Writers Theatre Artistic Director Michael Halberstam and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma announce “Two Scrooges: A Christmas Carol, Two Ways,” two unique productions of A Christmas Carol, including Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, co-commissioned by Writers Theatre, and Michael Halberstam’s one-man adaptation of the Dickens holiday classic.
These two unique, complementary interpretations of A Christmas Carol epitomize WT’s mission of highlighting the word and the artist. With one highly text-based, recognizing WT tradition, and the other boldly visual by some of this generation’s most innovative artists, “Two Scrooges” is the perfect holiday entertainment event for the whole family to enjoy from the comfort of your own home.
Season Subscriptions and Memberships, which include access to both productions and all Writers Theatre programming, are available by calling the Box Office at 847-242-6000 and online at writerstheatre.org. Single tickets are available starting November 16, 2020.
Two Scrooges: A Christmas Carol, Two Ways
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
adapted by and featuring Michael Halberstam, directed by Stanton Long
December 8-January 3, 2021
Artistic Director Michael Halberstam’s acclaimed one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday ghost story, featuring Halberstam in his tour-de-force solo performance, masterfully recreates the greatest ghost story ever written. Not seen at Writers Theatre since its in-demand run in 2008, One-Man Christmas Carol will be directed by Stanton Long in collaboration with HMS Media (PBS Great Performances, numerous Broadway productions) to bring this streamed holiday tradition to your home.
Adam Veness is the scenic designer and Adam Friedland is the lighting designer for A Christmas Carol.
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol, adapted by Manual Cinema from the original by Charles Dickens, co-commissioned by Writers Theatre
December 3-13, 2020
In this world premiere online event created for audiences of all ages, interdisciplinary performance collective Manual Cinema takes on Charles Dickens’ holiday classic with a visually inventive adaptation made to broadcast live at every performance, directly to your home. An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joes’ famous Christmas cheer. From the isolation of her Chicago apartment, she reconstructs his annual Christmas Carol puppet show—over a Zoom call while the family celebrates Christmas Eve under the lockdown. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family’s call transforms into a stunning cinematic adaptation of Dickens’ classic ghost story.
Each performance of Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol will be performed live in Manual Cinema’s Chicago studio in a socially distanced manner, and live streamed to audiences at home. In signature Manual Cinema fashion, hundreds of paper puppets, miniatures, silhouettes and a live original score will come together to tell an imaginative reinvention of this cherished holiday story.
The artistic team for Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol includes: Lizi Breit (puppeteer) Sarah Fornace (puppeteer), Ben Kauffman (guitar, piano, lead vocals), N. LaQuis Harkin (Aunt Trudy, puppeteer), Julia Miller (puppeteer) and Kyle Vegter (cello, keys, vocals).
Manual Cinema‘s Christmas Carol is written by the Manual Cinema Artistic Directors, including Drew Dir (Storyboards), Ben Kauffman, Kyle Vegter (Original Music and Sound Design), Drew Dir, with Lizi Breit (Puppet Design), Sarah Fornace, Julia Miller (Puppet Build Assistants), Julia Miller, Kyle Vegter (Set Design), Julia Miller (Costume Design), Mike Usrey (Technical Director and Sound Engineer), Shelby Sparkles (Stage Manager) and Ben Kauffman (Streaming and UX).
Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol was made possible by the co-commissioning from Writers Theatre.
Schedule: A Christmas Carol, adapted by and featuring Michael Halberstam, directed by Stanton Long
On-demand Tuesday, December 8, 2020- Sunday, January 3, 2021
Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol available live, online performances:
- Thursday, December 3 at 7pm
- Friday, December 4 at 7pm
- Saturday, December 5 at 7pm
- Sunday, December 6 at 3pm
- Wednesday, December 9 at 10am
- Thursday, December 10 at 7pm
- Saturday, December 12 at 7pm
- Sunday, December 13 at 3pm
Tickets: Call the Box Office at 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org
“Two Scrooges: A Christmas Carol, Two Ways” is available to WT Classic Subscribers and Members at no additional charge.
Prices (per household):
“Two Scrooges” (both productions): $25-$100
- Solo (1 viewer): $25;
- Duo (2 viewers): $50
- Trio (3 viewers): $75
- Ensemble (4+ viewers): $100
For only one Christmas Carol: $15-$50
- Solo (1 viewer): $15
- Duo (2 viewers): $30
- Trio (3 viewers): $45
- Ensemble (4+ viewers): $50
All prices are subject to regular per-ticket fees.
Box Office: Call the WT Box Office at 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org
For the safety of our employees and patrons, Writers Theatre will continue to operate all WT Box Office business remotely. Associates will be available to take your call, Monday – Saturday, 12-5pm. The Writers Theatre Box Office located in our Theatre Center in downtown Glencoe will remain closed until further notice to encourage social distancing, as well as continue to ease the Village’s renovation of Tudor Court.
Writers Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank for 2020/21 as the distinguished Season Sponsor, marking the Bank’s tenth consecutive year as season sponsor.
ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE
For 29 years, Writers Theatre has captivated Chicagoland audiences with inventive interpretations of classic work, a bold approach to contemporary theatre and a dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible.
Under the artistic leadership of Michael Halberstam and the executive leadership of Kathryn M. Lipuma, Writers Theatre has grown to become a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called the top regional theatre in the nation by The Wall Street Journal. The company, which plays to a sold-out and discerning audience of more than 60,000 patrons each season, has garnered critical praise for the consistent high quality and intimacy of its artistry—providing the finest interpretations of both classic and contemporary theatre in its two intensely intimate venues.
In February 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility. This established the company's first permanent home—a new theatre center in downtown Glencoe, designed by the award-winning, internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects, led by Founder and Design Principal Jeanne Gang, FAIA, in collaboration with Theatre Consultant Auerbach Pollock Friedlander. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to continue to grow to accommodate its audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy. The new facility resonates with and complements the Theatre’s neighboring Glencoe community, adding tremendous value to Chicagoland and helping to establish the North Shore as a premier cultural destination.
Find Writers Theatre on Facebook at Facebook.com/WritersTheatre, follow @WritersTheatre on Twitter or @Writers_Theatre on Instagram. For more information, visit www.writerstheatre.org.