Your Tradition is Theirs, Too

Many of the actors in A Christmas Carol have long associations with the annual production, playing several different roles over the years. Some even began as children and continued into adulthood.

Richard Doyle began playing the Spirit of Christmas Past in 1981. Three years later, he stepped into the role of Fred for a couple of years, then back to Christmas Past for a few more years, then Mr. Fezziwig for two, before settling back into the Spirit of Christmas Past for 31 years, after which he took over the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in 2021.

Jennifer Parsons began in 1987 as Belle and in 2004 she began her 16-year tenure as Mrs. Cratchit. In 2021, she moved into Doyle’s previous role as the Spirit of Christmas Past.

For 14 years beginning in 1991, Hisa Takakuwa played the Toy Lady, Sally and a Scavenger, then transitioned to assistant directing A Christmas Carol for 14 more years, before taking the reins as director in 2021.

Richard Soto joined as Young Ebenezer in 1990 and played him for 11 years—or 12, if you count when he stepped back into the role in 2004 when another actor had to leave. He returned to the cast in 2021 as the Spirit of Christmas Present and continues in this role today.

Erika Schindele began her 14-year journey with the show in 2011 as Laundress and Belle. She then added the role of Scavenger in 2015. In 2016, she became the production’s dance captain and has continued in that capacity. Since 2023, she has played Toy Lady, Sally and Scavenger.

Larry Bates first joined the cast as Jacob Marley’s Ghost in 2016. He returned to that role again in 2019, before settling into playing Constable, Fred and a Gentleman from 2022 to the present.

Melody Butiu returns this year as Mrs. Fezziwig, a Solicitor and a Scavenger, roles she played previously in 2021 and 2022, after appearing as the Toy Lady, Sally and a Scavenger from 2018 to 2020.

Diana Burbano has been in the cast for four years. In 2022, she understudied Mrs. Fezziwig and played the role the following year, before becoming the beloved Mrs. Cratchit last season.

Louis Lotorto appeared as Fred in 2008. He returned last season as Bob Cratchit, whom he plays again this year.

Bo Foxworth played Mr. Fezziwig in 2023 and returns this season in the same role.

Conservatory and Education Program Associate Nick Slimmer began his A Christmas Carol journey in 2008, when he was a Conservatory student and played Peter Cratchit. In 2013, as a Professional Conservatory Student, he played Thomas Shelley, then returned to the same role in 2018 and has played it for the last seven years. Since 2024, he’s also played the Spirit of Christmas Yet-to-Come.

Two more cast members who were part of the Theatre Conservatory and played children’s roles returned last season as adults. They are Awni Abdi-Bari, who plays Belle and Elizabeth Shelley and Rachel Bailey, who plays Fan. Abdi-Bari made her debut as Girl About Town and Want in 2007, and Bailey played Martha Cratchit in 2015.

Some actors have consistently played the same characters for several seasons. Tommy Beck joined the cast in 2021 as the Undertaker and Ebenezer as a Young Man; Michael Manuel also joined the cast in 2021 as Jacob Marley’s Ghost and as a Gentleman; Eduardo Enrikez began playing Joe and Jacob Marley as a Young Man in 2022; and Tom Anawalt rounds out our returning cast members after having appeared as Puppet Show, Gentleman, and Mr. Topper since 2024. They all still play these integral roles.

Three other vital members of the team are the understudies and standbys. David Nevell, who is the standby for Ebenezer Scrooge and the production’s dialect coach, began his tenure in 2022. Michael Polak and Kaci Hamilton, who both understudy multiple roles, have been with the team since 2023.

And finally, Stage Manager Talia Krispel returns to run the show for her 13th year. She is joined by Assistant Stage Managers Jenny Ludwig and Julian Olive. Julian is in his eighth year, and Jenny is in her fifth.

As you can see, just like your family, this creative team chooses to make A Christmas Carol part of their annual holiday tradition. Wassail!