By Ernio Hernandez
12 Apr 2004

Jane Krakowski in her Tony-winning performance in Nine
photo by Joan Marcus

Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski joins Kelsey Grammer, Jason Alexander and Jesse L. Martin in the cast of the upcoming NBC television musical "A Christmas Carol," based on the Alan Menken-Lynn Ahrens-Mike Ockrent Madison Square Garden staging.

Krakowski will take on the role of Ghost of Christmas Past to Grammer's Ebenezer Scrooge, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Alexander and Martin will portray Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Present, respectively.

Arthur Allan Seidelman (Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks) will direct the project. Shooting will begin this June in Budapest.

The television event — set to air in November — will be headed by executive producer Robert Halmi Sr. of Hallmark Entertainment ( "Gulliver's Travels" and "Merlin"). Menken and Ahrens are onboard for the teleplay.

The deal came as reciprocity for another Grammer Halmi project in the works—"Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde" — which the network had originally passed on.

Krakowski won her Tony for her turn in last season's revival of Nine. The actress, known for her TV work on "Ally McBeal," was previously nominated for Grand Hotel. Alexander recently finished a stint in the Los Angeles staging of The Producers as Max Bialystock — a role Grammer was recently reported to be in talks for on Broadway. Martin is best known for his work on "Law & Order" and in the original cast of Rent.

The musicalized version of A Christmas Carol, based on the Charles Dickens classic, was created and directed by the late Mike Ockrent (Crazy For You, Me and My Girl). The adaptation features songs by composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors) and lyricist Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Once on This Island). The production was overseen by his widow, Susan Stroman, the multi-Tony Award winner (The Producers, Contact) who also provided choreography.

After ten years of performance, the MSG staging ended its traditional holiday run this past season.