Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol
A Manual Cinema Production
Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens
Devised by Manual Cinema
Additional Writing by Nate Marshall
THE AWE-INSPIRING, ONE-OF-A-KIND RENDITION OF THE DICKENS CLASSIC RETURNS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.
About the Play
An avowed holiday skeptic, Aunt Trudy has been recruited to channel her late husband Joe’s Christmas cheer in a family Zoom call turned puppet show. But as Trudy becomes more absorbed in her own version of the Ebenezer Scrooge story, the puppets take on a life of their own, and the family’s call transforms into a stunningly cinematic adaptation of this beloved ghost story. Named one of Chicago Tribune’s Top Shows of 2022, the awe-inspiring, one-of-a-kind rendition of the Dickens classic returns this holiday season.
Audience Guide
Enhance your play-going experience with these videos, podcasts, and articles!
WATCH interview with Manual Cinema Co-Artistic Director Ben Kauffman.
LISTEN to our latest episode of The Green Room with Manual Cinema Co-Artistic Director
Drew Dir, recorded live at WT.
READ
- An introduction to Manual Cinema and their work. Read full article>
- An overview of Charles Dickens’s original story and how it became so famous. Read full article>
Showtimes
Evenings
Tuesdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm
select Sundays at 6pm
Matinees
Saturdays at 3pm
select Sundays at 2pm
select Wednesdays at 3pm
- This is a reserved seat venue. Doors to the performance space will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the performance.
- There is no late seating or readmittance.
- For performances listed as “Sold Out,” contact the Box Office for more information about our standby and wait list options as well as for assistance locating currently available dates and times.
Meet the Artists
CAST
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Lizi Breit
(Puppeteer)
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Teiana Davis
(Lead Vocals, Keys, Piano)
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LaKecia Harris (Aunt Trudy) |
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Lucy Little (Violin, Vocals) |
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Julia Miller*
(Puppeteer)
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Jeffrey Paschal (Puppeteer) |
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Kyle Vegter*
(Cello, Keys, Bass)
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Ben Kauffman*
(Lead Vocals, Keys, Piano)
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Nora Barton (Cello, Keys, Bass) |
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Felix Mayes (Puppeteer) |
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Kevin Michael Wesson (Puppeteer) |
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Josh Bernaski (u/s Puppeteer) |
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Kaylah Crosby (u/s Aunt Trudy) |
CREATIVE TEAM
Drew Dir* (Storyboards and Puppet Design
Ben Kauffman* & Kyle Vegter* (Original Score and Sound Design)
Trey Brazeal (Lighting Design)
Hannah Wien (Associate Lighting Design)
Julia Miller* (Costume Design)
Rae Watson (Properties Design)
Julia Miller* & Lizi Breit (Puppet Build Assistants)
Natalie Cohen (Stage Manager)
Darcy Hofer (Costume Supervisor)
Amanda Hosking (Audio and Video Supervisor)
Raphael Grimes (Lighting Supervisor)
Molly Garrison (Lighting Programmer)
Karen Thompson (Light Board Operator)
Devan Castle (Sound Engineer)
*Denotes a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers.
Reviews
Praise for MANUAL CINEMA'S CHRISTMAS CAROL!
(out of 4) "An extraordinarily moving 80-minute experience." - Chicago Tribune
(out of 4) "true magic" - Chicago Sun-Times
(out of 4) "Artfully crafted, beautifully acted…a must-see.” - Daily Herald
“A Unique Gift to Open NOW!” - Katy Walsh at The Fourth Walsh
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - “This is perfection, sheer perfection.” - Around the Town Chicago
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - “imaginative...version of the world’s favorite holiday story” - Chicago Theatre Reviews
CHRISTMAS CAROL Production Photos
MANUAL CINEMA'S CHRISTMAS CAROL
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