Rochester Life

Meadow Brook Theatre celebrates the return of A Christmas Carol

Running Fri, Nov 19 through Thu, Dec 23, 2021, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI

One of southeast Michigan’s favorite holiday traditions returns for the 39th year when Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a handful of ghosts raise your spirits in A Christmas Carol at Meadow Brook Theatre this November and December.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, original adaptation and staging by Charles Nolte, runs at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester from November 19 through December 23.

MBT favorite Thomas D. Mahard returns as Ebenezer Scrooge this year. Chris Bertini from St. Clair Shores is Tiny Tim. The cast also includes Jeff Thomakos (Ghost of Jacob Marley), Olivia Ursu (Spirit of Christmas Past), Anthony Guest (Spirit of Christmas Present), Scott Anthony Joy (Spirit of Christmas Future), and Stephen Blackwell and Kristina Riegle as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit.

Thomas D. Mahard as Ebenezer Scrooge. Chris Bertini as Tiny Tim

Courtesy Sean Carter Photography

“We love A Christmas Carol,” says Cheryl Marshall, MBT managing director. “We couldn’t perform it last year, but we’re thrilled to be back. We’re making things as safe as possible. Everyone in the cast is vaccinated, they’re tested three times a week, and audience members are required to wear masks, per Oakland University’s policy.”

The Meadow Brook Theatre adaptation was written and originally staged by Charles Nolte. MBT Associate Director Terry W. Carpenter directs this season’s production, with original choreography by Jan Puffer. Scenic design is by Peter W. Hicks, lighting design by Reid G. Johnson, costume design by Mary Pettinato and sound design by Mike Duncan.

“We know things everywhere are different this year,” says Travis Walter, MBT’s artistic director. ”I hope that people will find comfort and joy in the familiarity of A Christmas Carol.”

Tickets range from $35 to $49 and are available by calling the Meadow Brook Theatre box office at 248-377-3300 or going online at www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of eight or more should call 248-370-3316 for group discounts.

“We want everyone to be able to enjoy A Christmas Carol, so we have our family weekend again this year. November 19, 20 and 21, children 5 to 12 are half price,” says Cheryl Marshall.

This production of A Christmas Carol is made possible through the generous support of The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Kresge Foundation, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.

Courtesy Sean Carter Photography

Performance Schedule with Ticket Prices

36 Total Performances

Family Weekend Nov 19-21: Half price for Kids 5-12

Friday, Nov 19
8pm $35

Saturday, Nov 20
2pm $35
6:30pm $35

Sunday, Nov 21
2pm $35

Friday, Nov 26
8pm $45

Saturday, Nov 27
2pm $43
6:30pm $48

Sunday, Nov 28
2pm $43
6:30pm $39

Wednesday, Dec 1
2pm $38

Thursday, Dec 2
8pm $41

Friday, Dec 3
8pm $45

Saturday, Dec 4
2pm $43
6:30pm $48

Sunday, Dec 5
2pm $43
6:30pm $39

Wednesday, Dec 8
7pm $38

Thursday, Dec 9
7pm $41

Friday, Dec 10
8pm $45

Saturday, Dec 11
2pm $43
6:30pm $48

Sunday, Dec 12
2pm $43
6:30pm $39

Tuesday, Dec 14
7pm $38

Wednesday, Dec 15
7pm $38

Thursday, Dec 16
7pm $41

Friday, Dec 17
8pm $45

Saturday, Dec 18
2pm $43
6:30pm $48

Sunday, Dec 19
2pm $43
6:30pm $39

Monday, Dec 20
8pm $44

Tuesday, Dec 21
8pm $44

Wednesday, Dec 22
2pm $44
8pm $46

Thursday, Dec 23
2pm $49

Cast and Crew

Ebenezer Scrooge: Thomas D. Mahard

Ghost of Jacob Marley: Jeff Thomakos

Spirit of Christmas Past: Olivia Ursu

Spirit of Christmas Present: Anthony Guest

Spirit of Christmas Future: Scott Anthony Joy

1st Charity Man: Chip DuFord

2nd Charity Man: Phil Powers

Bob Cratchit: Stephen Blackwell

Mrs. Cratchit: Kristina Riegle

Martha Cratchit: Olivia Kucemba (Rochester Hills)

Peter Cratchit: Vincent Farrehi (Rochester)

Belinda Cratchit: Elli Hoener (Rochester)

Matthew Cratchit: Finn Francis (Rochester Hills)

Tiny Tim Cratchit: Chris Bertini (St. Clair Shores)

Fred: Grant Cleaveland

Fred's Wife: Lexie Farrer

Turkey Boy: Ethan Sharp (Clarkston)

Scrooge as a Boy: Ethan Sharp (Clarkston)

Fan: Sky Seedman (Rochester Hills)

Fezziwig: Chip DuFord

Scrooge as a Young Man: Scott Anthony Joy

Dick Wilkins: Grant Cleaveland

Mrs. Fezziwig: Stephanie Nichols

Belle: Katy Kujala

Belle’s Husband: David Moan

Ignorance: Chris Bertini (St. Clair Shores)

Want: Lucy Silver (Oakland Township)

Merchants: David Moan, David Schoen, Jeff Thomakos

Old Joe: Phil Powers

Charwoman: Kai Stidham

Laundress: Stephanie Nichols

Undertaker: Chip DuFord

Londoners: Katie Akers, Chris Bertini (St. Clair Shores), Stephen Blackwell, Grant Cleaveland, Lexie Farrer, Anthony Guest, Scott Anthony Joy, Katy Kujala, Chip DuFord, Vincent Farrehi (Rochester), Finn Francis (Rochester Hills), Elli Hoener (Rochester), Olivia Kucemba (Rochester Hills), David Moan, Stephanie Nichols, Phil Powers, Kristina Riegle, David Schoen, Sky Seedman (Rochester Hills), Ethan Sharp (Clarkston), Lucy Jane Silver (Oakland Township), Kai Stidham, Jeff Thomakos, Olivia Ursu

Director/Stage Manager: Terry W. Carpenter

Adaptation & Original Staging: Charles Nolte

Assistant Stage Manager: Brittanie Nichole Sicker

Choral Director: Stacy White

Choral Arrangements: Caitlin Burke

Choral Director: Stacy White

Dance Mistress: Ann Acheson

Original Choreography: Jan Puffer

Dialect Coach: Lynnae Lehfeldt

Lighting Design: Reid G. Johnson

Costume Design : Mary Pettinato

Sound Design : Mike Duncan

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Nana Does Vegas has Michigan premier at Meadow Brook Theatre

Win big with this comic farce running January 5 thru 30, 2022, on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, MI

In 2018, Meadow Brook audiences met Nana and her entourage in Nana’s Naught Knickers. Now she’s back, this time for a run at Las Vegas. Nana and her sidekick, Vera, have taken a gamble and moved to Vegas, where they’re working as seamstresses for a show. What could possibly go wrong?

Nana Does Vegas by Katherine DiSavino runs at Meadow Brook Theatre on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester from January 5 through 30, 2022.

“Nana Does Vegas is a farce,” says Travis W. Walter, MBT artistic director. “We know way more about what’s going on with the characters on stage than they do. We can see the hilarity coming, and it doesn’t disappoint when it arrives. Many of the characters from the first show are back, and so are the actors our audiences loved in those roles.”

L to R: Jai Carrero, Mary Robin Roth, and Franny Kromminga in Nana Does Vegas at MBT

Courtesy Sean Carter Photography

Returning to their roles from the original play are Mary Robin Roth as Sylvia, Trudy Mason as Vera, Franny Kromminga as Bridget and Dale White as Tom. New characters include Gia played by Dani Cochran, Dino played by Richard Marlatt, Frank played by David Westley Skillman, and Jo played by Cheryl Turski. Rounding out the cast are Jai Carrero, Grant Cleaveland and Lexi Farrer.

Nana Does Vegas is directed by Travis W. Walter with choreography by Debbie Williams. Terry W. Carpenter is the stage manager with scenic design by Brian Kessler, costume design by Shireen Unvala, lighting design by Eric Van Tassell and sound design by Mike Duncan.

Mary Robin Roth in Nana Does Vegas at MBT

Courtesy Sean Carter Photography

Nana Does Vegas is made possible through the generous support of The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Kresge Foundation, The Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, and the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild.

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Performance Schedule with Ticket Prices

27 Total Performances

Wednesday, Jan 5
8pm $36

Thursday, Jan 6
8pm $36

Friday, Jan 7
8pm $37

Saturday, Jan 8
6pm $46

Sunday, Jan 9
2pm $41
6:30pm $37

Wednesday, Jan 12
8pm $38

Thursday, Jan 13
8pm $43

Friday, Jan 14
8pm $45

Saturday, Jan 15
2pm $41
8pm $46

Sunday, Jan 16
2pm $41
6:30pm $37

Wednesday, Jan 19
2pm $38
8pm $38

Thursday, Jan 20
8pm $41

Friday, Jan 21
8pm $43

Saturday, Jan 22
6pm $46

Sunday, Jan 23
2pm $41
6:30pm $37

Wednesday, Jan 26
2pm $38
8pm $38

Thursday, Jan 27
8pm $41

Friday, Jan 28
8pm $43

Saturday, Jan 29
2pm $41
8pm $46

Sunday, Jan 30
2pm $41

Cast and Crew

Sylvia: Mary Robin Roth

Tom: Dale White

Bridget: Franny Kromminga

Vera: Trudy Mason

Receptionist: Lexie Farrer

Jo: Cheryl Turski

Bellboy: Grant Cleaveland

Dino: Richard Marlatt

Croupier: Jai Carrero

Frank: David Westley Skillman

Gamblers: Grant Cleaveland, Lexie Farrer

Gia: Dani Cochrane

Gia’s Associate: Jai Carrero

Director: Travis W. Walter

Choreographer: Debbie Williams

Stage Manager: Terry W. Carpenter

Costume Design : Shireen Unvala

Lighting Design: Eric Van Tassell

Sound Design : Mike Duncan

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Wed, Feb 9 - Sun, Mar 6, 2022

Book and Lyrics by Josh Halloway
Music and Lyrics by Will Van Dyke

New York City novelist Kevin Taylor is in a rut. With two successful books to his name and a much-anticipated third book overdue, he has lost his way - and his marriage. After a very public meltdown on TV, he resigns himself to life as a bachelor...until an enthusiastic teenage super fan arrives on his doorstep offering to be his intern. Before long, this imaginative new employee hatches a very creative scheme to reunite Kevin with his wife in a hilarious, heartfelt story about finding unlikely friendship in unexpected places.

This is the Michigan Premiere for Writing Kevin Taylor

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Wed, Mar 16 - Sun, Apr 10, 2022

Adapted for the stage by Shaun McKenna
From a screenplay by Charles Dance
Based on a short story by William J. Locke

Cornwall, 1936. When a handsome and talented young Polish violinist bound for America is washed ashore, the Widdington sisters take him under their wing to nurse him back to health. However, the presence of the mysterious young man disrupts their peaceful lives and the community in which they live.

This is the North American Premiere for Ladies in Lavender

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Wed, Apr 20 - Sun, May 15, 2022

By James Hindman and Jeffrey Lodin

From The Andrew Sisters to Hip Hop! From World War I to Afghanistan. The Pin-Up Girls sing a cavalcade of hits inspired by letters home from our troops overseas! While singing at their local VFW hall, Leanne and her friends stumble upon a huge stash of letters that go back a hundred years. Inspired by what they find funny, romantic, heartbreaking and…sexy, the ladies put on a show that celebrates the guys and gals who fight to defend our country.

This is the Michigan Premiere for The Pin-Up Girls

Illustration by Chet Johnson

Wed, May 25 - Sun, Jun 19, 2022

By Dean Regan

Little Big Man, a disc jockey from Patsy Cline’s hometown of Winchester, VA, traces the late singer’s footsteps from early honky-tonk and radio days through her rise at the Grand Ole Opry, plus her appearances at Carnegie Hall and Las Vegas. A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline chronicles Patsy’s compelling journey and features her greatest hits, including “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Crazy” and “I Fall To Pieces.” This production will transport you back in time. With great tunes, a great band, and country music’s greatest lady, this show will have you singing the whole way home!

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