LAS VEGAS - November 18, 2009 - The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV presents the holiday classic "A Christmas Carol," adapted by David Bell, November 27 - December 13 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Clarence Gilyard stars as Scrooge and Brad Carroll directs.
The tale begins on Christmas Eve seven years after the death of Ebenezer Scrooge's business partner Jacob Marley. That night seven years later, the ghost of Jacob Marley appears before Scrooge and warns him that his soul will be bearing heavy chains for eternity if he does not change his greedy ways, and also predicts that a series of other ghosts will follow. Three ghosts visit Scrooge during the course of the night, fulfilling Marley's prophecy. The first, the Ghost of Christmas Past, takes Scrooge to the scenes of his boyhood and youth. The second spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, takes Scrooge to the home of his nephew Fred and to the humble dwelling of his clerk, Bob Cratchit. The third spirit, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, harrows Scrooge with dire visions of the future if he does not learn and act upon what he has witnessed.
Gilyard earned his BA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills and his MFA from Southern Methodist University. As an actor, director, and producer, he has worked in television and film for over 25 years. After working 13 straight years as the costar on two successful television series; Matlock and Walker, Texas Ranger, he took a professional sabbatical and earned his MFA in theatre performance. He now teaches acting at UNLV and works professionally in television, and theatre. Recently, he performed the role of Ian in Shining City.
Carroll enjoys a multi-faceted career as a director, musical director, writer, composer, arranger, conductor, actor and teacher, with over 250 plays, musicals, operas and concerts to his credit. Nationally he has worked in various capacities with such companies as the Utah Shakespearean Festival, PCPA Theaterfest, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, Idaho Shakespeare, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Anchorage Opera, Utah Festival Opera, UC Santa Barbara, University of Illinois, Hot Springs Music Festival and the Los Angeles Music Center. As a director, writer and musical arranger for Walt Disney Entertainment, Carroll was a key creator of three shows for the multi-billion dollar TokyoDisneySea theme park that opened in Japan in 2001.
Others in the cast include Chase Daniels, Lisa Ferris, Ryan Fonville, Kate Mazzola, Angelo Molineri, Jaime Puckett, Justin Quintos, Billy Scott Reed, Jake Sauter, Savannah Smith, Griffin Stanton-Ameisen, Frank Strebel, Dalen Todorova, Christina Wells, and Clifton Yada.
Scenic design is by Dana Moran Williams; costume design by Ashleigh Poteat; lighting design by Marihan Mehelba; and sound design by Nick Spraul. Production stage manager is Ashlee Wiseman and technical director is Jeff Chase.
Performances are November 27, 28, December 3-5, and 10-12 at 8 p.m., and November 29, December 6 and 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 and on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Performing Arts Center Box Office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office may be reached by calling 895-ARTS (2787). View the entire season at nct.unlv.edu.
