Lyric Theatre celebrates the holiday season with "A Christmas Carol"

Scene from Lyric’s 2017 production of A Christmas Carol. Photo provided.

Oklahoma’s favorite holiday tradition, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol, presented by Devon Energy, returns in its 2018 edition to Oklahoma City’s Plaza District featuring joyous music, dazzling costumes and an acclaimed Broadway actor reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. 

Performances are November 23 through December 24 at Lyric’s Plaza Theatre, 1725 NW 16 St. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $25.

“Charles Dickens’ story stands the test of time as the greatest holiday story in the modern English language,” said Michael Baron, Lyric’s Producing Artistic Director, and director of this production. “Lyric’s A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition, now in its eighth year. We know it’s an important story to the community and is often the first live theatrical experience for many children.”

In Dickens’ timeless tale, three magical ghosts whisk the miserly Scrooge away on an unforgettable adventure of transformation and redemption. Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, The Fezziwigs and a host of unforgettable characters spring to life in Lyric’s spectacular production sparking the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages.

Returning for his third holiday production with Lyric is Broadway’s Dirk Lumbard as Scrooge. The cast features many Lyric favorites, including Charlie Monnot as Bob Cratchit, Thomas E. Cunningham as Jacob Marley/Mr. Fezziwig/Old Joe, Mateja Govich as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Susan Riley as a solicitor, Matthew Alvin Brown as Topper, Lexi Windsor as Belle, Jennifer Teel as Mrs. Fred and Brenda Williams as Mrs. Dilber.  The production also includes Andi Dema as Fred/Young Scrooge, Natalya Fisher as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Kizzie Ledbetter as Mrs. Cratchit.

The annual production will feature two rotating casts of seven children each. The Holly cast includes Camille Matlock (Martha), Seth McConnell (Tiny Tim), Braden Henson (Peter), Eleanor Harris (Belinda/School Girl), Serena Feng (Fan/School Girl), Colton Anderson (Turkey Boy/Boy Scrooge) and Myles Currin-Moore (School Boy). The Ivy cast stars Emily Trnka (Martha), Taylor Grigsby (Tiny Tim), Nate Peterson (Peter/Boy Scrooge), Erin Thompson (Belinda/School Girl), Emma I.X. Wells (Fan/School Girl), Zenon Hendrix (Turkey Boy/School Boy) and Ainsley Manners (School Girl).

Lyric’s artistic team includes choreography by Ashley Wells, music direction by Brian T. Hamilton, lighting design by Weston Wilkerson, set design by Kimberly Powers, costume design by Jeffrey Meek, sound design by Brad Poarch and props design by Courtney Strong. 

To continue an equally cherished holiday tradition, Lyric Theatre invites audiences to contribute to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma following each performance. During the past seven years, Lyric Theatre patrons have donated over $140,000 to help feed thousands of Oklahomans in need.

To purchase tickets to the production, or for more information, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org, or call Lyric’s box office at (405) 524-9312. This production is presented by Devon Energy. Additional sponsors include The O.K. Detrick Foundation, Mark and Beverly Funke/Simmons Bank, AT&T Oklahoma and Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores.

Lyric Theatre was founded in 1963 and is the state’s leading professional theatre company. Lyric produces classic and contemporary musicals, new works, and plays featuring artists from Oklahoma and around the nation. Shows are presented in both the intimate Plaza Theatre and in the summer at the grand Civic Center Music Hall. For more information, visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.org.

The Gayly – November 30, 2018 @ 12:15 p.m. CST.