PhotosPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Jolly Time at the McCarter's Christmas Carol With James Ludwig and CastMerry members of the cast and crew at the McCarter Theatre's acclaimed staging of A Christmas Carol offer an exclusive look backstage and invite readers to meet the holiday revelers and classic Dickens characters inhabiting the New Jersey venue.
By
Matthew Blank
December 20, 2011
With digital camera in hand, Broadway's James Ludwig — with help from Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward, Cheryl Mintz, Michael Unger, Emma Ritchie and Rachel Baker — takes Playbill.com behind the scenes.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Jolly Time at the McCarter's Christmas Carol With James Ludwig and Cast
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Jolly Time at the McCarter's Christmas Carol With James Ludwig and Cast
Merry members of the cast and crew at the McCarter Theatre's acclaimed staging of A Christmas Carol offer an exclusive look backstage and invite readers to meet the holiday revelers and classic Dickens characters inhabiting the New Jersey venue. Read the Playbill.com story.
27 PHOTOS
The Matthews Theatre at McCarter from our POV. We invite you to journey with us backstage on one of the best Christmas Carols anywhere.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Noah Hinsdale (Tiny Tim). The leg brace and poster weigh more than he does.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Sign in or your understudy is going on. Wait. We don't have understudies. We have a Dance Captain...
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Jimmy Ludwig: Self portrait. Andrea Goss: Not amused.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Our Fezziwig Dancers can CRUSH your Fezziwig dancers. L to R: J. Morgan White, Mike Faist, Eric Brathwaite, Arianna Rosario, Ryan Steer, Justin Henry, Emma Ritchie, William Carlos Angulo, Rachel Baker, Jessi Trauth, Andrea Goss.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Noah Hinsdale and the boys dressing room Festival of Lights. The 3D Hannukah glasses take it to the next level.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Mrs. and Mr. Cratchit, before: Christina Rouner and Price Waldman.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Ryan Steer is the legs (and the navel) of the Ghost of Christmas Future. We're not quite sure how he feels about that.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Mike Faist, also known as "The Claw."
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
An Actor Prepares. Graeme Malcom (Scrooge) and The Scrooge-ettes: (clockwise from L) Emma Ritchie, Rachel Baker, Stacey Jackson, Jessi Trauth and Arianna Rosario.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Caption Contest! Michelle Tauber and Adam LeCompte.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
One of our resident artists, Piper Goodeve, and her Hoop Skirt Series: She calls this one, "Pancake."
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Teamwork. Michelle Tauber (L) and Rachel Baker.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Marley's Chain Gang: Kathleen Scalera (L) and Lindsey Barnes.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
It's important to teach young people Life Skills. Ronica Reddick tutors, from Left: Matthew Immordino, Adam LeCompte, Matthew Kuenne, Danny Hallowell.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
David Kenner and Andrea Goss on the set of their new soap opera, “One Life to Fezziwig.”
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
The boys may have the Festival of Lights, but the girls have… Stacey?!? From Left: Kate Fahey, Annika Goldman, Stacey Jackson, Samantha Johnson, Jackie Patterson, Natalie Mehl.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Graeme Malcom getting all Zen and stuff. (with Chris Woolley)
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Jimmy Ludwig. Cannot act without props or fake teeth.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
In the wings, bearing gifts of the season: Jimmy Ludwig, Andrea Goss.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Some of our wonderful Production Staff, who make "magic in the bedroom" 8 shows a week: Bob Hornby, Jim Sargent, Meredith Scheibner, Andy French, Jillian Resnick and Ben Malone.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
The Boys of dressing room 4, better known as "Marley's Pub": from L, Jimmy Ludwig, David Kenner, and Marley himself, Justin Blanchard.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
The view from the pit - Graeme Malcom has been rated Best Scrooge in the Universe, 2011 by J.D. Power & Associates.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
"Take back your mink…" Tom Riis Farrell (Mr. Fezziwig), with Fluffy.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Mrs. Dilber relaxes during Act II. From Left, Ryan Steer, Justin Henry, J. Morgan White, Eric Brathwaite and William Carlos Angulo with the one and only Anne O'Sullivan.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Director Michael Unger regrets giving that last note to the Ghost of Christmas Future.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
Graeme Malcom scratching his... God Bless Us. Every One.
Jimmy Ludwig, Justin Blanchard, Hannah Woodward and Cheryl Mintz
James Ludwig has appeared on Broadway in Spamalot and Little Shop of Horrors and in the Off-Broadway productions of Blue Man Group, De La Guarda, Bubbly Black Girl… and john & jen.
He first appeared in the McCarter's Christmas Carol starting in 2000 and has returned for 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010 and 2011 productions.
* A Christmas Carol stars Graeme Malcolm as Ebenezer Scrooge, with Justin Blanchard (Jacob Marley), Piper Goodeve (Fan), Michele Tauber (Mrs. Fezziwig), James Ludwig (Fred), Price Waldman (Bob Cratchit), Ronica Reddick (Christmas Present), Anne O'Sullivan (Mrs. Dilber), Tom Riis Farrell (Mr. Fezziwig), Andrea Goss (Lilly/Belle), David Kenner (Young Scrooge) and Christina Rouner (Mrs. Cratchit).
William Carlos Angulo, Rachel Baker, Eric Brathwaite, Mike Faist, Justin Henry, Stacey Jackson, Emma Ritchie, Arianna Rosario, Ryan Steer, Jessi Trauth and J. Morgan White round out the adults ensemble.
A highlight each year are the fourteen area children who fill the stage in a variety of roles. This year's Young Ensemble members are Kate Fahey (Richboro, PA), Annika Goldman (Princeton), Danny Hallowell (Skillman), Noah Hinsdale (Princeton Junction), Matthew Immordino (Pennington), Samantha Johnson (Somerset), Matthew Kuenne (Princeton), Adam LaCompte (Lawrence Township), Natalie Mehl (Califon), Benjamin Palmer (West Windsor), Jackie Patterson (Princeton), Sophia Sharma (Princeton), Olivia Sheridan (Lawrenceville) and Emma Ventola (East Brunswick).
A Christmas Carol, according to McCarter, is Charles Dickens' "timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his magical journey into Christmas past, present, and future."
"This production is truly a gift not only to our audiences but to everyone involved," stated McCarter producing director Mara Isaacs. "Whether you are nine or 99, the play never ceases to delight and amuse with its large cast of characters and timeless theme of redemption. Charles Dickens reminds us of the power we all possess to make the world a better place to live. People who remember seeing A Christmas Carol when it began at McCarter 30 years ago will be surprised to see how much it has evolved over the years."
The musical, featuring an adaptation by David Thompson and direction by Michael Unger, will run through Dec. 24.
Tickets may be purchased by calling (609) 258-2787 or by visiting www.mccarter.org.
