The American Conservatory Theater (ACT) will kick off the holiday season with the in-person return of its acclaimed production of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. Under the direction of ACT conservatory director Peter J. Kuo, this version of A Christmas Carol adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walch and based on Perloff’s original direction – stays true to the heart of Dickens’ timeless redemption story and brings a playful sensibility to its rich language. A Christmas Carol performs at ACT’s Toni Rembe Theater (formerly the Geary Theater – 415 Geary St., San Francisco) from November 30 through December 24, 2022. The press night will take place on Wednesday, December 7. Tickets ($25-$130) are available at the ACT box office at 415-749-2228 or online at act-sf.org/christmas-carol. Groups of 10 or more save up to 35% and receive free group leader tickets. For group sales, call 415-439-2306. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
With a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those delightfully spooky ghosts, A Christmas Carol is a cornerstone of the ACT repertoire and has become a holiday tradition for families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. for nearly 50 years. During the pandemic, A Christmas Carol has come to life as an exciting radio play that has been enjoyed by families across the country. This year’s production, A Christmas Carol, is dedicated to the memory of the inimitable Ken Ruta.
ACT’s A Christmas Carol features a multi-generational cast of performers led by Jacques Charpentier and Anthony Fusco, alternating the performances of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Join Carpenter and Fusco is a veteran Bay Area actor Dan Hiatt like the ghost of Jacob MarleyScrooge’s nightmarish nocturnal visitor; Jomar Tagatac and Sarita Ocón as Bob and Anne Cratchit; Brian Herdon and Sharon Lockwood like the festive Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig; B Noel Thomas as Ghost of Christmas Past; and Catherine Castellanos like the ghost of the Christmas present.
Also featured in this year’s production (in alphabetical order): Tasi Alabastro, John Chukwudelunzu, Evangeline EdwardsSteven Flores, Cindy Goldfield, Jeremy KahnAdam Kuve Niemann, Paige Mayes, James WDL Mercer II, Emily Newsome, Amanda Le Nguyen, Anna Marie Sharpe and Howard Swain.
Rounding out the cast, a group of talented young actors. They are (in alphabetical order): Vivian Amirault, Jasper Bermudez, James Coniglio, Samara Edelstein, Monique Hightower-Gaskin, Anya Jayaraman, Ayla Klasen, Zia Libicki, Paloma Martinez Muhsin, Melina Meniktas, Gia Moon, Amber Price, Xochitl Santillan, Samanvika Senthil Kumar, Laila Shahsavari, Vivian Sun, Madeline von Treskow, Rowen Weeramantry and Henry Wu.
The creative team for A Christmas Carol includes ACT Conservatory Director Peter J. Kuo (director), John Arnone (Scenic Designer), Beaver Bauer (costume designer), Nancy Schertler (Lighting Designer), Jacques Rodriguez (sound design), Karl Lundeberg (composer), Val Caniparoli (choreography), Dan Feyer (music director), Nancy Dickson (rehearsal) and Carla Pantoja (fight director).
