Xmas Carol w/F. Murray Abraham, James Garner...

[ivandixon]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 9:06am

The Xmas Carol production with F. Murray Abraham, James Garner, Stockard Channing, Timothy Hutton, Wayne Knight and George Wendt will now open at the Merriam in Philadelphia Nov 24th...then on to the Shubert in Boston...the Lyric in Baltimore..the Orpheum in Mpls and the Lyric in Chicago.

[Edie2]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 1:38pm

Thanks for the update, Ivan. Can you tell me the dates that Christmas Carol will play at the Shubert in Boston and when the tickets will go on sale? Thanks.

[ivandixon]

Posted: 10/4/09 at 3:26pm

It'll play the Shubert Dec 1-6. A five day presale will be offered Oct 13-17 with public sale starting Oct 18th. Like the other four cities, price scale ranges from a low of $17.50 in the balcony on Tuesday night to a high of $67.50 for an orch seat on Saturday. Kids 12 & under are half price for all performances.

[Edie2]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 4:57pm

Hello Ivan,

Any update on the info for the Shubert in Boston? I just spoke with the box office and after 15 minutes of searching they told me that they have no information whatsoever about a production of Christmas Carol Dec. 1 - 6 playing at the Shubert.

Thanks.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 10/13/09 at 6:45pm

Hey Edie -- I don't have as much info as Ivan does, but according to this article that I found the other day, it still is supposed to play in Boston.

http://www.twincities.com/entertainment/ci_13529931?nclick_check=1

[MCfan2]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 8:11am

Uh-oh. "Time Out Chicago" says Hutton and Channing are out, and the producer has a shady history.

Now they tell us.

*Sigh*

http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/2009/10/casting-about-christmas-carol-stars-already-dropping/
Updated On: 10/15/09 at 08:11 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 8:16am

Same guy last year. Major oops.
The Prior Xmas Carol Tragedy

[MCfan2]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 8:24am

Swell. James Garner had better be there, and not as a hologram, or I'll be raising a stink. (I think someone on this board said he actually is supposed to be there, but now, who knows?)

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 10/15/09 at 3:57pm

Wait, is F. Murray Abraham playing Scrooge? Because whenever I look at him, I think 'Scrooge.'

[ivandixon]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 12:27am

Time out had it wrong and retracted later. Sir John Gielgud WAS NOT billed nor advertised last year as the narrator. He was paid in full 15 yrs ago although Equity did force me to pay for his health insurance and pension last year when we used our recording made in 1992. Only Equity would require health contributions for a man that has been dead for ten years.
The individual who raised the financing for the 2008 Kodak production, ironically one of the producers of "Catch Me If You Can", diverted nearly a quarter of a million dollars for his personal use instead of funding the production as the investors were led to believe. Beverly Hills attorneys Glenn Litwak and Alain Bonavida have filed suit against this individual and will confirm what I say toi anyone that cares. This is why we had trouble last year and I took the fall. The lack of the investor cash caused us to open later than planned (Dec 22) and with only five days of rehearsal. Anyone who saw the 2008 production after the fourth or fifth performance saw a completely different show. Timothy Hutton and Stockard Channing share a common manager. On 16Sep she authorized me to advertise her clients. Yesterday she phoned and stated that both Hutton and Channing had read negative blogs about the 2008 production and were pulling out. The blogs themselves become self-fulfilling!We still have an exceptional cast in F. Murray Abraham (Scrooge), James Garner (Dickens/narrator and live on stage!!!), Wayne Knight (Xmas Past), George Wendt (various) and now Dame Edna as Xmas Past!!! (just wanted to see if you were paying attention...no Dame Edna). We will have three times as much rehearsal this year with a supporting cast that includes many of last year's actors. I, like Scrooge, am seeking redemption. Sometimes it isn't easy.

[bk]

Posted: 10/16/09 at 3:53am

Try hiring a professional director - that might be a good first step.

[gregorypeccadillo]

Posted: 10/19/09 at 3:32pm

Any word on who'll be replacing Hutton and/or Channing? I gather Jane Leeves was in the LA production; I'd like to see her.

I imagine the chance to see James Garner live will pull in many nostalgic boomers, and I'm very much one of them. Glad he's still on board.

[sdue]

Posted: 10/26/09 at 11:23am

I just heard from one of the local theatre representatives here in Minneapolis that A Christmas Carol was being canceled. Is this true?

[bk]

Posted: 10/29/09 at 1:14am

Yes. Read the article, it says everything you need to know. After IvanDixon came on with all his cronies posting as if they were members of this board (just look at the join dates for each and every person posting and asking all those excited questions), it is not surprising to anyone that this has happened.