thankful to Ira, Stacey and Zell for showing her the ropes of producing, along with her boyfriend, Scott, for both lending his car and also supporting her overinvolvement in too many activities.

Matt Liptak (Set Designer) This year’s production of A Christmas Carol marks Liptak’s 11th set design for LTA. This season, Liptak has designed sets for Fences and The Revolutionists. He has also designed, painted and dressed sets at RCP, DS, PCP and ACCT. Notable shows include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (LTA Award winner), Harvey (WATCH Award nominee), Dracula (WATCH Award and LTA Award winner), Steel Magnolias (WATCH Award winner) and Last Summer at Bluefish Cove (WATCH Award nominee). Liptak thanks Kieran for his constant support!

Alden Michels (Dialect Coach) is an actor, director and singer as well as a dialect coach. He served as dialect coach for TAP’s Beauty and the Beast and RCP’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. He was in the DC area premiere of The Pitmen Painters at FST, in which he performed the difficult Geordie accent. He has also sung music in over 30 languages. Alden lives in Bethesda with his wife and two cats.

Martha-Grace B. Moore (Green Team Youth Guardian) is a teaching artist and director with a deep love for theatre for young audiences and working with young artists. In the DC area, she has worked as a teaching artist, director and props/puppet designer. She is currently a middle school theatre teacher in Falls Church. Martha-Grace is passionate about theatre education and helping young artists find their voice. She holds her B.A. in dramatic arts from Centre College of Kentucky, and her M.A. in theatre education from Emerson College.

Zell Murphy (Assistant Producer) has been involved in one capacity or another with LTA over the past 10 years but never on the producer side of things. Mostly he has worked backstage in stage management and props for a number of productions as well as front of house as an usher. He is also the Director of the LTA Council. Much thanks to Ira and Stacey for “showing him the ropes” of producing and, as always, to Mark for his never-ending encouragement and support.

Jeff Nesmeyer (Co-Set Construction) is pleased to be collaborating on another Matt Liptak set design with Jim Hutzler. He has been involved in set builds at LTA, PCP and DS since 2006, when Frank Pasqualino asked him to help the crew build the set for Love, Sex, and the IRS. He was nominated for two WATCH Awards for Anything Goes (LTA) and Harvey (LTA) and Dracula (LTA). He won LTA Excellence in Set Construction awards for Harvey, Dracula and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. He thanks LTA for its confidence in his carpentry abilities, Jim for his camaraderie, his wife, Diane, for her support, and Frank for getting him started in theater.

De Nicholson-Lamb (Set Painting) is pleased to be working with the wonderful cast and crew of A Christmas Carol. De most recently painted Enchanted April (WATCH Nominee) and On Golden Pond for ACCT and Grey Gardens, The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and Rocky Horror Show (Pearl Award—Excellence in Set Painting) for LTA. In 2012, De painted LTA sets for Sweeney Todd and Witness for the Prosecution (Pearl Award nominee). Previously, De painted four of the six stage sets for LTA’s 2006 season: Into the Woods (Pearl Award), Auntie Mame , The Desperate Hours and Footloose. De decided to broaden her theater horizons when she not only painted but designed the set for The Will Rogers Follies; Saturday, Sunday, Monday; and The Visit at LTA. In 2009 she won the Pearl Award for Excellence in Set Painting for Picnic and was a WATCH nominee. De thanks LTA for the fun we had with this show.

Meet the Crew (continued)

Kit Sibley and Jean Schlichting (Co-Costume Designers) are happy to costume A Christmas Carol once again. Having done the show at LTA many times, we find that each year’s production brings different challenges but is always fun! We hope you enjoy this year’s heartwarming version of this LTA tradition.

Margaret Snow (Wardrobe Coordinator) is delighted to be working with the creative directors, producers, cast and crew. From a wardrobe perspective, this production presents an amusing challenge to maintain a beneficent balance between Mr. Scrooge’s overwear and underwear to complement his vacillations between villainy and virtue. Nice or nasty, he gets what he wants.

Carol Strachan (Properties Design) last did this position for A Party to Murder. She produced A Christmas Carol here in 2019 and 2014 and Scapino! and A Witness for the Prosecution and will be co-producing Prelude to a Kiss (June 2022). She has appeared onstage at LTA in Lady Windermere’s Fan, Pack of Lies, Blithe Spirit, It Runs in the Family and Lettice and Lovage.

Russell Wyland (Set Decoration/Rigging) is a 30-plus-year member of LTA. He has worked in some capacity on almost every A Christmas Carol produced at LTA. He won the LTA Award for Outstanding Set Decoration for Nude with Violin, The Full Monty and Avenue Q and has rigged in excess of 130 productions over the last 20 years. Set decoration and rigging aside, Russ has served a total of seven years as LTA President and eight years as Governor for Production. His next effort will be as co-producer (with Bobbie Herbst and Rachel Alberts) of Something Rotten! in the summer of 2022.

Thank You!

LTA wishes to recognize and thank all of the volunteers who have given their time and talents by helping with house managing, ushering, or working in the box office for our previous production of Wait Until Dark.

Box Office Volunteers

Lloyd Bittinger

Luana Bossolo

Carys Crawford

Martha Deal

Sharon Dove

Florence Ferraro

Ira Forstater

Gary Gladstone

Sue Gladstone

Brittany Huffman

Carol Hutchinson

Kate Ives

Meghan Mohon

Melissa Nielson

Front of House Volunteers

Hilary Adams

Kevin Blaum

Luana Bossolo

Denna (Dee) Brown

Sarah Bueter

Veronica Cartier

Laura Clarke

Rita Costello

Isabel Craine

Leslie S Deneault

Patricia Espinet

Jean Frane

Debbie Gray

Ethan Gumpert

Amy Halvorsen

Ari Halvorsen

Latonya Henry

Annie Jackson

Glen Macdonald

Karen Maline

Kendra McLauchlan

Kirt Miller

Micheal J. O'Connor

Kay Parker

Laura Peterson

Steven Rosenthal

Page Dreher

Schreiner

Patricia Skinner

Margaret Snow

Sheri Ratick Stroud

Alison Tregea

Eve Young

Meghan Mohon

Madelaine Morgan

Kathy Murphy

Zell Murphy

Micheal J. O'Connor

Steven Rosenthal

Ann Rowan

Deb Sage

Heather Sanderson

Ana Shannon

Frank Shutts

Patricia Skinner

Mary Beth SmithToomey

Howard Soroos

Myke Taister

Arlene Tredeau

Don Wilson

Russell Wyland

Ken Zabielski

Bobbie Herbst

Mark & Patti Higgins –In Memory of

Nancyanne Burton

Dr. David Hunt & Dr. Kimberly Wells

Ray and Judy Isaacs

Vernon Kahiler

James & Charlene Kegerreis

Melissa Keiser

Victor and Barbara Kernus

David Kimmelman

In Memory of Dick & Dianna Kreutz

Kirk and Gabriela Lambert

Dr. Valerie Larkin

In Honor of Chuck Leonard

Wilma Probst Levy

The Livingston Family

Noreen Lopez

Nathan and Kara Macek

In Memory of Chris Macey

Raymonde Magliozzi

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Mannion

Bill & Joan McCulla

In Memory of

Brian McNamara

Mary Jo Morgan

Brian Murphy

In Memory of Alice O’Connor

Pierella Paci

Laura Peterson

Mrs. Jackie Phillips

Omar Rojas & Sara Deshong-Rojas

Col. Melvin H. Rosen

Steven Rosenthal

Rob & Donna Roth –

In Memory of

Nancyanne Burton

Kitty Russell

Eric Schlesinger

Martha H. Schumacher

Robert & Maureen Simoniz

Barbara Slavik

Wendy Sneff

Mrs. Mary Stauss

Mark Stein

Capt. & Mrs. Donald Taggart

In Memory of Gene Vaughan

Hildegard White

Dr. Marta Wilson

Raymond and Sheri Wolfe

Colonists

Mr. Clermon Acklin

Lynda Adamson

Mr. and Mrs. Albanese

Martha E. Alliston

Anonymous (33)

Mr. Kevin Brehm

Ellie Briscoe

Betty Brown

Joan Burg

In Memory of Nancyanne Burton

Gabby Carter

Dorothy Cass

Ronald E. Cogan

John Coogan

Mary Crosby

Angela J. Davis

Jacqueline Doherty

In Honor of Dave Dunn

Joan Ebbs

Robert Eckert

Dan & Marie Ernst

Avery Clifford Evans

Aaron Geduldig

Kathy Giannetti

Karen Gruber

David Hale & Russ Wyland

Joe Harr

Kalynne Harvey

Joseph Hearin

Raymond Heatherton

Ginger Higgins

Ms. Sherada Hobgood

Alma Kasulaitis

Edward Keusenkothen

Roberta Klein

Kathy Koczyk

Philip Krzywicki

Lynn Lacey

Giving Key

Catherine Love

Mr. & Mrs. Greg & Cynthia Matthes

Maureen Melton

Ed & Eleanor Metzbower

Judith Mitchell

Kim Monroe

Tony Morris

Jane Neubig

Shawn Newman & Sara Hefler

Mr. & Mrs. Alan Newton

Soledad Pellegrini & Timo Lorenzo-Schmidt

Cynthia Picha

Linda Plaskow

Jason Pyzel

Jill Randolph

Irene Rehbock

Patricia Richter

Emily Ryan

Margaret Sarisky

Roxanne Sayre

Diana Schwanhausser

Rivon Shaneyfelt

Nancy L. Siegal

Wendy Swanson

Lauren Walker

Thomas Walker

Mark Weitz

Sheila Woods

Linda Ysewyn

Every effort has been made to ensure that this list of contributors is correct and complete as of the date this program went to press. If your name has been omitted or misspelled, please accept our apologies and inform us of the error so that the correction can be made.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution online, visit www.thelittletheatre.com and click on opportunities, then donations. You may also contact the business office at 703-683-5778, ext. 2 and donate by phone.

Theater Abbreviations Used in This Playbill

ACCT – Aldersgate Church Community Theater

ACT – Alliance of Community Theaters

AMDA – The American Musical and Dramatic Academy

AS – Arena Stage

ASC – Annapolis Shakespeare Company

ATMTC – Adventure Theatre and Musical Theater Center

BCT – Bowie Community Theatre

BST – Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

BT – Bridewell Theatre of London

CCDC – Capital City Players of DC

CCP – Chevy Chase Players

CFTC – City of Fairfax Theatre Company

CRT – Castaways Repertory Theatre

CSC – Centenary Stage Company

CT – Chalice Theater

DTC – Damascus Theatre Company

DS – Dominion Stage

ES – Encore Stage

ESP – Elden Street Players (now NST)

FCT – Fauquier Community Theatre

FP – Foundry Players (now CCDC)

FST – First Stage Tysons

FT – Ford’s Theatre

GAC – Greenbelt Arts Center

GCT – Gateway Community Theatre

GFP – Great Falls Players (now MCP)

HBP – Hard Bargain Players

KAT – Kensington Arts Theatre

KT – Keegan Theatre

KP – Kota Productions

LMP – Laurel Mill Playhouse

LSDT – Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre

LTA – The Little Theatre of Alexandria

LTC – Landless Theatre Company

MCP – McLean Community Players

MLT – Macon Little Theatre

MP – Montgomery Playhouse

MPAT – Metropolitan Performing Arts

Theatre

MSA – Metropolitan School for the Arts

MTA – McLean Theatre Alliance (now MCP)

MTC – Musical Theater Center

MVCCT – Mount Vernon Community

Children’s Theatre

NST – NextStop Theatre

NVP – Northern Virginia Players

NVTA – Northern Virginia Theatre Alliance

OTC – Olney Theater Center

PCP – Port City Playhouse

PGLT – Prince George’s Little Theatre

PP – Perry Players

PPF – Providence Players of Fairfax

PTC – Potomac Theatre Company Inc.

PTP – Port Tobacco Players

PWLT – Prince William Little Theatre

RCP – Reston Community Players

RLT – Rockville Little Theatre

RMT – Rockville Musical Theatre

SCT – Springfield Community Theater

SMP – St Mark’s Players

SP – Sterling Playmakers

SSS – Silver Spring Stage

ST – Signature Theatre

STC – StageCoach Theatre Company

TACT – The American Century Theater

TAP – The Arlington Players

TAT – The Alliance Theatre

TBP – The British Players

TCP – Tantallon Community Players

TM – Theatre Macon

2FT – Second Flight Theatre

VTC – Vienna Theatre Company

WATCH – Washington Area Theatre

Community Honors

WS – Washington Savoyards

The Council of The Little Theatre of Alexandria

Zell Murphy II Director

Rachael Hubbard ....................................................................................................................Vice Director

Donna Hauprich ............................................................................................................................Secretary

Lloyd Bittinger ..................................................................................................................Financial Officer

Frank D. Shutts II Honorary Member, LTA President

Jay Bartol

Jamie Blake

Luana Bossolo

Leslie Buckles

KC Carlyle

Margaret Chapman

Franklin C. Coleman

Charlotte Corneliusen

David Correia

Kimberly Crago

Susan R. Devine

Paul Donohoe

Sharon Rochelle Dove*

Joel D. Durgavich

Margaret Evans-Joyce

Peter M. Fannon*

Ira Forstater

Duane Goddard*

Kacie Greenwood

David B. Hale

Ronald Hardcastle

Barbara H. Hayes

Bobbie Herbst

Kira Simon Hogan

Marian Holmes*

David B. Kahn

Algis & Suzanne Kalvaitis

Judith Kee*

Oron Kee

Kirk Lambert

Patricia B. Nicklin

C. Lynn O’Connell

Micheal J. O’Connor

Eddie Page

James Pearson

Jayn L. Rife

Benjamin Robles

Heather Sanderson

Jean Schlichting

Margo Shiffert

Patricia Spencer Smith

Kim Smith-Salmon

Mary Beth Smith-Toomey*

Arthur & Margaret Snow

Howard & Marg Soroos

Rance R. Willis*

Frank & Carolyn Winters

Russell Wyland

Kenneth P. Zabielski

The Council of the Little Theatre of Alexandria is a group of dedicated members who support financial projects for the theatre and provide numerous social events with dinners, receptions, and other member gatherings. The Council promotes and supports volunteerism throughout the theatre to ensure continued success in all areas, i.e., backstage, front of house, box office, etc.; we also provide need-based scholarship funding to support numerous adult and youth educational programs within the theatre. The Council is proud to sponsor the Shakespeare Garden which has become a community favorite with many stopping in just to relax and “waste my time in it.”

* Distinguished Member Rev 11.9.21