Hale Centre Theatre Rejuvenates the Spirit of Christmas with ‘A Christmas Carol’

West Valley - Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” returns to Hale Centre Theatre for its 31st season in December. The iconic holiday story brings families together during the holiday season to rejuvenate the Christmas spirit in all who see it. Tickets are on sale now for the holiday musical, scheduled to run Dec. 5 – 24. 

“Everyone in the Hale Centre Theatre family looks forward to ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Sally Dietlein, HCT vice president and executive producer, said. “This wondrous tale of forgiveness and redemption rings with the true spirit of the season. We’ve added several new cast members who provide strong musical performances that are only enhanced by the lush new costumes, make-up artistry and the intimate theatre-in-the-round seating. This is a Christmas present you’ve just got to give to your family.” 

“After 12 years of directing this production, it’s something I think about all year,” director John J. Sweeney said. “My goal is not to reinvent this holiday classic every year, but rather to evolve different parts of the story. This year we have ghosts that hover across the stage and others that fly over the audience. This show is something I never get tired of.” 

Hale Centre Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” is true to Charles Dickens’ 1843 novel. Former BYU professor, actor and Dickens scholar, Richard Wilkins adapted the story. Utahn Barlow Bradford, arranged and orchestrated the music, which features authentic-to-the-time carols such as “Silent Night,” “Deck the Halls” and “Away in a Manger.” 

HCT’s “A Christmas Carol” is double cast with talented Utah actors: David Weekes and Stephen Kerr as Ebenezer Scrooge; Adam Dietlein and Spencer Bean as Charles Dickens and Scrooge’s nephew, Fred; Ryan Poole and Josh Richardson as Bob Cratchit; Matt Kohler and Anthony Lovato as Jacob Marley; DRU and David Stensrud as Ghost of Christmas Present and Anson Bagley and Aimee Johnson as Ghost of Christmas Past. 

Mark Dietlein is the producer of the play, and John J. Sweeney serves as the director. Anne Puzey is the music director, and Marilyn May Montgomery serves as the choreographer. Kacey Udy is the set designer for the production. Kristy Draper is the costume designer and Trisha Ison is the hair and make-up designer, Adam Flitton is the lighting designer, and Shane Steel is the sound designer. Michael Hadley is the properties designer, with production assistance by Jamie Sanduk. 

HCT will present nearly 40 consecutive performances of “A Christmas Carol.” Performance times are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and matinees are on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. HCT will also have multiple 2 p.m. weekday performances. No children under the age of five are permitted in the theater. Ticket prices are $32 for adults for performances before Dec. 11, and $35 thereafter. Children ages five through 11 are just $16. 

For ticket information call 801-984-9000, go to www.hct.org, or visit the box office at 3333 S. Decker Lake Drive in West Valley City. For updates, contests and information on the current theater season, follow Hale Centre Theatre on Facebook. 

In conjunction with the production, the HCT Applauds honoree for “A Christmas Carol” is Playworks. Playworks’ vision is to create a place for every kid on the playground: a place where every kid belongs, has fun and is part of the game.