Catch “A Christmas Carol” at the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Tom Haas, returns to the Indiana Repertory Theatre this holiday season.

This snowy tradition, on stage November 16 – December 26, will feature additional carols and all-new costumes for the first time in more than twenty years.

The Victorian London costumes have been reimagined, redesigned, and rebuilt by Costume Designer Linda Pisano and the IRT Costume Shop. Pisano, who designs for theatre, dance, and opera throughout the United States, was inspired by the original illustrations by John Leech. The costumes—with a special focus on the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future—will closely reflect Dickens’ era and character descriptions.

“Linda Pisano’s new costume designs are beautiful and her research and attention to detail lifts this important story in a magical way,” Director and IRT’s Associate Artistic Director Benjamin Hanna said. “Additionally, there will be new songs along with our favorite carols.  All of these new investments of time and love to A Christmas Carol come from our commitment to keeping the production fresh, accessible and relevant for our community each year.”

While A Christmas Carol was written more than 170 years ago, its themes of empathy, hope, generosity, and change make it relevant still today and an important invitation to reconnect, reunite, and reflect this–and every–season.

“Holidays offer us the opportunity to define and explore our traditions—as a culture and as individual families,” Executive Artistic Director Janet Allen said. “We hope that what you experience at the IRT may become a part of your family’s tradition, as well as provide you with many things to discuss and think about as you engage with your other family traditions throughout the holiday season.”

Returning for his tenth year as Ebenezer Scrooge is Ryan Artzberger, and he will be joined on stage by returning cast members Ashley Dillard, Jennifer Johansen, Rob Johansen, Aaron Kirby, Stephenie Soohyun Park, and Milicent Wright, along with A Christmas Carol newcomers Elyakeem Avraham, Jesse Bhamrah, Ivy Moody, Emma Rosenthal, and Scott Van Wye. This production also consists of two youth actor teams made up of five children each who split performances throughout the run.

As a part of the run of A Christmas Carol, IRT will again offer special programming with post-show discussions, a Sensory Friendly performance designed to create a welcoming experience for all, including those with autism or other sensory sensitivities, and a variety of Holiday Hoopla festivities. Take family photos, meet the cast for autographs, pet Santa’s reindeer, shop the IRT Artisan Market, and more!

Tickets are available now for this Indianapolis tradition on the OneAmerica Mainstage November 16 – December 26.

DETAILS

WHERE: Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W Washington Street, OneAmerica Mainstage

DATES: November 16 – December 26, various times. A Christmas Carol is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission. Tickets and performance schedule available at IRTlive.com.

TICKETS: Tickets start at $25. Click to buy.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM:

  • RYAN ARTZBERGER | Ebenezer Scrooge
  • ELYAKEEM AVRAHAM | Schoolmaster, Belle’s Husband, Topper, Undertaker
  • JESSE BHAMRAH | Bob Cratchit
  • ASHLEY DILLARD | Mrs. Cratchit
  • JENNIFER JOHANSEN | Lady of Charity, Mrs. Fezziwig, Lamplighter, Pawnbroker
  • ROB JOHANSEN | Marley, Fezziwig, Christmas Future
  • AARON KIRBY | Fred, Young Marley, Broker
  • IVY MOODY | Felicity, Adult Fan, Martha
  • STEPHENIE SOOHYUN PARK | Lady of Charity, Belle, Prudence, Laundress
  • EMMA ROSENTHAL | Waitress, Christmas Past, Penelope
  • SCOTT VAN WYE | Young Scrooge, Nutley, Broker, Poulterer
  • MILICENT WRIGHT | Christmas Present, Charwoman
  • VIVIAN ABDALLA | Belinda Cratchit
  • EVIE BERRY | Tiny Tim
  • JACOB BREWER | Peter Cratchit
  • SADIE COHEN | Betsy Cratchit
  • JOCYLON EVANS | Belinda Cratchit
  • QUINTIN GILDDON JR. | Henry Cratchit
  • AUDREY GUAY | Tiny Tim
  • IAN LYNAM | Peter Cratchit
  • MARNIE MOORE | Betsy Cratchit
  • TOBIN SEIPLE | Henry Cratchit
  • BENJAMIN HANNA | Director
  • RUSSELL METHENY | Scenic Design
  • LINDA PISANO | Costume Design
  • MICHAEL LINCOLN | Lighting Design
  • ANDREW HOPSON | Composer
  • TODD MACK REISCHMAN | Sound Design
  • MARIEL GREENLEE | Choreographer
  • BRENT E. MARTY | Musical Director

SPECIAL EVENTS

FIRST RESPONDERS $10 OFF DISCOUNT

November Performances + December 26 | Varied Performance Times
The IRT honors police, fire & first responders with a $10 off discount to this production for all November performances, excluding November 30 at 7PM. Discount can also be used for the 1PM performance on December 26. Valid ID must be presented to redeem.

CAROL CAST AND AUTOGRAPHS

Saturday, November 23, 2019 | Performance at 3 PM
Mingle and take photos with the cast of A Christmas Carol immediately after this performance. Bring your programs and get cast autographs!

REINDEER VISIT

Friday, November 29, 2019 | Performance at 5 PM
Santa’s elf and reindeer return to the IRT for another year! Visit the IRT from 4:00 to 5:00 PM and meet the duo that is sure to make you feel merry and bright.

OPENING NIGHT

Saturday, November 30, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Raise a glass and cheers to the cast and crew at IRT’s Opening Night! After the show, delight in a champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, and mingle with IRT Artisans.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Saturday, November 30, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Grab your friends and family and have your holiday photo taken by our professional photographer. Photos will be taken from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and will be uploaded online for patrons to access and share.

CAROL CAST AND AUTOGRAPHS

Sunday, December 1, 2019 | Performance at 1 PM
Mingle and take photos with the cast of A Christmas Carol immediately after this performance. Bring your programs and get cast autographs!

MEET THE DIRECTOR | Benjamin Hanna

Friday, December 6, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Starting at 6:15 PM, meet the director of A Christmas Carol, Benjamin Hanna, for a special pre-show chat about this treasured Indy holiday tradition.

HAPPY HOUR

Saturday, December 7, 2019 | Happy Hour starts at 5:30 PM | Performances at 4 & 7 PM
Start your evening at the Theatre with IRT’s Happy Hour! Beginning at
5:30 PM, sample drinks from local distilleries, breweries and more before the performance. Sip, savor, and save with half-price drinks at the bar available throughout the evening.

REINDEER VISIT

Sunday, December 8, 2019 | Performance at 2 PM
Santa’s elf and reindeer return to the IRT for another year! Visit the IRT from 1:00 to 2:00 PM and meet the duo that is sure to make you feel merry and bright.

ASL/AD PERFORMANCE

Sunday, December 8, 2019 | Performance at 2 PM
The IRT offers ASL/AD services to our patrons with vision and hearing needs. Patrons with hearing needs are encouraged to sit in the interpretation zone and meet with the interpreter before the show. We also offer Assisted Listening Devices free of charge at each performance. To learn more visit irtlive.com/accessibility.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Sunday, December 8, 2019 | Following the 2 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Sunday, December 8, 2019 | Performance at 6 PM
Grab your friends and family and have your holiday photo taken by our professional photographer. Photos will be taken from 5:00 to 6:00 PM and will be uploaded online for patrons to access and share.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Friday, December 13, 2019 | Following the 7 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

IRT ARTISAN MARKET

Saturday, December 14, 2019 | Performances at 1 PM, 4 PM, & 7 PM
Surrounding each performance this day, stroll through the Grand Lobby and shop our very own IRT Artisan Market! Featuring the creations of IRT staff, give the gift of their one-of-a-kind handmade work.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Saturday, December 14, 2019 | Performances at 1 PM & 4 PM
Grab your friends and family and have your holiday photo taken by our professional photographer. Photos will be taken from 2:30 to 4:00 PM and will be uploaded online for patrons to access and share.

PETTISVILLE CHOIR CAROLING

Sunday, December 15, 2019 | Performance at 2 PM
From 1:00 to 1:45 PM, enjoy the Pettisville Show Choir as they perform holiday carols in the Grand Lobby before the 2 PM show.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Sunday, December 15, 2019 | Following the 2 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Grab your friends and family and have your holiday photo taken by our professional photographer. Photos will be taken from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and will be uploaded online for patrons to access and share.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Tuesday, December 17, 2019 | Following the 7 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

CAROL CAST AND AUTOGRAPHS

Wednesday, December 18, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Mingle and take photos with the cast of A Christmas Carol immediately after this performance. Bring your programs and get cast autographs!

REINDEER VISIT

Thursday, December 19, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Santa’s elf and reindeer return to the IRT for another year! Visit the IRT from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and meet the duo that is sure to make you feel merry and bright.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Thursday, December 19, 2019 | Following the 7 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION with Costume Designer Linda Pisano

Friday, December 20, 2019 | Following the 7 PM performance
Stay after the performance for a post-show discussion with Costume Designer Linda Pisano, the designer behind the all-new costumes for A Christmas Carol. Pisano serves as chair of the Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance at IU Bloomington, where she is a professor of costume design. Hear about her inspiration and her design process for this exciting redesign.

MEET THE ARTIST | Kyle Ragsdale

Saturday, December 21, 2019 | Performance at 1 PM
For the past six seasons, the IRT has collaborated with Kyle Ragsdale, one of Indianapolis’ most prolific artists, to create our production artwork. Before the show, meet Kyle and have him sign your program or the coloring page he’s created just for IRT’s A Christmas Carol.

FAMILY PHOTOS

Saturday, December 21, 2019 | Performances at 4 PM & 7 PM
Grab your friends and family and have your holiday photo taken by our professional photographer. Photos will be taken from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and will be uploaded online for patrons to access and share.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSION

Sunday, December 22, 2019 | Following the 1 PM performance
Join IRT staff and cast immediately after the performance for a post-show discussion that covers a variety of interesting topics related to the show. Post-show discussions typically last for 20 minutes.

CAROL CAST AND AUTOGRAPHS

Monday, December 23, 2019 | Performance at 7 PM
Mingle and take photos with the cast of A Christmas Carol immediately after this performance. Bring your programs and get cast autographs!

REINDEER VISIT

Tuesday, December 24, 2019 | Performances at 1 PM & 4 PM
Santa’s elf and reindeer return to the IRT for another year! Visit the IRT from 2:30 to 4:00 PM and meet the duo that is sure to make you feel merry and bright.

SENSORY FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Thursday, December 26, 2019 | Performance at 1 PM
Sensory Friendly performances are designed to create a welcoming experience for all, including those with autism or other sensory sensitivities. Elements of this performance may be adapted to ensure the comfort of all of our audience members.


ABOUT THE IRT

Founded in 1971, the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is the largest professional not-for-profit theatre in the state and one of the leading regional theatres in the country. The mission of the Indiana Repertory Theatre is to produce top-quality, professional theatre and related activities, providing experiences that will engage, surprise, challenge, and entertain people throughout their lifetimes, helping us build a vital and vibrant community.

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