Silicon Valley Shakespeare will return to Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga with its spellbinding and roving production of A Christmas Carol, promising to bring joy and festive cheer to audiences of all ages.

"We are incredibly excited to go back to the Montalvo Arts Center for a second year," said SVS Executive Director Annalisa Tkacheff. "Our production of A Christmas Carol has become a beloved tradition for us and SVS patrons alike. The power and draw of the Dickensian classic are evidenced by the return of artists who join SVS anew this season and SVS supporters who plan to see the show for a third consecutive year-assuming they can snag a ticket!"

This unique staging of A Christmas Carol, adapted by South Bay Area's celebrated theatre artist, Richard Orlando, takes audiences back in time with Scrooge as he travels through space and time in a truly immersive way, with stops through the national historical landmark "Villa Montalvo," the John McLaren-designed gardens and grounds, and other special nooks and crannies not ordinarily available for public access.

"Montalvo is so excited to bring Silicon Valley Shakespeare back for another year of this wonderfully creative production," said Montalvo Arts Center Executive Director Angela McConnell. "Our board and donors are so supportive of this important and lovely partnership!"

The production stars Kyle Smith as Ebenezer Scrooge, celebrating his third year in the role. Joining him are Sydney Harmon, Ariana Yasmine Khan, Tonya Mara, Guillermo Morales, Erin Southard, Alika Spencer, and Alliana Lili Yang, all returning to reprise and shine as new characters. Jeff Kramer-founder of ComedySportz San Jose-will portray the iconic Marley for a second year.

The 2022 and 2023 runs of A Christmas Carol sold out before opening night, so audiences are encouraged to buy tickets early, available now at svshakespeare.org/carol. SVS' production of A Christmas Carol is directed by SVS Artistic Director Angie Higgins and SVS Resident Dramaturg Doll Piccotto.

The Sunday, December 8th matinee is non-roving, to be performed in Montalvo's Carriage House Theatre. And the Thursday, December 12th performance will be ASL-interpreted.

Pictured (l to r): Jeff Kramer and Kyle Smith (Photo by Evelyn Huynh)

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) ushers in the holiday season with its celebrated production of the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. This will be the final chance to see this version of A Christmas Carol, one that has enchanted hundreds of thousands of audience members since 2005. In 2024, A.C.T. will present a brand-new production of this classic.

A Christmas Carol performs at A.C.T.'s Toni Rembe Theater from Wednesday, December 6 through Sunday, December 24, 2023. Press night will be held on Wednesday, December 13. Tickets ($25–$130) are available at the A.C.T. Box Office at 415-749-2228 or online at act-sf.org/carol23. Groups of 10 or more save up to 20% and enjoy free tickets for group leaders. For group sales, call 415-439-2306. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

Under the direction of A.C.T. Conservatory Director Peter J. Kuo, this version of A Christmas Carol—adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh and based on the original direction by Perloff—stays true to the heart of Dickens's timeless story of redemption and brings a playful sensibility to his rich language. Featuring a lively cast of dozens, delightful music, gorgeous costumes, and those deliciously spooky ghosts, A Christmas Carol is a cornerstone of the A.C.T. repertory and has become a holiday tradition for families all around the San Francisco Bay Area.

A.C.T.'s A Christmas Carol includes a multigenerational cast of performers led by James Carpenter and Anthony Fusco, alternating performances as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge. Joining Carpenter and Fusco are veteran Bay Area actor Dan Hiatt as the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge's nightmarish late-night visitor; Jomar Tagatac and Sarita Ocón as Bob and Anne Cratchit; Brian Herndon and Sharon Lockwood as the festive Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig; B Noel Thomas as the Ghost of Christmas Past; and Catherine Castellanos as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

Also featured in this year's production are (in alphabetical order): Tasi Alabastro, John Chukwudelunzu, Khalia Davis, Itxán Steven Flores, Cindy Goldfield, Kimberly Hollkamp-Dinon, Jeremy Kahn, Kina Kantor, Adam KuveNiemann, James WDL Mercer II, Emily Newsome, Amanda Le Nguyen, Brennan Pickman-Thoon, Anna Marie Sharpe, and Howard Swain.

Rounding out the cast are a group of talented young actors. They are (in alphabetical order): Jakub "Kuba" Adams, Vivian Amirault, Jasper Bermudez, James Coniglio, Evan DePalma, Ginger Dreicer, Wynter Gill, Danika Elizabeth Guinn, Monique Hightower-Gaskin, Olivia Kohn, Paloma Martinez Muhsin, Justina Mateescu, Xochitl Santillan, William Spitz, Piera Tamer, Rhys Townsager, Madeline von Treskow, and Alliana Lili Yang.

The creative team for A Christmas Carol includes A.C.T. Conservatory Director Peter J. Kuo (Director), John Arnone (Scenic Designer), Beaver Bauer (Costume Designer), Nancy Schertler (Lighting Designer), Jake Rodriguez (Sound Design), Karl Lundeberg (Composer), Val Caniparoli (Choreography), Dan Feyer (Music Director), Nancy Dickson (Repetiteur), and Carla Pantoja (Fight Director).

Photo credit: Kevin Berne

Winners have been announced for the 2021 BroadwayWorld San Francisco Awards. The 2021 Regional Awards honor productions which had their first performance between October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

Streaming productions were eligible this year in the categories designated as such. This year BroadwayWorld also enabled audiences to vote on which theatres they are most excited to return to, and which productions they are most excited to see.

The BroadwayWorld Regional Awards are the largest theatre audience awards, with over 100 cities worldwide participating.

Want to be the first to know about the 2022 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards? Sign up for our local newsletter here.

2021 BroadwayWorld San Francisco Award Winners

Best Choreography Of A Play Or Musical
Chelsea Bardellini - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Costume Design Of A Play Or Musical
Steve Mazurek - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Best Direction Of A Musical
Anderson Davis - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Best Direction Of A Play
Greg Brown - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Direction Of A Stream
Margo Hall - [HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre

Best Editing Of A Stream
Christian Pizzirani - FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Best Lighting Design Of A Play Or Musical
Mike Morris - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Musical
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Best Performer In A Musical
Anita Viramontes - COMPANY - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Performer In A Play
Jason Berner - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Performer In A Streaming Play
Anna Marie Sharpe - RACHEL - South Bay Musical Theatre

Best Play
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Production Of The Year (In Person)
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Best Scenic Design Of A Play Or Musical
Tanya Orellana - THE WINTER'S TALE - California Shakespeare Theater

Best Sound Design Of A Play Or Musical
Everett Elton Bradman - [HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre

Best Streaming Play
[HIEROGLYPH] - San Francisco Playhouse / Loraine Hansberry Theatre

Best Supporting Performer In A Musical
Scott Taylor-Cole - FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Best Supporting Performer In A Play
Atessa McAleenan-Morrell - THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND - Pittsburg Community Theatre

Best Supporting Performer In A Streaming Play
Alliana Lili Yang - FOLKTALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD - Silicon Valley Shakespeare

Most Anticipated Upcoming Production Of A Musical
FOR THE RECORD: BRATPACK - Feinstein's at the Nikko Hotel

Most Anticipated Upcoming Production Of A Play
VELORIO - LATINX MAFIA/Playground