Pollard Theater: A Territorial Christmas Carol

Twenty-seven years after its debut performance, A Territorial Christmas Carol continues to delight audiences and bring Guthrie’s perennial Christmas celebration to life. The timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the Spirits of Past, Present and Future bring their lesson of redemption to the Pollard stage November 28 – December 21.

Set in Oklahoma shortly after the Land Run, A Territorial Christmas Carol opens in the home of Ben and Elizabeth Moody who, along with their young son, William, are now experiencing a Christmas devoid of friends and family. William is particularly forlorn as he misses his siblings and is the lone child in the Moody’s new territorial home. When a mysterious stranger, known only as Charlie, arrives and offers to share a Christmas story in exchange for shelter from the elements, the family is transported into Dickens’ classic tale of brotherly love and redemption.

Pollard Artistic Director W. Jerome Stevenson returns to helm this year’s production and James Ong, a favorite among Pollard audiences, returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge for the fifteenth year. Ben Bates joins the cast as the agonizing Jacob Marley and Pollard regulars James A. Hughes and Timothy Stewart return to the cast in the roles of Bob Cratchit and Charlie, respectively.  A Territorial Christmas Carol also boasts the return of Jared Blount as The Spirit of Christmas Present, Emily Brown as Scrooge’s lost love, Belle, Gwendolyn Evans in the role of the Widow Brown, Trinity Goodwin as The Spirit of Christmas Past, Joshua McGowen as Nephew/Young Scrooge and Megan Montgomery as Mrs. Cratchit. The cast is completed by an exciting group of area school children, some making their debut in a professional theatre production.

“This show has been a part of the Pollard tradition for twenty-seven years with audiences reaching well over 130,000,” says Artistic Director W. Jerome Stevenson. “Dozens of local school children have made their professional theatrical debut appearing in the show, while countless students experienced their first live production as members of the audience. This show is steeped in tradition, so for us the casting is not just about getting a good actor but getting one who brings with them the understanding and respect for what the show represents to the company and this community. It’s a tall order and we’ve been exceptionally blessed with this extraordinary company.”

Tickets for A Territorial Christmas Carol are $27.25, with senior, military and student discounts.  Performances are November 28 through December 21, 2014; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, with 2:00 pm Saturday and Sunday matinees, beginning December 6th.  Five 11 am matinees are available for school groups only.  Tickets are available online at tickets.thepollard.org, by phone at (405) 282-2800, or at the Pollard Theater Box Office at 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, OK.

Sponsorship is provided by Von & Karen Martin, and John Vance Auto Group, with season support from the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the Inasmuch Foundation.  The Pollard Theatre Company is produced by the Guthrie Arts & Humanities Council.

The Pollard Theater is located at 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, OK.  For additional information, please visit www.thepollard.org or contact the Box Office at 405-282-2800 or boxoffice@thepollard.org