The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge |
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By Mark Brown |
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Produced by Cassandra Morris |
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Directed by Paul Morris |
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Produced by special arrangement with Originally produced by the Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, |
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The Port Tobacco Players are supported by grants from the Charles County Arts Alliance, the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive, and by the Charles County Charitable Trust. |
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ABOUT THE PORT TOBACCO PLAYERS
“The Port Tobacco Players is an all-volunteer organization that puts the performing arts within reach of our community by offering quality productions that are entertaining, educational and though provoking. We train, invest in and support the next generation of theatre artists.”
It was in the days following the Second World War, when a weary America turned its eyes toward rebuilding, that the residents of the small but history-laden town of Port Tobacco looked across their town square at the burned rubble of their once-proud courthouse and decided to rebuild. During the winter of 1947, in the drawing room of Stagg Hall, a plan was conceived to raise money to aid the Port Tobacco Restoration Society in returning their town to its former glory. This group of artists, from Port Tobacco and nearby La Plata, set out to bring to the stage entertainment that would earn enough profit to continue their endeavor and provide for their cause. They spent the next twenty years performing in high school auditoriums, court rooms, village green... where anyone who wanted to see a play could do so. Their efforts paid off and the courthouse was restored.
In 1974 they found a new home—an old 1940’s movie theater owned by a local pharmacist was the ideal spot for a new beginning. They evolved into what they are known as today, a cultural staple in Charles County’s historic landscape. In 2002 another page turned in history when they raised the money to purchase and renovate their home. Returning to their roots, they performed on the road for two years before returning to 508 Charles Street in 2005. And in 2010, their home expanded to include a much needed rehearsal hall and space to store and construct costumes in-house.
Today the Port Tobacco Players perform six shows on their main stage and countless road productions with various ENCORE touring companies. The Port Tobacco Players are dedicated to continuing the tradition of providing quality theater to the citizens of Southern Maryland.
Board of Directors
President - Mike Gahan
Vice President/Productions - Benjamin Simpson
Treasurer/Historian/Library - Craig Hower
Secretary/Membership - Carol Russell
Facilities - Michael Beryle, Jr.
Education - Heather Bauer
Costumes - Janice Sagers
Public Affairs - Stacey Swickert
Properties - Kaitelyn Bauer Dieguez
Port Tobacco Players is proud to be a charter member of the Washington Area Theatre Community Honors. www.washingtontheater.org
Director's Note
Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is woven deep into our collective
consciousness, like a song we’ve always known.
The story’s characters are like figures depicted on ancient Greek pottery — heroes and gods instantly recognized by the Greeks of the time, whether by the way a warrior held a sword or a goddess’s iconic helmet. Tiny Tim’s small crutch, the eerie spirits, Marley’s chains, the chill of Scrooge’s office — all depicted slightly differently in each production, but instantly
recognizable to us all.
The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge takes those iconic images and characters and turns them on their heads. In fact, it puts Dickens’s entire concept of “the Christmas spirit” under the microscope, forcing us to reexamine Scrooge and his “bah humbug” ways. It forces us to ask, “What if it wasn’t Scrooge who needed changing — but the Christmas Spirits themselves?”
When conceptualizing the design of our set, I wanted to put the actors right in your face, as downstage as I could get away with. Victorian theatre was known to be melodramatic and even interactive at times, so I needed to pull the audience into the courtroom so you could feel the intensity of the moment. You are, after all, a part of this trial!
In our work to bring this play to life, the cast and I have had a lot of fun. We’ve shared laughter, silly moments, and the joy that can only be found through hard work. We hope our production not only makes you laugh, but makes you think as well.
I feel privileged to be part of a long line of storytellers who have embraced this public domain masterpiece and striven to infuse it with new life and spirit. And now you’re here, reading this note. As much a part of that story as I am.
Thank you for sharing this experience with me as we happen to be alive on Earth together at the same time adding to the shared dream.
Oh, and Merry Christmas!
- Paul Morris
Cast
Production Crew
Producer - Cassandra Morris
Director - Paul Morris
Stage Manager - Grace Hanson
Assistant Stage Manager - Dale Burnham
Set Design - Chris Magee
Set Construction - Scott Hanson, Chris Magee
Paint Design - Lisa Magee
Set Painters - Mary DeMarco-Logue, Jordyn Shymansky
Lighting Design - Tommy Scott King-Taft
Properties & Set Decoration Design - Kathy Mead
Costume Design - Quentin Nash Sagers
Costume Crew - Erica Borgers, Janice Nash Sagers
Hair & Make Up Design - Kaitelyn Bauer-Dieguez
Hair & Make Up Crew - Foster Apple
Program Design - Jason Klonkowski & Isabel Jefferson
Photography - Eric Vorm of Tiny Owl Studios
Headshots - Eric Vorm of Tiny Owl Studios
SPECIAL THANKS
Craig Hower, PTP Board of Directors, PTP Publicity,
House Managers, the volunteer box office staff and ushers,
and all who pitched in after the program went to print!
Meet the Company
Foster Apple
This is Foster’s second show with the Port Tobacco Players. His past show experiences include "Fuddy Meers", "All in the Timing", "Almost Maine", "Fools", and many more. When they aren’t onstage, they’re working their butt off in welding school. He would like to thank his marvelous family for powering his heart and mind, fueling his passion to create and entertain. I love you Mom, I love you Dad.
#autisticactors
Kim Moore Bessler
Kim has thoroughly enjoyed ‘playing’ with this entire cast as Paul and Cassie Morris served as referee and cheerleader, respectively! During the past 25 years, she has portrayed roles ranging from Abby in both BCT and PTP’s productions of "Arsenic and Old Lace"; PTP’s productions of "You Can’t Take It With You" as Gay Wellington (WATCH nomination); Golde in "Fiddler On The Roof"; Juror #8 in "Twelve Angry Jurors"; and Rebbecca Nurse in "The Crucible", for which she won a WATCH award for her cameo. Thank you for supporting live theater and “God bless us, everyone!”
Michael Beyrle Jr.
Michael has been a member of PTP going on 6 years now. He currently sits on the Board of Directors as Facilities Chair. You may have recently seen Michael in the hilarious musical "Young Frankenstein: The Musical" as Inspector Kemp. While not onstage, you can find Michael by the grill or baking up a fine dish in the kitchen. He wants to thank his wife and kiddos for letting him pursue this fun hobby! “Good show, jolly good show!!”
Anthony Dieguez
Anthony has been a member of PTP since 2010 and was most recently seen as Karl Lindner in this year’s production of "A Raisin in the Sun". Other PTP acting highlights include "Arsenic and Old Lace", "The Woman in Black", "The Tempest", and "The Importance of Being Earnest". Outside of PTP, Anthony is a video editor and photographer. He would like to extend his thanks and love to his wife Kaitelyn and their children Wilhelmina, Sebastian, and He-Who-Is-Not-Yet-Named for sharing him with PTP these past few months.
Alison Dodges
Alison is so delighted to return to the PTP stage and share it with this amazing cast! Some of her most favorite past performances include Ouiser in "Steel Magnolias" (NTP), Dotty in "Noises Off" (NTP), and Mrs. Dilber in "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge" (PTP) to name a few. Outside of the theatre, Alison can be found on the pickleball court or walking all over town with her dog, Romeo. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support!
Jayden Holmes
Jayden is excited to continue acting with PTP. His past credits include Jitterbug/Crow/Ensemble in "The Wizard of Oz" (PTP), Tinneman-Tribe Member/Ensemble in "The Real Wiz: Returns" (Divine Dance Institute), and Dancer/Choreographer in "The World Culture Festival 2023" (The Art of Living). When off stage, he attends the College of Southern Maryland for Musical Theatre. As well as being an actor, he is also an artistic director, choreographer, dancer, music producer, singer, and songwriter. Jayden wants to thank his family and friends for the unwavering love and support they show him. IG: @jdnhlms
Ashlyn Milstead
Ashlyn is excited to be making her official acting debut at Port Tobacco Players! She was last seen in "The Bugs" (Demeter) and "Rock of Ages" (Constance) with Towson University’s Actors Anonymous. Other past productions include "Clue On Stage" (Mrs. Peacock) at St. Charles High School and "Getting to Know… Footloose!" (Ensemble) at PTP’s Camp Mockabee. When she’s not onstage, you can find her working, reading, listening to music, and enjoying time with family and friends. She wishes to thank her family, her friends, and her castmates for all their love and support!
Christian Scott
Christian is very excited to be a part of this show, and to work with PTP for the first time. He most recently worked with Missoula Children’s Theatre where he toured their version of "Aladdin" as a director, and also played Genie. Chris studied Theatre Performance with a minor in Musical Theatre at Frostburg State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science. He currently works as a choir and theatre teacher, and feels extremely blessed that he can teach his passions while continuing to perform. He wants to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support, his White Oak people who made the drive all the way from MoCo just to see this show, and this amazing team who made his first time on stage in a year feel like he was right back at home.
Randy Tusing
Randy joined the world of community theatre in 1981 when he was cast as the Lion in "The Wiz" here at PTP. He has been given so many wonderful and memorable opportunities as an actor, director, choreographer, and designer (set, lights, and sound). Randy has been seen in "A Man For All
Seasons" (Cromwell), "Brighton Beach Memoirs" (Jack), "Julius Caesar" (Casca), "The Crucible" (Danforth), "True Colors" (Bogart), "Death of A Salesman" (Ben), "Wait Until Dark" (Roat), and "The Play That Goes Wrong" (Chris/Inspector). All my love and thanks to Paul, Cassie, cast, and crew. We hope you have enjoyed being with us, as much as we have enjoyed being with you. Keep spreading your sunshine and joy always.
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