A Christmas Carol
Adaptation & Lyrics by Sean Murray
Original Score by Billy Thompson
Directed by Sean Murray
Music Direction by Patrick Marion
Sentimental • Traditional • Ghostly
Cygnet’s holiday smash hit is back for its eighth season! Enjoy the holiday classic adapted from Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption. This imaginative production features original music, creative stagecraft and puppetry, and live sound effects. Step into a Victorian Christmas card for a unique storytelling experience that is sure to delight the entire family!
It’s not Christmas without “A Christmas Carol,” and this is the best one around. –SDGLN.com
The sensory-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol is on Wednesday, December 27 at 10:00 a.m. For tickets, please call the Box Office at (619) 337-1525.
Digital Program
Cast
Eileen BowmanEileen Bowman
Mrs Dilbur, Past, Mrs Fezziwig, Mrs Cratchit and other rolesEileen was last seen at Cygnet in On The 20th Century as Lily. Other favorite roles include Alice Beineke in Moonlight’s The Addams Family, Ruthless the musical as Judy Denmark at Moxie Theater, Broadway Vista’s Doyle and Debbie Show, Judy Garland in the critically acclaimed End of The Rainbow at Intrepid Theater, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Lamb’s Theater (theater critics award), Keely Stevens in Pete n Keely also at Lamb’s Theater, (critics circle nomination), Amy in Company at Cygnet Theatre just to name a few. To my perfect husband and wonderful family I am so grateful for your support. I love you!!!
Megan CarmitchelMegan Carmitchel
Past, Boy Scrooge, Belle, Tiny Tim, Martha Cratchit and other rolesMegan is so grateful to be back in the theatre with this wonderful group of people! This is her fourth season performing with A Christmas Carol. She has also been seen at Cygnet in Cabaret, Rock of Ages and A Little Night Music. Other recent credits include Lamb’s Players Theatre: Alice!, Persuasion, Big Fish, OZ (World Premiere), You Can’t Take it With You, Quilters, Fiddler on the Roof; Diversionary Theatre: Significant Other, A New Brain, Pippin; New Village Arts: Beehive: The 60’s Musical; The Old Globe: The Last Goodbye (World Premiere), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; La Jolla Playhouse: Weatherman (reading), Without Walls Festival; San Diego Repertory Theatre: The Who’s Tommy; CCAE Theatricals: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Welk Resort Theatre: South Pacific, Stepping Out. She attended San Francisco State University where she studied vocal performance and theatre.
Jasmine JanuaryJasmine January
Solicitor, Past, Belinda Cratchit, Laundress, Turkey Boy and other rolesJasmine is a proud alum of the illustrious Howard University(BFA in Musical Theatre). Some of her regional credits include Cabaret (Cygnet), Into the Woods (NVA), Sister Act (SDMT), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (NVA), Avenue Q (NVA), This Beautiful City (Diversionary), Qulili (Blindspot Collective). She is incredibly grateful for her cast and team on this production. Jasmine dedicates her art to her family, friends, and all those who continue to support her. Her Mantra: “Live in your truth, be grateful, and expect divine favor.”
Eileen Bowman
Eileen was last seen at Cygnet in On The 20th Century as Lily. Other favorite roles include Alice Beineke in Moonlight’s The Addams Family, Ruthless the musical as Judy Denmark at Moxie Theater, Broadway Vista’s Doyle and Debbie Show, Judy Garland in the critically acclaimed End of The Rainbow at Intrepid Theater, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Lamb’s Theater (theater critics award), Keely Stevens in Pete n Keely also at Lamb’s Theater, (critics circle nomination), Amy in Company at Cygnet Theatre just to name a few. To my perfect husband and wonderful family I am so grateful for your support. I love you!!!
Megan Carmitchel
Megan is so grateful to be back in the theatre with this wonderful group of people! This is her fourth season performing with A Christmas Carol. She has also been seen at Cygnet in Cabaret, Rock of Ages and A Little Night Music. Other recent credits include Lamb’s Players Theatre: Alice!, Persuasion, Big Fish, OZ (World Premiere), You Can’t Take it With You, Quilters, Fiddler on the Roof; Diversionary Theatre: Significant Other, A New Brain, Pippin; New Village Arts: Beehive: The 60’s Musical; The Old Globe: The Last Goodbye (World Premiere), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; La Jolla Playhouse: Weatherman (reading), Without Walls Festival; San Diego Repertory Theatre: The Who’s Tommy; CCAE Theatricals: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Welk Resort Theatre: South Pacific, Stepping Out. She attended San Francisco State University where she studied vocal performance and theatre.
Jasmine January
Jasmine is a proud alum of the illustrious Howard University(BFA in Musical Theatre). Some of her regional credits include Cabaret (Cygnet), Into the Woods (NVA), Sister Act (SDMT), Smokey Joe’s Cafe (NVA), Avenue Q (NVA), This Beautiful City (Diversionary), Qulili (Blindspot Collective). She is incredibly grateful for her cast and team on this production. Jasmine dedicates her art to her family, friends, and all those who continue to support her. Her Mantra: “Live in your truth, be grateful, and expect divine favor.”
David McBeanDavid McBean
Marley, Dick Wilkins, Present and other rolesDavid was last seen at Cygnet Theater as Zaza/Albin in La Cage aux Folles and in A Christmas Carol. Other credits include Fully Committed (Craig Noel Award), The Legend of Georgia McBride, It’s a Wonderful Life, Dirty Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Book of Liz.
Patrick McBridePatrick McBride
Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig, and other rolesMerry Christmas, again! Patrick is thrilled to be working once more with everyone at Cygnet. Recent acting credits include Intrepid’s School Tour; Captain John Donovan in Hope (Talent to a Muse); Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing (Intrepid); Bishop How/Ensemble in The Elephant Man (Backyard Renaissance/ O.T.C.); and Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig/ Old Joe/Etc. in A Christmas Carol (Cygnet). Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Bullshot Crummund in Bullshot Crummund (PCPA Theaterfest), Laurence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and James Joyce in Travesties. Patrick has also taught theatre for over 25 years and his teaching style fosters a growth mindset, and combines his passion for classical plays with playful improv and creative writing.
Sean MurraySean Murray
Ebenezer ScroogeMr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: Rock of Ages, Angels in America, Spamalot, A Little Night Music, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Animal Crackers, On the 20th Century,The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
David McBean
David was last seen at Cygnet Theater as Zaza/Albin in La Cage aux Folles and in A Christmas Carol. Other credits include Fully Committed (Craig Noel Award), The Legend of Georgia McBride, It’s a Wonderful Life, Dirty Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Book of Liz.
Patrick McBride
Merry Christmas, again! Patrick is thrilled to be working once more with everyone at Cygnet. Recent acting credits include Intrepid’s School Tour; Captain John Donovan in Hope (Talent to a Muse); Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing (Intrepid); Bishop How/Ensemble in The Elephant Man (Backyard Renaissance/ O.T.C.); and Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig/ Old Joe/Etc. in A Christmas Carol (Cygnet). Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Bullshot Crummund in Bullshot Crummund (PCPA Theaterfest), Laurence in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and James Joyce in Travesties. Patrick has also taught theatre for over 25 years and his teaching style fosters a growth mindset, and combines his passion for classical plays with playful improv and creative writing.
Sean Murray
Mr. Murray co-founded Cygnet Theatre in 2002 along with partner Bill Schmidt. Cygnet Theatre: Rock of Ages, Angels in America, Spamalot, A Little Night Music, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Animal Crackers, On the 20th Century,The Rocky Horror Show, Gypsy, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Fool for Love, True West, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, WCYG presents A Christmas Carol, Man of La Mancha, Dirty Blonde, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Our Town, Cabaret, The Tragedy of the Commons, The Norman Conquests, Private Lives, Sweeney Todd, It’s a Wonderful Life, Noises Off, Bed and Sofa ‘09, The History Boys, A Christmas Carol, A Little Night Music (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director), The Receptionist, The Invention of Love, Bed and Sofa ‘04 (SD Critic’s Award, Best Director, Best Musical Revival), Las Meninas, Escanaba in da Moonlight (SD Critic’s Circle, Set Design), The Book of Liz, Pageant, Bug, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, St. Nicholas, The Matchmaker, Desire Under the Elms, Santaland Diaries, Firebugs, Fully Committed, Arcadia, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Little Foxes, My Fair Lady. Elsewhere: North Coast Rep: The Elephant Man (Patté Award, Direction), Man of La Mancha, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties; Diversionary: Never the Sinner, Love! Valour! Compassion!. Education: University of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA). In 2000, Sean was named one of San Diego Magazine’s “50 People to Watch” and in 2005 he was named Producer of the Year by the San Diego Critic’s Circle.
Julia Miranda SmithJulia Miranda Smith
UnderstudyJulia is grateful to spend another holiday season with the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol! In the last year, she worked on two world premieres including Sharon here at Cygnet. Local acting credits include Alex in On the Verge alongside cast member Patrick McBride, Lady Macduff in Macbeth (Luminary Arts), and Fräulein Kost in Cabaret (Palomar College). Proud alum of UC San Diego & Tritones a cappella. Training: William Esper Studio (NYC) & Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC/LA). Dedicated to family, both here & departed.
Allen Lucky WeaverAllen Lucky Weaver
Young Scrooge, Peter Cratchit, Young Man and other rolesLucky is so happy to be returning home to Cygnet for the Holidays and grateful to be part of this company. They received their B.F.A in Musical Theater, from UArts in Philadelphia. Credits: Tour: Miss Saigon (Ensemble / Thuy u.s.). Regional: Angel (Rent), Thuy (Miss Saigon), and Laertes / Guildenstern (Hamlet). LA Theatre: Jenny (Fixed), Erik (Viral), and Jacob (La Cage aux Folles). SD Theatre: Helga / Emcee understudy (Cabaret, Cygnet), Jacob (La Cage aux Folles, Cygnet) and Joey (Eighty-Sixed, Diversionary). Special thanks to Sean, Bill, Patrick, Katie, Sarah, Craig, and Ralph. Much love to his Partner David, Mom, Dad, Sisters, Family, and Friends for their never-ending support.
Julia Miranda Smith
Julia is grateful to spend another holiday season with the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol! In the last year, she worked on two world premieres including Sharon here at Cygnet. Local acting credits include Alex in On the Verge alongside cast member Patrick McBride, Lady Macduff in Macbeth (Luminary Arts), and Fräulein Kost in Cabaret (Palomar College). Proud alum of UC San Diego & Tritones a cappella. Training: William Esper Studio (NYC) & Upright Citizens Brigade (NYC/LA). Dedicated to family, both here & departed.
Allen Lucky Weaver
Lucky is so happy to be returning home to Cygnet for the Holidays and grateful to be part of this company. They received their B.F.A in Musical Theater, from UArts in Philadelphia. Credits: Tour: Miss Saigon (Ensemble / Thuy u.s.). Regional: Angel (Rent), Thuy (Miss Saigon), and Laertes / Guildenstern (Hamlet). LA Theatre: Jenny (Fixed), Erik (Viral), and Jacob (La Cage aux Folles). SD Theatre: Helga / Emcee understudy (Cabaret, Cygnet), Jacob (La Cage aux Folles, Cygnet) and Joey (Eighty-Sixed, Diversionary). Special thanks to Sean, Bill, Patrick, Katie, Sarah, Craig, and Ralph. Much love to his Partner David, Mom, Dad, Sisters, Family, and Friends for their never-ending support.
Creative Team
Billy Thompson
Billy has been a composer, arranger, musical director, orchestrator, accompanist, and performer for stage productions throughout the country, including Ars Nova in New York, The Walnut in Philadelphia, The Old Globe in San Diego, Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish, MT, and here at home with Cygnet. His first full length musical, Invasion! garnered the 2007 LA Weekly Theatre Awards for Best Original Score and Best Musical Direction. Since 2012, he has toured with it gets better, a musical performance and outreach campaign for bullying awareness and suicide prevention, with special emphasis toward the LGBTQ community. Billy holds a BM in Composition from USC and an MFA in Musical Theatre from SDSU. A Christmas Carol is his fifth collaboration with Cygnet Theatre, having previously directed music for Parade, Cabaret, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and It’s A Wonderful Life.
Patrick Marion
Select credits: Cygnet Theatre (Resident Artist): La Cage Aux Folles, The Last Five Years (SD Critics Circle Nominee), Rock Of Ages, Shockheaded Peter (SD Critics Circle Nominee), The Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Carol, Company, Assassins; LPT (Associate Artist): Million Dollar Quartet, Rock and Roll Cabaret, Oz, West Side Story, Les Miserables, miXtape; Welk Resorts Theatre: Nunsense; Diversionary Theatre: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Loneliest Girl In the World.
Katie Banville
Previously at Cygnet: Rock of Ages (Choreographer/Assoc. Director), Spamalot (Choreographer/Assoc. Director), A Christmas Carol (Choreographer), Gypsy (June/Asst. Choreographer), Company (April/Asst. Choreographer), My Fair Lady, Man of La Mancha, Parade, Cabaret. Choreography credits: Beehive: The ‘60s Musicals (Dir/Chor) – Okoboji Summer Theatre; Freaky Friday – San Diego Musical Theatre (Co-Director) and Moonlight Amphitheatre; Tarrytown, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Smokefall – Backyard Renaissance; Beachtown – San Diego Rep; Company – San Diego State University; Man of La Mancha – Oceanside Theatre Company; A Doll’s House (Movement Coordinator) – The Old Globe. Performance credits: The Heart of Rock and Roll, Benny and Joon – The Old Globe; Freaky Friday, Escape to Margaritaville – La Jolla Playhouse. MFA Musical Theatre, San Diego State University; BFA, Illinois Wesleyan University. www.katiebanville.com.
Andrew Hull
Cygnet Theatre: Stupid Fucking Bird, The Rocky Horror Show, A Christmas Carol, The Motherfucker with the Hat, Gem of the Ocean, The Glass Menagerie, Private Lives, Bed and Sofa, and The History Boys. Elsewhere: Hello Dolly (Arrowrock Lyceum Theater), Hay Fever (Black Hills Playhouse), Into The Woods, The Good Person of Szechwan, Desire Under the Elms (San Diego State University), Night of the Iguana, The Man who Came to Dinner, and A Piece of my Heart (Webster University). Andrew is currently working as a Set Designer for TV and film in Los Angeles. He has worked on such productions as Nocturnal Animals, Bright, Straight Outta Compton, Insecure, and Mad Men. Andrew loves spending time in the garden with his family.
Matt Lescault-Wood
Matt Lescault-Wood is excited to be back at Cygnet. Previous credits include; Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, A Behanding In Spokane, Man of La Mancha, Assassins, Company, Spring Awakening, Pageant, Sons of the Prophet, My Fair Lady, Shockheaded Peter, Spamalot, The Last Five Years (Cygnet); Eurydice [2010 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee], Dead Man’s Cell Phone, Hickorydickory, ENRON, Eternally Bad, The Kid Thing, Bliss, Voyeurs de Venus (Moxie); Lizard Boy; The Moors, The Loneliest Girl Alive, This Beautiful City, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Diversionary); Evita, Roz and Ray [2017 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee], Hand To God; Black Pearl Sings, Beachtown, Fun Home, A Doll’s House Part 2, Sweat, 33 1/3: House of Dreams (San Diego REP); Henry V [2014 San Diego Critics Circle Nominee] (New Fortune). Matt has a Degree in Theatrical Design and Technology from SDSU.
Dean Remington
Dean is thrilled to return to the Cygnet having completed successful runs of La Cage aux Folles, The Virgin Trial, Pride and Prejudice, Every Brilliant Thing, The Wind and the Breeze, A Christmas Carol, The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Shockheaded Peter, When the Rain Stops Falling, and Stupid F***ing Bird. National Tours include The Lion King and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. In the UK he was delighted to work with Cameron Mackintosh on his musical, Hey, Mr. Producer! Other highlights include The Luckiest, the Annual Gala and the WoW Festival for La Jolla Playhouse; Outside Mullingar and the world premiere of Manifest Destinitis at San Diego Repertory Theatre; as well as international productions of Grease, 42nd Street, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line and Meet Me in St. Louis.
Colby Freel
Colby is a lighting designer with experience working in many areas of lighting including plays, musicals, ballet, contemporary dance, and concerts, and architecture. Colby is the 2022 Hemsley Lighting Intern working with Paul Miller at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. He is a recent graduate from the MFA program at the School of Theatre, Television and Film at San Diego State University. His most recent production credits include lighting design for the world premiere of Postcard American Town at San Diego State University and assistant lighting design for Sister Act at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, PA.
Peter Herman
Cygnet Theatre: Costumes and Wig/Makeup Design for Shakespeare’s R&J, Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Wigs/Makeup Design for El Huracán, Water by the Spoonful, Life Sucks, La Cage aux Folles, The Great Leap, The Virgin Trial, Rock of Ages, Pride and Prejudice, Angels in America, Marie and Rosetta, HIR, Spamalot, The Last Wife, Shockheaded Peter, On the 20th Century, Bad Jews, Seven Guitars, King Hedley II, Gypsy, Stupid F**king Bird, The Rocky Horror Show, When the Rain Stops Falling, Hay Fever, The Vortex, Dogfight, My Fair Lady, Pageant, Fool for Love, True West, The Motherf**ker with the Hat, Spring Awakening, The Importance of Being Earnest, Travesties, Company, Assassins, A Christmas Carol and many others. Elsewhere: Peter has designed hair and wigs for over 300 productions, including the La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Rep, San Diego Opera and Disneyland. Peter currently teaches wig and makeup at SDSU.
December 2023