For Immediate Release: November 18, 2006
Media Contact: Cathy Larkin, for Mum Puppettheatre, 484.802.7576

Mum Puppettheatre's production of A Christmas Carol creates an experience that is as intense as it is humorous - bring someone to cling to! In England it is a tradition to tell ghost stories on Christmas Eve, and Mum Puppettheatre is happy to oblige with A Christmas Carol the greatest tale of them all this December. A show with real holiday spirit(s), the critics have called Mum's 2003 production "A Christmas Carol for the ages, deserves to become an annual event."

Three years ago, award-winning playwright Bruce Graham (Media, PA) adapted one of his favorite stories of all time for Mum Puppettheatre, and this year Mum is bringing it back with even more of the chills than it had before! This year's show runs December 5 - December 30, and is directed by Mum's Artistic Director Robert Smythe (Swarthmore, PA). Preview week is Dec. 5 – 12; opening night is Dec 13.

Mum Puppettheatre is approaching this production as Dickens intended it, in the long-standing tradition of a ghost story. "Come prepared for that delicious shiver-in-the-dark scary feeling to sneak up on you, as well as to laugh and feel alive," said Smythe.

The use of only two actors along with various types and sizes of puppets and the use of masks is one way that their production differs from traditional shows. Local actor Gregg Almquist (Chestnut Hill) embodies the character/spirit of Scrooge, and is haunted by actor Jered McLenigan (Old City Philadelphia), who uses masks and puppets to play all of the other parts.

Playwright Graham is the author of twelve produced plays, including Burkie and the 1998 Rosenthal Prize winner, Coyote on a Fence, which received two Drama Desk nominations. Graham's film and television credits include Dunston Checks In, Anastasia, and A Ring of Endless Light. He has received awards from the Pew Foundation, Theater Association of Pennsylvania, and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Mum Puppettheatre...Art that moves. Mum Puppettheatre, located at 115 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, in the Old City district, is a member of the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and has won 13 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, and was voted Best Theater in Philadelphia Weekly (2004), and Best Local Theatre Company in the City Paper's Readers Choice Awards, (2004).

Performance dates/times/costs: See website for complete show times, ticket pricing and availability: www.mumpuppet.org or call 215-925-7686.

Opens Dec 5 - closes December 30
Preview Week Dec. 5 – 12, tickets $1- $7, price increases each day by $1.*
Opening night, Wednesday, December 13, 7 p.m., tickets $30
All other show date tickets cost $25 (both evening and matinees).
Show times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7 p.m.; Fridays & Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays at 2 p.m.. No shows on Mondays, nor on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day (*During preview week there is no Sat. 2 p.m. show Dec. 9, and no show Monday, Dec. 11).

(Editor's note: this show is rated PG, and is designed for older children and adults as the ghosts can be a bit scary for little ones. A high resolution image is available.)

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