LifeHouse Theater celebrates the Christmas season with the award-winning original musical, “Scrooge,” an Inland Empire Christmas tradition. Based on Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this critically acclaimed adaptation by Wayne R. Scott tunefully brings the timeless tale to life through music, dance, humorous rhyme and dynamic staging.
A holiday favorite, “Scrooge” will be performed at LifeHouse Theater with safety measures in place for the protection of audiences. Guests will be seated in family groups, socially distanced, and are asked to wear a mask. Additional safety precautions include plexiglass in the box office and touchless hand sanitation stations. Capacity will be limited.
Performances begin Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM and will continue on weekends through December 30, 2020. Performances are Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM (except Opening Night) and 7:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM. In addition to the weekend performances, there will be special weekday performances on December 17, 28, 29 and 30 at 7:00 PM.
Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-11 (no children under 3 are admitted) and can be purchased over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard by calling (909) 335-3037. Tickets are available online at boxoffice.lifehousetheater.com. Checks can also be mailed to LifeHouse, provided reservations are made far enough in advance. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office, which is open Fridays from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and one hour prior to performance times on the weekends. Guests are encouraged to reserve seats early as capacity is limited.
“Scrooge” marks the reprise of an Inland Empire holiday favorite seen by thousands throughout Southern California on tour from Palm Springs to San Diego over the last 34 years. Featuring a faithful retelling of Dickens’ immortal tale and a rousing score of original songs, “Scrooge” offers audiences a heartwarming and festive tribute to the Christmas season.
“I am humbled by the support from the public for this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale,” comments Scott, founder and president of LifeHouse Theater in Redlands. “We look forward to bringing some much needed Christmas cheer with this beautiful Christmas story of hope, renewal and redemption.”
“Scrooge” is directed by Jennifer M. DeWitt and Jonathan Bushey. DeWitt also choreographs the production. The production staff includes vocal director Sarah Pearce and costumer Tiffany Michel. Scenic design is by Jacob Michel with sound and lighting by Zach Michel.
“Scrooge” features Nick Diliberto playing the miserly title character. Ashtin Loya plays Bob Cratchit and Dunlin Manson is Tiny Tim. Meigan Karraker, Diana Handy and Paul Zanone represent the three Ghosts of Christmas with Jeremy Yeo appearing as Jacob Marley. The cast also features Sarah Pearce as Mrs. Cratchit, Zach Swan as Fred Hollywell, Alisha Doussett as Belle and Jennifer M. DeWitt, Jonathan Bushey and Wayne R. Scott alternating as the Storyteller.
"Scrooge” began its life 34 years ago as a video project under the name of “Good News, Scrooge” for Scott, who was then teaching at Arrowhead Christian Academy. But during the writing process, Scott conceived of the stage version of this production. “In my mind’s eye, I could see the set take shape and I knew exactly how it could work in a live stage setting. So I decided to take a leap of faith and mount the production at the Clock Auditorium in Redlands,” he recalled.
On December 14, 1986 “Good News, Scrooge!” opened to a sold out crowd. After that first sold out production of “Good News, Scrooge,” the show continued to perform each year, even bringing in well-known actor Clifton Davis to play the Storyteller in 1989 and 1990. “Clifton Davis at the time was best known for his role on the TV series ‘Amen.’ We sent him the request to be a part of the production and to our delight, he liked the script so much that he agreed to come perform with us,” Scott commented.
After reworking the script a bit and now calling the production simply “Scrooge,” Scott used the show as the first production for his new non-profit theater company, LifeHouse Theater. The troupe toured the production to multiple locations throughout the Inland Empire before settling in at what would became the first home for LifeHouse Theater at an office mall on New Jersey Street in Redlands. The musical has continued to be produced throughout LifeHouse Theater’s official 27 seasons to the delight of thousands of guests who rediscover the production each time it returns.
“Scrooge” has also been performed throughout the country and internationally by other theater companies, including most recently Spiritual Twist Productions in North Carolina.
LifeHouse Theater’s 27th season continues in the new year with “The Wizard of Oz” (January 16 – February 14, 2021), “Noah” (February 27 – March 28, 2021), “Little Women” (April 17 – May 9, 2021), “Peter Pan” (May 22 – June 27, 2021), “Moses” (July 10 – August 15, 2021), “Snow White” (August 28 – September 26, 2021) and “Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles” (October 9 – 24, 2021). Money-saving season passes are now on sale at the LifeHouse Theater Box Office.
The theater is located at 1135 N. Church St. in Redlands, next to the Redlands Christian School. Free parking is available in back of the theater. More information can be found by visiting the website at www.lifehousetheater.com.
For more information, please call (909) 335-3037.
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