Alan Menken/Lynn Ahrens' A Christmas Carol was launched in 1994, revived in `95 and `96, returns once again in `97, to The Theatre at Madison Square Garden (formerly known as "The Paramount") in New York City. The revival runs Nov. 18 to Jan. 4, 1998.
Tickets cost $25 to $65, depending on day at location. For information: (212) 465-MSG1. As a special promotion for evening performances, Nov. 19-26, a child will get a free ticket for each adult ticket purchased. This promotion is similar to, but not directly connected to, the League of American Theatres & Producers Kids' Night On Broadway deals. Said MSG Vice President Tim Hawkins, "We are very proud that over the last free years, more kids have gotten their first theatre experience at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden than anywhere else."
The role of Ebenezer Scrooge will be played, in rotation, by two different theatre veterans: Hal Linden and Roddy McDowall. Linden, best known for playing "Barney Miller" in the TV show of the same name, also starred on Broadway in The Rothschilds and in a 1970 revival of Three Men On A Horse. McDowall, of "Planet Of The Apes" renown, recently toured in Dial `M' For Murder. Last year's mounting featured Tony Randall as Ebenezer Scrooge and Ben Vereen as the Ghost of Christmas Present.
[For an inside look at the show's rehearsal process, please see the news story, "Rehearsing the Linden/McDowall Christmas Carol.]
Ken Page, who was the Cowardly Lion in MSG's Wizard Of Oz earlier this year, will play The Ghost Of Christmas Present. Other chapters in Page's career include the original Old Deuteronomy in Cats and a Drama Desk Award for Ain't Misbehavin'. Other cast-members include Show Boat's Joel Blum (Ghost of Christmas Past), Paul Kandel, of Tommy fame, as Jacob Marley; Chris Cardell and Patrick Duffey alternating as Tiny Tim, Christine Dunham (Ghost of Christmas Future), Todd Gross (Bob Cratchit), and Netousha Harris and Olivia Oguma alternating as Grace Smythe. A 60+ member ensemble will fill out the enormous MSG stage.
Tickets cost $25 to $65, depending on day at location. For information: (212) 465-MSG1. As a special promotion for evening performances, Nov. 19-26, a child will get a free ticket for each adult ticket purchased. This promotion is similar to, but not directly connected to, the League of American Theatres & Producers Kids' Night On Broadway deals. Said MSG Vice President Tim Hawkins, "We are very proud that over the last free years, more kids have gotten their first theatre experience at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden than anywhere else."
Both Menken and Ahrens have been busy recently. The world premiere of Menken's King David (with lyrics by Tim Rice) reopened the refurbished New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street, May 20, 1997. Ahrens wrote lyrics for Ragtime which opens Jan. 18, 1998. Ahrens also wrote lyrics for Lucky Stiff, My Favorite Year, Once on This Island and Schoolhouse Rock.
Madison Square Garden Productions is producing the show, as they did last seasons The Wizard Of Oz, which will return April 1998. MSG is also partnering with the Dodgers on Footloose, set to try out in Houston, May 1998, and hit New York, August 1998.
-- By David Lefkowitz & Robert Viagas
