Ellen stage features Dickens classic this holiday season
Bah, humbug! – the opposite of how audiences will feel after experiencing Montana TheatreWorks’ holiday production of A Christmas Carol. The producers of Damn Yankees, Annie and Oklahoma! bring the Charles Dickens classic to life at Downtown Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre. Directed by Mark Kuntz, the play opens December 6th and runs for eleven stagings, closing on Dec. 22nd.
A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a misguided miser visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they help him become a kinder, more generous man. Local favorite Joel Jahnke reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge. Parents should note this production is a faithful adaptation to the book, including supernatural and spooky elements which some young children may be frightened by.
Friday and Saturday performances of A Christmas Carol begin at 7:30pm, followed by a 3pm Sunday matinee. Two additional shows will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 18th and 19th, at 7:30pm. Tickets to this holiday production are $18 for Upper Balcony and youth (17 and under), $22.25 for Main Floor and Mezzanine, and $33 for premium seating.
The spirited festivities continue with a free screening of holiday staple It’s a Wonderful Life on Monday, December 16th. Sponsored by Edward Jones, the film begins at 7pm.
This 1946 classic tells the bittersweet tale of George Bailey (James Stewart), a man who has given up his dreams to help others. His imminent suicide on Christmas Eve leads to the intervention of his guardian angel who shows George all the lives he has touched, and how different life in his community would be had he never been born.
No ticket needed, just show up! This screening of It’s a Wonderful Life is open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
Wine, beer and concessions will be sold in the lobby one hour before all events. Ticketing and further information about these and other upcoming happenings is available at www.theellentheatre.org. For additional inquiries, call (406) 585-5885 or stop into The Ellen box office. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1–3pm, as well as two hours prior to any event. •