LifeHouse Theater celebrates the Christmas season with the award-winning original musical “Scrooge,” which has become an Inland Empire Christmas tradition.  Based on Charles Dickens’ beloved classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this critically acclaimed adaptation by Wayne R. Scott tunefully brings the timeless tale to life through live music and dynamic staging.

Performances begin Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:00 PM and will continue on weekends through December 23, 2023.  Performances are Fridays at 7:00 PM, Saturdays at 2:00 PM (except Opening Night) and 7:00 PM, and Sundays at 2:00 PM.  In addition to the weekend performances, a special weekday performance will be presented at 7:00 PM on Thursday, December 21.

Advance ticket prices are $27 or $25 for adults and $13 or $12 for children ages 3-11 (no children under 3 are admitted) and can be purchased over the phone with a Visa or MasterCard by calling (909) 335-3037.  Tickets are available online at boxoffice.lifehousetheater.com. Checks can also be mailed to LifeHouse, provided reservations are made far enough in advance.  Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office, which is open Fridays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM and one hour prior to performance times on the weekends.  Tickets are $2 more the day of the performance. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more.  Guests are encouraged to reserve seats early as performances do sell out.

“Scrooge” marks the return of an Inland Empire holiday favorite seen by thousands throughout Southern California on tour from Palm Springs to San Diego over the last two and a half decades. Featuring a faithful retelling of Dickens’ immortal tale in humorous rhyme and a rousing score of original songs, “Scrooge” offers audiences a heartwarming and festive tribute to the Christmas season.

“I am humbled by the support from the public for this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale,” comments Scott, founder and president of LifeHouse Theater in Redlands.  “’Scrooge’ was the production that launched LifeHouse Theater, so it only seems appropriate that it return for our 30^th anniversary season. We look forward to bringing some much-needed Christmas cheer with a beautiful story of redemption through our Christmas event.”

“Scrooge” is directed by Jennifer M. DeWitt.  The production staff includes vocal director Sarah E. Pearce, choreographer Tiffany Michel, assistant director Kristiana McKelvey, and costumer Beth Derry. Scenic design is by Jacob Michel with sound and lighting is by Josiah Evans.

“Scrooge” features Nick Diliberto playing the miserly title role.  Jeremy Carlson plays Bob Cratchit and Wyatt Yorbrough and Darcy Combs alternate in the role of Tiny Tim.  Beverly Crain, Diana Handy and Ethan Derry represent the three Ghosts of Christmas with Jeremy Yeo appearing as Jacob Marley.  The cast also features Meigan Karraker as Mrs. Cratchit, Micah Derry as Fred Hollywell, Emma Alvarez as Belle and Jennifer M. DeWitt, Jonathan Bushey and Wayne R. Scott alternating as the Storyteller. 

 “Scrooge” began its life 28 years ago as a video project under the name of “Good News, Scrooge” for Scott, who was then teaching at Arrowhead Christian Academy.  But during the writing process, Scott conceived of the stage version of this production.  “In my mind’s eye, I could see the set take shape and I knew exactly how it could work in a live stage setting.  So I decided to take a leap of faith and mount the production at the Clock Auditorium in Redlands,” recalls Scott.

On December 14, 1986 “Good News, Scrooge!” opened to a sold-out crowd. After that first sold-out production of “Good News, Scrooge,” the show continued to perform each year, even bringing in well-known actor Clifton Davis to play the Storyteller in 1989 and 1990.  “Clifton Davis at the time was best known for his role on the TV series ‘Amen.’  We sent him the request to be a part of the production and to our delight, he liked the script so much that he agreed to come perform with us,” Scott commented.

After reworking the script a bit and now calling the production simply “Scrooge,” Scott used the show as the first production for his new non-profit theater company, LifeHouse Theater.  The troupe toured the production to multiple locations throughout the Inland Empire before settling in at what would become the first home for LifeHouse Theater at a strip mall on New Jersey Street in Redlands.  The musical has continued to be produced throughout LifeHouse Theater’s 30 years to the delight of thousands of guests who rediscover the production each time it returns.

“Scrooge” has also been performed throughout the country by other theater companies, including this year at Spiritual Twist Productions in North Carolina.

LifeHouse Theater’s 30^th season continues in the new year with “The Hiding Place” (January 6 – February 4, 2024), followed by the world-premiere of “The Genesis Story” (February 17– March 24, 2024), Broadway’s “Fiddler on the Roof” (April 6 – May 12, 2024), “Anne of Green Gables” (May 25 – June 30, 2024), “Phantom of the Opera” (July 13 – August 11, 2024), and “Little House on the Prairie: The Musical” (August 24 – September 29, 2024). Money-saving season passes are now on sale at the LifeHouse Box Office.

The theater is located at 1135 N. Church St. in Redlands, next to Excelsior Charter School.  Free parking is available in back of the theater.  More information can be found by visiting the website at www.lifehousetheater.com.

For more information, please call (909) 335-3037.