San Francisco Mime Troupe, in cooperation with Z Space, presents:
A Red Carol
December 14 - 29, 2024
on Z Space’s Steindler Stage
Six people, telling the story, playing all the roles, in an abandoned industrial space.
This isn't your average, feel-good Christmas tale. But it was never supposed to be.
We all know the story: The redemption of a cranky miser at Christmas, a ghost story designed to let an audience feel good about themselves for not being heartless. But Charles Dickens wasn't trying to make people feel good, he was trying to show them a stark reality, scaring them into being more human. He wrote "A Christmas Carol" to shake up society, and with A Red Carol we are re-establishing his story as the revolutionary call-to-action Dickens intended.
With music, joy, and plenty of harsh truths about his time and ours, A Red Carol is the demand for economic and social justice Dickens wanted then, and we need now.
"People always think this story is about you,” Bob Crachit tells Scrooge. “But it ain’t about you, it’s about us - and how we let ourselves get infected with your ideas, your greed, your lies, it’s you steppin’ over the hungry and homeless and us following your lead, it’s us lettin’ you turn our government into a casino, listenin’ while you say day after day that profit is the new god, and us not standin’ up and shouting "NO!"'
“It ain’t about you," Cratchit says. "It’s about us.”
If you had tickets for the preview on Saturday, December 14 at 8pm please contact boxoffice@zspace.org to transfer the ticket to another show date or get a refund. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Show Schedule
Previews
Saturday 12/14 8pm
Sunday 12/15, 2pm
Opening Night
Monday 12/16, 7pm
Run-of-show
Friday 12/20 8pm
Saturday 12/21 8pm
Sunday 12/22 2pm (Masked Performance)
Friday 12/27, 8pm (Masked Performance)
Saturday 12/28, 8pm
Sunday 12/29, 2pm
Playwright Conversations: Michael Gene Sullivan
Saturday, December 21st - 6:30 PM | Z Lobby & Bar Open 6 PM
Prior to the 8 PM performance of A Red Carol
Admission to the conversation is free & open to the public. RSVP to the talk here,
Ticket purchase required for 8pm performance.
Join Playwrights Foundation for a conversation with the playwright behind A Red Carol, Michael Gene Sullivan to discuss his bold re-imagining of the Dickens’ classic that restores its revolutionary call to action. This event will be moderated by Playwrights Foundation Artistic Producer, AeJay Mitchell. Mingle before and after the conversation in the Z Space lobby and enjoy a performance of A Red Carol at 8 PM!
A Red Carol
An Activist Adaptation based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Michael Gene Sullivan
Featuring the song “A Red Carol”
Lyrics by Daniel Savio & Music by Pierre Degeyter
Directed by Michael Gene Sullivan
Musical Direction, Arrangements, & Additional Lyrics by Daniel Savio
Lighting Design by Jim Cave
Costume Design by Keiko Shimosato Carreiro
Scenic Design by Michael Gene Sullivan
Sound Design by Taylor Gonzalez
Props Design by Marie Cartier
Stage Managed by Karen Runk*
Cast Of Characters
Mike Mcshane* as Ebenezer Scrooge
Brian Rivera* as Bob Cratchit
Jed Parsario* as Fred, The Ghost Of Christmas Past, Ignorance, Businessman 2, Undertaker, William
Velina Brown* as Woman 1, Boy Caroler, Fan, Mrs. Cratchit, Scrooge's Maid, (Guitar)
Lisa Hori-Garcia* as Woman 2, Charitable 1, Belle, Martha, Sarah, Want, Scrooge's Charwoman, Caroline
Keiko Shimosato Carreiro* as Woman 3, Charitable 2, The Ghost Of Marley, Fezziwig, Johanna, The Ghost Of Christmas Present, Joe, (Ukulele)
*The actors and stage manager employed in this production are members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
SFMT Band
Daniel Savio: Piano, Melodica, Toy Piano, Triangles, Ratchet, Chains, Vocals
Guinevere Q: Bass Guitar, Wind Machine, Tambourine, Sleigh Bells, Doorbell, Vocals
Jason Young: Mandolin, Drums, Sleigh Bells, Doorbell, Chimes, Chains, Slapstick, Thunder, Tube, Vocals
Production Staff
Production Manager: Brooke Harbaugh
Technical Director: Pietro Calogero
Assistant Stage Manager: Sydney Blake
Sound Engineer: Taylor Gonzalez
A1 Sound: Miguel Wacher
Lead Production Technician: Lance O'dell
Stitching Assistant: Cindy Rae Braman
Interns (Design Tech Hs): Ashwin Raj & Parker Magpayo
Publicist: Lawrence Helman
Poster Design: Michael Gene Sullivan
Video Trailer: Adam Chin
Photographer: Mike Melnyk
Artistic & Managing Collective:
Rotimi Agbabiaka, Andre Amarotico, Michael Bello, Velina Brown, Ellen Callas, Keiko Shimosato Carreiro, Michael Carreiro, Marie Cartier, Lisa Hori-Garcia, Taylor Gonzalez, Daniel Savio, Michael Gene Sullivan
"A RED CAROL is a leftist's dream wish for the Holiday season, and every other day of the year. It hits hard at people who "weigh everything by profit,” (and) ruling class propaganda, and the idea that ignorance and want will keep the poor entrenched in the stations. Seasonal charity is a great concept, but SF Mime Troupe can't be satisfied with any trickle-down economics, Xmas time or not. Bravo comrades!”
—BroadwayWorld.com
