Farmington Players: "A Christmas Carol" (With A Twist) -Dickens & his friends tell the story December 18, 2011

The Farmington players will bring Charles Dickens' classic ghost story to life in a whole new way December 2nd – 18th. This fresh approach to A Christmas Carol, finds Dickens himself hosting a Christmas Eve party in 1843 for friends and family. They ask him to tell a story, but he refuses to work. So, if they are to be entertained they will have to improvise their own tale.
They soon transform into the familiar characters of A Christmas Carol, to perform a play within a play. The story unfolds with ten cast members handling more than 40 parts and Dickens doubling as Scrooge.
On the Farmington Players stage, Dickens/Scrooge is played by well-known Barn member Dorne LeFere, who most recently portrayed Max Bialystock in the Barn’s spring musical, The Producers.
LeFere enjoys switching between Dickens, whom he calls a “fun loving full-of- life writer,” and the crotchety Scrooge, who interacts with the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future on the road to redemption. “I love the challenge of going between the characters, sometimes within the same paragraph,” says LeFere.

He believes audiences will be captivated by the unique version of the familiar holiday fable. “The story is so timeless and uplifting that you can’t watch it without coming away feeling good,” says LeFere.

Director Nancy Cooper feels this version of A Christmas Carol is a real treat for families. She invites parents and children to visit the Barn and experience “the spirits” of Christmas. “The Christmas Carol allows audiences to see within the heart and soul of Dickens,” says Cooper. “Who would ever think of a ghost story at Christmas ? But the story wasn’t just scary. It was happy, sad, funny, joyful, remorseful, and above all, hopeful! ,” she says. “How wonderful to think that you can wake up in the morning and truly be a better person! “

Tickets for A Christmas Carol are available now at farmingtonplayers.org or at the box office 248-553-2955. Questions about the show may be emailed to Achristmascarol@farmingtonplayers.org.

Opening Night Afterglow
On Friday December 2nd, patrons can mingle and share holiday treats with Dickens/Scrooge, and the rest of the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol.
Families Enjoy New Saturday Matinees

The Barn added two Saturday matinees on December 10th and 17th at 2pm to accommodate families who prefer to come during the day. Children will get to take photos with Scrooge after both shows.

Show Dates & Times
Friday December 2, 8pm - Opening Night Afterglow
Saturday December 3, 8pm
Sunday December 4, 2pm – seniors $2 off
Thursday December 8, 8pm – Thrifty Thursday $2 Off
Friday December 9, 8pm
Saturday December 10, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday December 11, 2pm
Thursday December 15, 8pm—Thrifty Thursday $2 Off
Friday December 16, 8pm
Saturday December 17, 2pm & 8pm
Sunday December 18, 2pm

TICKETS

Tickets are available at both www.farmingtonplayers.org and the box office at 248-553-2955.

• Adults: $16
• Students: $2 off any performance
• Senior Sunday: $2 off ONLY on December 4
• Thrifty Thursday: $2 off ONLY on December 8 & December 15
• Group Discounts: $2 off any show with a group of ten or more people.
Location
The Farmington Players Barn is located at 32332 W. 12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills Michigan 48334. It’s the big white barn on the north side of 12 mile between Orchard Lake and Farmington Rd.

Official Website: http://farmingtonplayers.org/