ONLINE PROGRAM
One Christmas Carol
play by DOUGLAS H. BAKER
based on the book by CHARLES DICKENS
performed by NATASCHA GIRGIS
ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/or visual recordings of this production or distributing recordings on any medium, including the Internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the author’s rights and actionable under copyright law.
All production photography by TIM NGUYEN.
December 1st to 29th, 2023
Fri, Dec 1 at 7pm
Sun, Dec 3 at 7pm
Wed, Dec 6 at 7pm
Sun, Dec 10 at 7pm
Mon, Dec 11 at 7pm
Wed, Dec 13 at 7pm
Sun, Dec 17 at 7pm
Tue, Dec 19 at 2pm
Wed, Dec 20 at 7pm
Thur, Dec 21 at 2pm
Thur, Dec 28 at 2pm
Fri, Dec 29 at 2pm
running time:
85 minute show
Help put books in the homes and hands of families who need them!
Bring & donate new & like-new books to the holiday show you're attending, or drop them off at the StoryBook Theatre Lobby!
This year, SBT is proud to partner with Little Red Reading House, whose goal is to inspire a lifetime of reading and learning! All the books will be donated to families who need them through Little Red Reading House's Book Bank, which helps "feed the hearts and minds of children by giving them their very own books."
You can also donate online! Starting at $10, your donation will go towards purchasing new books. StoryBook will use all the funds to support a local bookstore, so everyone wins!
Please keep in mind that the books you are giving will become another child's treasure. Only give books that are of high quality and in very good condition. We cannot accept books that are tattered, scribbled on, written in, or missing covers. Thank you!
SHOW SUMMARY
With one actor and over 35 distinct characters, this one-man tour de force is an intimate and spirited evening of theatre that everyone in the family will love! Utilizing only three unmatched chairs, Dickens’ famous story about selfishness and selflessness is stripped down to its bare essence, forgoing the usual opulence of the holidays and focusing on what is of utmost importance during the season. Dickens’ colorful characters are all present— Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchitt, Tiny Tim, Fezziwig, Belle, the Ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future— springing to new life with a treasure trove of moral lessons for one and all. God bless us,
every one!
Summary courtesy of Stage Rights
"The experience of the pandemic has taught us all the necessity of living in the past, the present, and the future. This production is... the perfect encapsulation of theatre's healing and catharsis. How can anyone leave this show and not feel merry and light? Live theatre is back, and in the words of Tiny Tim, god bless
us everyone."
– Entertainment Weekly
RATING: PG | 10+
Read more about show ratings and recommendations >
Video courtesy of StoryBook Theatre, starring Natascha Girgis, directed by JP Thibodeau.
Production Inclusion Statistics
50% FEMALE/NON-BINARY
REPRESENTATION
25% MARGINALIZED REPRESENTATION
12.5% BIPOC
REPRESENTATION
37.5% LGBTQIA2S+
REPRESENTATION
ABOUT THE CREATORS
CHARLES DICKENS
Charles Dickens was a nineteenth-century British author and editor who wrote novels, short stories, comics, and novellas. He produced some of the most famous books of his time, including Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol. Dickens started his career writing humorous sketches and comics for periodicals, some of which he published himself. He is known for his stark portraits of the underclass in Victorian-era London, highlighting the wealth gap and making his readers more socially aware. His work continues to influence literature and pop culture, with many of his works taught to young readers.
Courtesy of Charles Dickens Info
DOUGLAS H. BAKER
Douglas H. Baker has an extensive background in professional and educational theatre. He was a member of Actors Equity Association for 23 years, he performed for a wide variety of regional, stock and touring companies, as well as having made numerous appearances in film and television. Baker has written two Las Vegas productions: Winds of the Gods for the Luxor Hotel and Tournament of Kings for the Excalibur Hotel, where he performed the leading role of Merlin the Master for over 10 years. His solo adaptation ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL had its premiere in 1995 at the Lady Luck Casino in Las Vegas. Mr. Baker performed ONE CHRISTMAS CAROL in and around Las Vegas and nationally before passing the play down to his son Kellan to perform and later to his youngest son J. Max.
Courtesy of Broadway World
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Over the past decade, I have mulled over the idea of bringing a particular show to our StoryBook stage. However, I always found it difficult to justify the need for it. Nevertheless, when I included it in this season's lineup, I was uncertain whether Theatre Calgary would be offering their rendition of Carol for audiences. Still, I believed it would be an exceptional accomplishment for whichever actor would take on the lead role, and a venture that deserved thorough exploration.
During the audition process, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from one of Calgary's most gifted actors, expressing interest in making this production work. In that very moment, I knew I had to find a way to collaborate with this extraordinary talent!
To say that it has been an honour to witness this actor bring the show to life would be a gross understatement. It has been a true masterclass in acting, grace, and collaboration - benefiting both the artist and myself as the director. Fueled by her unique vision for the show, I willingly let go of my own preconceived notions and wholeheartedly embraced her nearly-perfect choices and meticulous planning.
I am confident that no one can truly anticipate what this production has in store. Still, I am certain that everyone who attends will be in awe of this artist and her astonishing ability to narrate stories and stage plays. It is an experience that must be witnessed to fully comprehend and appreciate the tour de force unfolding before our eyes. I have been a devoted admirer of this actor for many years, and I am immensely privileged to have the opportunity to showcase her talents on the StoryBook stage in such a captivating manner.
I would like to take this moment to express my gratitude for joining us in this production and for being a part of our world. On behalf of myself, Natascha (the actor), and our entire team, I extend heartfelt wishes for the happiest of holidays. Thank you for your unwavering support of local theatre.
Sincerely,
JP Thibodeau
Director
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THE COMPANY
THE CAST
Narrator Natascha Girgis
THE CREW
Director JP Thibodeau
Assistant Director Roberta Mauer Phillips
Stage Manager Em Noonan
Wardrobe Designer Darcie Howe
Sound & Lighting Designer JP Thibodeau
Mic Effects & Programming Ross Wilson
Sound Operator Paul Davies
Sound Operator Aretha Smith
Spotlight Operator Brady Hillman
Artistic Producer JP Thibodeau
Artistic Associate Nick Bishop
Graphic Design & Marketing Jennifer Merio
Graphic Design & Marketing Intern Emma Luit
Show Photography Tim Nguyen
MEET THE CAST
Natascha Girgis - Narrator
One Christmas Carol is Natascha's debut at StoryBook Theatre.
Selected: Dark Lady, Complete History Abridged, Blues in the Night (LBT); Mousetrap, Humble Boy, Counsellor-At-Law (TC); Drowning Girls (Cross Canada Tour); In Wonderland, Around the World in 80 Days, Blue Light (ATP); Dracula: Bloody Truth, Sherlock Holmes, Ends of the Earth, Mystery of Edwin Drood (Vertigo); Nine Dragons (Gateway); Becoming Dr. Ruth (TNW); The Gig (Aquarius); Coyotes, Abundance, Beggar's Opera (Caravan); Thousand Splendid Suns (Grand); Titus Andronicus, Richard III (Shakespeare Co.); What You're Missing (Chutzpah Festival); Communion, Palace of the End, Life Skills (Network); Heroine, Love (Northern Light); Speaking in Tongues (Shadow); Trespassers (Belfry, Vancouver Playhouse); Lion in the Streets (Sage); Suite Surrender, Unnecessary Farce, Fiddler on the Roof, 39 Steps (Stage West); Amadeus, Macbeth, Constant Wife (ATF); Speak (Globe); Becoming Dr. Ruth (Theatre North West).
MEET THE TEAM
SUPPORTERS, DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS
PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORTERS
MEDIA SUPPORTERS
DONORS, SUPPORTERS & CONTRIBUTORS
Occasional Notes Productions
Calgary Arts Development
Paul Davies
Teresa O’Regan
Gregory Smith
Clarice Siebens
Lane Olafson
Hesson Persaud
Corinne Spence
Janine Labossiere
Frank Fowler
The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Co.
M.E.G Energy/Kenneth Wilson
Maria Shaw
Blue Spruce Investments Ltd.
Ann Farebrother
Maureen Morris
Ella Quinn
Kirk Schmidt
Melissa Smith
THANK YOU TO...
Theatre Calgary
Costume Collective
Keyano Theatre and Arts Centre
Morpheus Theatre
New West Theatre
John DeDominicis
Clareshome Arts Society
Aileen Smith
Tammy Vanderbeek
Darcie How