A CHRISTMAS CAROL Returns to San Jose Rep, 11/21-12/23

Although the story has been told time and time again, San Jose Rep's original adaptation of Dickens' novel managed to surprise audiences and critics alike after its Bay Area debut last fall. The Gilroy Dispatch described the production as "a scintillating moment that's like popping a champagne cork" and the same delightful energy and refreshing storytelling will return to San Jose as a true holiday treat.

Artistic Director Rick Lombardo brings a level of authenticity, history, and even economic relevance to this well-known tale of greed and redemption. This adaptation is not your same old Christmas Carol. Instead, San Jose Rep's version is a haunting exploration of psychology, social inequality, and the value of community. This is A Christmas Carol the way Charles Dickens dreamt it, with faithful recreations of traditional Victorian carols performed by actors in authentic period costumes.

San Jose Rep's production features 18 actors, playing more than 50 roles, in what the San Jose Mercury News calls "a boisterous romp that mines its political messages as well as its heart-melting core."

"I created this adaptation of A Christmas Carol in 2004, and I'm thrilled that audience demand was there to reprise it again for the holidays." said Lombardo. "In his story, Dickens is concerned about social and economic inequality, and the lesson Scrooge learns is about his responsibility to his fellow man. This alone makes this story timeless, and still an important one for our time. I created this adaptation to not only be faithful to Dickens' vision, but also to celebrate the actor and the art of storytelling."

The production runs from Nov. 21 to Dec. 23, 2012 with Press Opening Night on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 408.367.7255.

Dickens' inspiration for A Christmas Carolresonates today, as the story was, in fact, a scathing criticism of unbridled nineteenth-century industrial capitalism and the stark differences between the wealthy and the poor.

Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in about six weeks and it was first published in 1843, designed as an emotional appeal to his countrymen to alleviate the miseries of the very poor in their midst. At the time, Christmas was no longer celebrated as a festive holiday. In A Christmas Carol, Dickens describes feasting, games, and family unity; combined with his message that Christmas was a time "when want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices." The story is believed to have helped drive popular interest back to the many Christmas traditions still practiced today.

San Jose Rep is the flagship theatre of San Jose and the only fully professional, non-profit theatre company in the South Bay, presenting seven main-stage productions each year. Now in its 32nd year as a major contributor to the South Bay's cultural community, San Jose Rep's mission is to engage, entertain, and inspire people. San Jose Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote lifelong learning, and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com.

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