This Saturday, December 22nd at 7pm The Willamette Radio Workshop presents Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”, adapted by Cynthia McGean from the source and the Campbell Playhouse versions. The classic Christmas story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim finds it’s natural home in the radio/audio theater medium, the theater of the mind. A ghost story told to remind mankind of the perils of greed and isolation at a time of the year when our community needs more help than ever.

The show will be performed at the wonderful First Christian Church at 1314 SW Park Ave Portland, OR 97201. This is a big space with plenty of room for throngs.

Our goal for the night is to collect food for the Oregon Food Bank and collect any funds people contribute to the Meals on Wheels People. After all, Christmas is a time when want is keenly felt and abunance rejoices, as Mr. Dickens reminds us.

This years show will be a celebration of 20 years of the Community Carol that we have taken to nursing homes, AIDS hospices, assisted living centers and any  where people have wanted/needed a little Christmas cheer. We never charge, the casts have ranged in size from 4 to 40 (more actually) and the rehearsal party has become a tradition for all of us. This version of the show has more characters and lots of audience interaction, so come ready to play.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for seating and refreshments.

The cast includes our original Scrooge, Tom Beckett, Cynthia McGean, Tim McKennie, Mary Thomas, Chris Porter, Ross Huffman-Kerr , Sam A. Mowry and a cast of many more yet to come.

Live music and carols provided by the Holly Jolly Radio Singers under the direction of Bennett Bailey. Music will start at 6:50.

Live sound and recording by D. Neil Blake.

In the tradition of the golden age of radio, live Foley by David Ian and Dino de Aelfweald. This show is one hour in length and appropriate for all ages.

The award-winning Willamette Radio Workshop wants to help preserve the history of radio theater and to this end its work includes recreations or re-imaginings of classic radio programs like the Campbell Playhouse Christmas Carol with Orson Wells and Lionel Barrymore. And we take great pleasure in reaching out to serve our community and celebrate life through the Arts, no matter how dark the times or long the days. We hope you can join us as we retire Radio Carol and then look for new holiday traditions to share with you all. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.