A Christmas Carol
Performing December 7-11 2024
Lyell B. Clay Concert Hall
An exciting original West Virginia Public Theatre adaptation of the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from an embittered, stingy creature into a giving, caring human being at the hands of three spirits, who, one Christmas Eve, show him what life means.
If you are a school administrator, teacher, or organization interested in bringing students to a student-only matinee, please follow the link below to view dates, times, and student group prices.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
2:00PM
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Saturday, December 7
7:30PM
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Sunday, December 8, 2024
2:00PM
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
7:30PM
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
7:30PM
Lyell B. Clay Theatre
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The Creative Team
Director – Jerry McGonigle
Jerry McGonigle is the Artistic Director for West Virginia Public Theatre as well as a Professor of Acting in WVU’s School of Theatre & Dance. Jerry has both acted and directed nationally and internationally at such theatres as E.T.A. Hoffman Theatre (Bamberg, Germany), 100 Monkeys Productions (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), West Virginia Public Theatre, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Pac Theatre Co., Missouri Repertory Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, and the Missouri Shakespeare Festival. Recently Jerry directed a film version of King Lear that has been aired on WV Public Television as well as other Public Broadcasting stations throughout the country. The film was also nominated for a regional Emmy Award. He holds a BA from the University of Dallas and an MFA in acting from The American Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco. For West Virginia Public Theatre he recently directed A Christmas Carol, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and A Hatful of Rain. McGonigle’s WVU directing credits include Killing Game, Hot L Baltimore, Cloud Nine, Three Sisters, King Lear, A Lie of the Mind, All My Sons, Arcadia, Macbeth, Dangerous Corner, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Ghost Sonata, The Time of your Life, Oleanna, The Winter’s Tale, Another Part of the Forest, The Shadow Box, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Vinegar Tom, Hamlet, Dracula, The Grapes of Wrath, Julius Caesar, Buried Child, The Cherry Orchard, God of Carnage, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Courtship, Valentine’s Day, Race, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Measure for Measure.
Voice and Dialect Coach – Acacia Daken
Acacia Daken is a Voice and Dialect Coach and Assistant Professor at WVU. She has an MFA in Voice from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and previously taught at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Her credits include Emma Rice/Wise Children’s Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic/World Tour), Girl from the North Country (Bristol Old Vic Studio), Dead Man’s Cellphone and Enron, (Hayman Theatre, Australia) and her film and TV credits include: It Only Takes a Night, Kid Snow, Itch Season 2 (ABC). As an actor she has performed with Black Swan State Theatre Company of Western Australia and her upcoming feature film Lies Within Us is set to premier this November.
Scenic Designer – Tamara L. Honesty
Tamara L. Honesty is Associate Professor of Scenic Design in the School of Theatre & Dance. Her designs have earned recognition regionally, nationally, and internationally. Her work has been showcased in World Stage Design digital gallery, the USA-USITT Prague Quadrennial Gallery Exhibit (along with her student’s work), and USITT. Notable designs include the scenery for An Evening with Groucho for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, which was broadcast on PBS stations nationwide, as well as Merchant of Venice at Cleveland Play House. She has designed the world-premiere productions of This is Tom Jones!, Family Ties, and Banned from Baseball at the Human Race Theatre Company. In 2022, she designed the set for the world-premiere, Off-Broadway play, The Memory Exam, for Oberon Theatre Ensemble at 59E59 Theatres.
Tammy is the Treasurer for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). She is also a proud member of USA Local 829 as a scenic designer.
In 2019, Tammy and a student team at Kent State painted a nearly full-scale 3D-printed replica of Pio Fedi’s Liberty of Poetry which was on display at the Ellis Island National Immigration Museum. She also co-authored The Fake Food Cookbook: Props You Can’t Eat for Theatre, Film and TV.
Costume Designer – Mary McClung
Professor Mary McClung has designed costumes, puppets, and sets for theatre, dance, video, and television for over 20 years. McClung is currently Head of the Costume Design and Technology Program and coordinates Puppetry at West Virginia University. She is author and illustrator of Foam Patterning and Construction Techniques: Turning 2D Designs in to 3D Shapes and Mask Making Techniques: Creating 3-D Characters from 2-D Designs for Theatre, Cosplay, Film, and TV.
Lighting Designer – Alan McEwen
Alan McEwen is currently the Clinical Professor of Lighting and Sound Design at West Virginia University’s School of Theatre and Dance. Alan has designed numerous productions for WVU as well as Whitman College. Other workplaces include Idaho Repertory theatre, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Mountain State Repertory, West Virginia Public Theatre and other companies in various capacities. Alan earned his MFA in Lighting from the University of Oregon.
Stage Manager – Aubrey Sirtautas
Aubrey Sirtautas holds a B.A. in Computer Science from Rice University and an MFA in Stage and Production Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She has worked as a stage manager for the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Weston Playhouse Theatre, Broadway Project, Broadway Workshop, and Geva Theatre Center. Aubrey also worked in non-traditional theatrical environments, including Cirque du Soleil’s Mystére, Dick Clark Productions’ Billboard Music Awards, The Academy of Country Music Awards, and opera productions of Cendrillon and Rinaldo. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and focuses her academic research and professional committee efforts on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
The Cast
Scrooge – Luke Darnell
A fourth-generation performer, Luke Darnell has appeared on 4 continents in arenas, theatres, dive bars, and on camera as an actor, musician, and stuntman. He is delighted to return to Morgantown (Ring of Fire, 2012) to portray this iconic character. This is Luke’s “third generation” Christmas Carol having previously played Peter Cratchit and Fred.
Off Broadway/NYC: The Other Josh Cohen, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Goree All-Girl String Band.
Vegas: Million Dollar Quartet.
Regionals: Matilda, The Understudy, Jersey Boys, Buddy, Oliver!.
TV: Law & Order, FBI, Billions, Law & Order: OC, Gotham, General Hospital, and several movies you haven’t seen.
Musical projects include: Lianne & Luke (facebook.com/LianneandLukeDuo), LukeDarnell.com, @actormusicianguy.
Marley, Ghost of Christmas Future, Ensemble – Dylan Myers
Dylan Morrison Myers was last seen on stage as Mr. Green in WV Public Theatre’s Clue. Washington DC credits include Wild Sky, Solas Nua; HOODED: Or Being Black for Dummies, Mosaic Theatre; When the Rain Stops Falling, First Stage Théâtre Co.; Terminus, Studio Theatre. He has also performed with the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, Kentucky Repertory Theatre, Folger Theatre, Theatre Alliance (DC), Constellation Theatre, Washington Stage Guild and Rorschach Theatre. BFA from Western Kentucky U.
Ghost of Christmas Past, Fred’s Maid – Olivia Sigley
Olivia Sigley (Ghost of Christmas Past/Maid) is a second year BFA Acting student with the WVU School of Theatre & Dance. This is Olivia’s first mainstage production, but has been a participant in lab theatre previously at the school. Olivia is very grateful to be a part of this production, and is eagerly looking forward to what the future has in store. Thank you to my friends and family for all the love and support throughout.
Ghost of Christmas Present, Business I – James Froemel
James (Jamie) Froemel has performed with WV Public Theatre as Donald in Community Garden, Steven in A Writer’s Room, and Marley in A Christmas Carol. He has previously worked with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Greenbrier Valley Theatre, Footlight Players, and Vintage Theatre Company. He is an accomplished storyteller and 4x winner of the West Virginia ‘Biggest Liar’ Contest. With the the WV Humanities Council History Alive! program, he performs across West Virginia as Charles Schulz and Walt Disney. James is a graduate of WVU’s BFA Acting program.
Fred, Ensemble – Luke Belcher
Luke Belcher (Fred) is a junior BFA Acting student with the WVU School of Theatre and Dance. Previously seen in the role of Isaac Jaggard in The Book of Will. All thanks go out to Grubby Gang, his family, and his girlfriend Elise for their continued support.
Fred’s Wife, Poor Wife, Ensemble – Faith King
Faith King (she/her) is a senior BFA Acting student at WVU. Favorite onstage credits include The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Emily Brennan) and Hamlet (Ophelia). Faith has written and directed two original plays through WVU’s LAB Theater: Floor Five (February 2024) and Seven Minutes in Heaven with Jack Kissinger (April 2023). When not working on theatre in some capacity you can find Faith playing guitar, reading books, making coffee, or watching too much television. After school she hopes to continue writing, acting, and creating art with the people she cares about. She sends all her love to her family and friends, without whom she would be a nobody from nowhere. @queenofkings912
Bob Cratchit, Ensemble – Jonnie Carpathios
Jonnie Carpathios is a first year MFA Acting graduate student. He was recently seen as JEREMIAH in the WVU production of Phoebe In Winter. Thanks to family and friends for their continued support. Happy Holidays!
Mrs. Cratchit, Ensemble – Kenzie Wasson
Kenzie Wasson (Mrs. Cratchit) is a Senior BFA Acting student, previous roles including Agness Payne in The King of Mars and Boy Hamlet in The Book of Will. Kenzie would like to thank her friends, family, professors, and roommates for keeping her sane and supporting her every step of the way. @kenzie_wasson
Mr. Fezziwig, Welfare I, Old Joe, Ensemble – Sven Hargis
Sven Hargis is an MFA Acting student at WVU and he’s excited to be in his second show with the department and his first show with WVPT! Christmas Carol is one of his favorites and he will never tire of it. He feels it’s the best way to ring in the holiday cheer! Sven is grateful to be working with the amazing staff, faculty, undergrads, equity talent, members of the community, the production team, and the entire 2024 -2027 MFA Acting class in this production! Sven plans on teaching at the collegiate level after his time at WVU. Merry Christmas to all!
Mrs. Fezziwig, Charwoman, Ensemble – Laura McKenzie
Laura McKenzie is a first year MFA Acting student with the WVU School of Theatre & Dance. Roles while earning her undergraduate acting degree from WVU include Abigail in The Crucible and Geraldine Barclay in What the Butler Saw. She has also played Rita in Prelude to a Kiss, Madge in Picnic, Sister Margaret in The Hasty Heart, and Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor. She wants to thank her children Cliff, Riley, Turner, and Jay who are her inspiration for her return to acting and her husband Tony for his unconditional love and support.
Welfare II, Business II, Laundress, Ensemble – H’arrya Canty
H’arrya Canty is a first year MFA Acting student from Charlotte, NC. She has her BFA in Professional Theatre from the illustrious North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She was last seen in The Legend of Georgia McBride as Jo and Dreamgirls as Deena Jones. She is ecstatic to debut her talents for the first time as a grad student in A Christmas Carol and would like to thank the faculty, staff, cast and crew for making this journey one to never forget!
Young Scrooge II, Ensemble – Matt Oyer
Matt Oyer is a Senior BFA Acting student with the WVU School of Theatre & Dance. Previous roles at WVU include Ed Knight in The Book of Will and the ensemble of Carrie. Matt plans to further garner experience as well as do personal research to come to a decision in the later spring semester on what will be next after graduation. Matt thanks his family and friends for all the support along the journey.
Belle, Business III, Ensemble – Dweddee Kobbah
Dwedee Kobbah (Belle) is a first-year MFA Acting student at the WVU School of Theatre & Dance. Recently, she portrayed Miss Scarlet in Clue at the Alban Arts Center and Lucinda in Into the Woods performed at the Charleston Light Opera Guild. Originally from Charleston, WV, Dwedee graduated from Grambling State University in 2022. She extends her gratitude to the amazing cast, director, and her family for their unwavering support.
Business II, Ensemble – Ethan Pante
Ethan Pante (Business II) is a first year MFA Acting student with the WVU School of Theatre & Dance making his West Virginia stage debut. Hailing from Southern California, he earned his BA in Drama from the University of California, Irvine. Previous roles include Sancho Panza in Don Quixote de La Mancha, Garcin in No Exit, William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Edward Kynaston in Nell Gwynn. Both actor and playwright, Ethan has had plays produced on multiple Californian stages. You can follow him on Instagram @ethan.pante.
Belinda – Vada James Frank
Vada Frank is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade at St. Francis Central Catholic School. This is her first production with WV Public Theatre. She has also performed with Morgantown Theater Company in Annie, Honk and Winnie the Pooh. Vada is a member of NEVA Creative Arts where she takes jazz and tap. She also plays basketball and golf. She loves all things arts and crafts, drawing, building Legos and being creative.
Fan – Sara Minchau
Sara Minchau is the daughter of Jeff and Beth Minchau and is a freshman at University High School, where she is active in the theatre department. Her favorite roles include playing middle Fiona in Shrek the Musical, Hidden Folk Child in Disney’s Frozen – The Musical, and Mary Sue Betty Bob in Dear Edwina. When she isn’t on the stage, she enjoys playing tennis, singing, tap dancing, mountain biking, skiing, and learning to fly. She would like to thank the cast and crew of A Christmas Carol for giving her this amazing opportunity.
Young Scrooge I – EJ Prinzo
EJ Prinzo is a 10-year-old fifth grader from Morgantown, making his stage debut in this production. This is EJ’s first time acting, and he’s excited to bring his sense of humor and creativity to the stage. Outside of theater, EJ enjoys comedy, drawing, and illustration, often spending his free time creating fun and imaginative art. He also loves spending time with his family and friends. EJ is thrilled to be part of this production and can’t wait to share his journey with the audience
Martha Cratchit, Ensemble – Keri Radonovich
Keri Radonovich is currently a senior at University High School and most recently performed in Guys and Dolls as Sarah Brown with Morgantown Theatre Company. She plans to attend college for a BFA in Musical Theatre and is so thankful for being cast in her very first professional show, A Christmas Carol, with West Virginia Public Theatre.
Peter Cratchit – Rohan Wentzel
Rohan is currently a 7th grader at South Middle School. Rohan has been a part of the middle school drama club for 2 years. A Christmas Carol is his debut at the CAC. When he’s not on stage, Rohan enjoys reading manga novels, playing dungeons and dragons with his siblings, and you can usually find him hanging out at the library.
Tiny Tim – Paul Whoolery
A native of Staunton, Va., Paul Whoolery is making his stage debut with West Virginia Public Theatre. An avid baseball player and cross country runner, Paul is a fourth grader at Suncrest Elementary School, where he is a member of the drama club and plays viola in the orchestra.
These performances are presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts. Support also comes from an Organizational Arts Grant made possible through a collaborative effort between Your Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Morgantown with funding from the City of Morgantown, the Monongalia County Commission and the Douglas H. Tanner Memorial Fund for the Arts.