By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–”A Christmas Carol” returns to Cygnet Theatre for its eighth season of cheer.
It has become a true holiday favorite, with San Diegans making Scrooge, the Spirits, and the Cratchit family part of their holiday tradition. This year the show features the same warm story of hope and redemption, along with new cast members including a new Scrooge.
Cygnet’s own Sean Murray, who has directed the holiday musical for the past eight seasons, will step into the role in 2022. The family-friendly musical runs from November 22 to December 24 at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town.
Written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Sean Murray, with an original score by Billy Thompson, “A Christmas Carol” is Charles Dickens’s timeless tale of hope and redemption. This production is a re-imagined take on the original holiday classic featuring lively music, unique puppets, and live sound effects.
“Why do I keep coming back to this story? I have always found myself discovering new points, new observations, new insights in it upon every encounter with Mr. Scrooge and his night of reckoning,” Murray reflects. “I’m fascinated by his astonishing face-off with his own past and how that might shape all his future deeds. Or the majestic sweep of the present and the rich, complicated world of interconnected people we all are. And of course, the imagery of a future world without oneself in it, and the notion of how one’s deeds in life will foreshadow one’s legacy. It all never ceases to amaze me how much there is in this beloved story.”
Joining Murray on stage are David McBean, Patrick McBride, Eileen Bowman, Megan Carmitchel, Jasmine January, and Allen Lucky Weaver. With the exception of Murray, all actors play multiple roles.
As part of the theatre’s accessibility and inclusion efforts, this year sees the return of a sensory-friendly performance, which will be held on December 21 at 10 a.m. The performances are designed to create a welcoming and comfortable arts experience for people with autism, sensory sensitivity, or other social, learning or cognitive disabilities. In addition to this accessibility event, the theatre will hold an ASL-Interpreted performance on December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
For audience members who cannot attend an in-person performance, Cygnet will stream its filmed one-man adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” directed by and starring Sean Murray. Tickets are $28 per household and will be available for streaming from November 22 to December 31.
Tickets for “A Christmas Carol” are on sale and may be purchased in person at the box office located at 4040 Twiggs Street in San Diego Old Town Historic State Park, by calling (619) 337-1525 or by visiting www.cygnettheatre.com. Children 5 to 12 years old receive half-off tickets with each paid adult.
