Master Carpenter RICH BURKAM
Scenic Artist LAURIE FLAHERTY
Original Scenic Painting DAVID SEPULVEDA, AMIE ZINER
Wardrobe Coordinator JIMMY JOHANSMEYER
Original Costume Design JUNE GOLD
Sound Designer ADAM JACKSON
Scenic & Lighting Designer JAMIE BURNETT
Assistant Stage Manager & Wardrobe Assistant COLLEEN CALLAHAN
Assistant Stage Manager LANE SHOEMAKER
Production Stage Manager T. RICK JONES*
Original Choreography JENNIFER BUONFIGLIO
Music Director DAVID BELL
Director KEELY BAISDEN KNUDSEN
A CHRISTMAS CAROL is presented by arrangement with Rewls Productions, LLC
Costumes provided in part by PANTOCHINO PRODUCTIONS, originally designed for the stage by Jimmy Johansmeyer.
The Holiday Classic Returns!
November 29 - December 10, 2023
(Performance schedule below.)
A Christmas Carol
by Keely Baisden Knudsen
Adapted from the Book by Charles Dickens
With Music by Keely Baisden Knudsen & David Bell
The holiday tradition returns! Legacy Theatre's enchanting musical adaptation of this classic tale by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by Artistic Director Keely Baisden Knudsen, illuminates the journey of one Ebenezer Scrooge and his guided self-reflection amidst the Christmas season in 1800s England. A Christmas Carol has pleasantly haunted generations of audiences around the globe, and Legacy invites audiences to make merry and ring in the holidays with their annual acclaimed rendition of the famous story.
“I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it." - Charles Dickens
2023 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, November 29 at 7pm
Thursday, November 30 at 2pm & 7pm
Friday, December 1 at 2pm & 7pm
Saturday, December 2 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 3 at 2pm
Wednesday, December 6 at 7pm
Thursday, December 7 at 2pm & 7pm
Friday, December 8 at 2pm & 7pm
Saturday, December 9 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 10 at 2pm
Production Photos by Sam Bibbins
Who’s Who
JAMES ANDREASSI (Ebenezer Scrooge) is delighted to be returning to Legacy Theatre, and to be part of Keely’s production of A Christmas Carol! Jim has performed at theatres across the United States, including Palm Beach Dramaworks, Maltz Jupiter Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, American Repertory Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Rep of St. Louis, Cleveland Playhouse, Shakespeare & Co., Pioneer Theatre Co., Lyric Stage of Boston, Merrimack Rep, Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and Elm Shakespeare Co., among many others. In NYC he has performed at the Mint Theatre and the New York Theatre Workshop. Jim has taught acting, Shakespeare, and theatre studies at Southern Connecticut State University, Yale University, Quinnipiac University, and the Yale Center for British Art. Jim is the founder and artistic director emeritus of the Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven, CT. He lives with his wife Margaret, their cats, Bambi and Rocco, and their exceptional dog, Winston, in Palm Coast, FL.
KEELY BAISDEN (Director & Mrs. Cratchit, Ghost of Christmas Past, Charity Woman, Beggar Woman, Clock Chime Singer) An award-winning director, Keely has performed, directed, and choreographed internationally in plays, musicals, operas, and dance companies in hundreds of theatrical productions and has performed in 48 of the United States and in the UK. Realizing her vision of a new theatre company on the Connecticut Shoreline, Keely’s ideals of inspiring, inclusive work that uplifts the human spirit and connects communities formalized in the creation of the Legacy Theatre with Co-Founder Stephanie Stiefel Williams, a performing colleague and dear friend.
Keely has directed, choreographed, and taught a myriad of performing arts courses at such institutions as Quinnipiac University, Yale University, Fairfield University, Hartt School of Drama, Southern Connecticut State University, Westminster College, and was the Director of Education of New Haven’s acclaimed Elm Shakespeare Company for several years. Additionally a composer/lyricist and playwright, she is a member of ASCAP and a writer/curator for Rewls Productions (www.rewlsproductions.us). Her directing has been heralded by the Arts Paper as “…visually striking, emotionally moving” and “captivating” and of her direction of Hamlet it was said, “Knudsen has made the notoriously difficult Shakespearean language accessible.” Her creation of the Wheel Life Theatre Troupe has been an especially rewarding program as she acts and directs with those who ambulate with crutches and wheelchairs.
Her BFA is from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, at which she graduated first in the class, and she received her Masters Degree in Drama on full scholarship from The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Keely, her husband Brian, and five children (Saviah, Liviana, Wynter, Emery, and Reeves) reside in Guilford, CT.
KIERSTEN BJORK (Fan, Mrs. Fezziwig, Charity Woman, Party Guest, Clock Chime Singer, Martha Cratchit, Caroler) has performed with companies such as Legacy Theatre, Seven Angels Theatre, Shoreline Theatre Company, Theatre Fairfield, and more, having worked on dozens of productions both on and offstage. Favorite performing credits include Footloose (Ethel McCormack), The Spitfire Grill (Percy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Enchantress, Madame D’Arque), [title of show] (Susan – BroadwayWorld Award Nomination: Best Performer in a Musical), Joan Joyce! (Young Joan Joyce – BroadwayWorld Award Nomination: Best Performer in a Musical), Chicago (June/“Squish”), A Christmas Carol (Fan/Mrs. Fezziwig/Others), and A Princess Tea (Evil Queen). Kiersten has also worked on numerous productions from the creative and technical sides, with favorites being Rabbit Hole (Scenic Designer), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Master Carpenter), and I Do! I Do! and The Last Five Years (Assistant Stage Manager).
Kiersten has been the Theatre Manager at Legacy for the past three seasons and is excited for all to come in 2024! She is a 2021 graduate of Fairfield University, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in Theatre and English.
In addition to her work with Legacy, Kiersten is also the Marketing and Communications Specialist for the Branford Community Foundation, an a cappella ensemble singer with the Royal Court Singers, a Book Reviewer for Booktrib, and a Theatre Critic with the Connecticut Critics Circle. You can read her theatre reviews at whitebirchblog.com. She also does freelance theatre work as a stage manager, technician, and carpenter for the Quick Center for the Arts and Theatre Fairfield. She thanks her parents, Christian, Carlin, Sarah, and Nick for their constant support.
PATRICK CLIFFORD (Tiny Tim, Family Bonds Dancer) is thrilled to be back at the Legacy Theatre to join a great group of people for this holiday tradition. He previously appeared as Chip in the Legacy’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Patrick lives in Guilford, CT and is in the 8th grade at Adams Middle School. He attended Allegro Performing Arts Academy while in elementary school and realized his love of the stage! He has also performed with The Guilford Youth and Family Services theatre program where he played Chicken Soup in their rendition of Really Rosie and was Jojo in Seussical JR. In addition to acting, Patrick plays ice hockey with the Wallingford Hawks and loves gaming.
DAN FRYE (Young Ebenezer, Fred, Gravedigger, Caroler) is thrilled to be back at Legacy, returning for another year of A Christmas Carol. Dan is a Branford native, and received a BFA in Acting from the University of South Dakota. His recent credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Beast) and The Play That Goes Wrong (Trevor) with the Legacy Theatre, and Joan Joyce! (Mailman Marinaro/Joe Joyce/Ted Williams) with Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury. Thanks to the Legacy crew for a great send-off to a stellar season!
EMERY KNUDSEN (Boy on Christmas Day, Cratchit Child, Caroler) began performing on the stage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She’s also been cast as the title role in The Little Mermaid, as Christopher Robin in The Tales of Christopher Robin and Winnie-the-Pooh, as Peter Pan in Peter and Wendy, and as Tiny Tim, Boy on Christmas Day, Ensemble Child, and Caroler in Legacy’s A Christmas Carol (2021 & 2022). She enjoys singing, writing music, and creating original stories and artwork for a comic series.
WYNTER KNUDSEN (Clock Chime Singer, Beggar) is pleased to join the cast of A Christmas Carol this year! Past roles have included John in Peter and Wendy with the world-famous Pilobolus dancers, and she has performed numerous original and scripted pieces with the Wheel Life Theatre Troupe in various locations, including two summers with the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.
CHRIS LEMIEUX (Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, Ghost of Christmas Present, Caroler) is thrilled to return to Legacy’s holiday classic for a third time! Other past Legacy credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bottom), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Charlie Brown), and The Play That Goes Wrong (Robert). Lemieux is a Branford native and graduated from Pace University with a BFA in Acting. He is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. He directs and has performed in productions with Branford Parks and Recreation Shoreline Theatre Company. He is also the director of the Walsh Intermediate School spring musical. Many thanks to Keely and ever thankful to Mom, Dad, Danny, Allie, and Ricci.
MELANIE MARTYN (Belle, Scrooge’s Niece, Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come) is thrilled to be returning to the Legacy stage! Born and raised in Maryland, she grew up primarily as a dancer before going off to Boston College to earn her BA in Theatre Arts. She’s lived and trained in London, New York City, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Past Legacy credits include Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Ophelia in Hamlet, Amanda in Private Lives, and Corie in Barefoot in the Park. She also works in film as an actress and producer and currently has many projects in development to be released in the near future. She and her husband currently live in New York City with their dog, and were ecstatic to welcome their daughter into the world in May! IG: @Melanie_martyn.
JOSIAH ROWE (Bob Cratchit, Gravedigger) Returning for the third time as Actor 1/Bob Cratchit, Josiah is delighted to be a regular at Legacy Theatre, where he has played roles ranging from Claudius in Hamlet to Tom Buchanan in The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play to Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Legacy’s young audiences might also remember him as Custard the Dragon or Winnie-the-Pooh. Other past roles include Atticus, To Kill a Mockingbird (Landmark Community Theatre, Thomaston); Scarecrow, The Wizard of Oz (Thomaston Opera House); Bhaer, Little Women (Hartford Children’s Theatre); and the Pirate King, Pirates of Penzance (Alliance Theatre). However, his favorite role is Daddy to Ashlin (11), Diana (9) and Verity (4). Love and thanks to Erin.
HALEY ORGAN (Swing) [she/her] is a senior Theater major with a History minor at Quinnipiac University from Plymouth, Massachusetts. She is grateful to have the opportunity to participate in this production. She has been involved in theater productions her entire life and has had experience with acting, writing, designing sets and costumes, and being a part of stage crew. She is excited to have this opportunity as a swing performer in this classic production. In the future, she would like to continue both performing and designing, pursuing a career in either or both elements of theater. She dedicates her participation in this performance to her late grandmother, Sharon Organ, with love.
SCOTT A. TOWERS (Swing) is a Branford native, and the current Producer for the BHS Performing Arts Spring Musicals. Scott obtained his Bachelor of Science in Music Education Voice Concentration from WCSU, where he was classically trained in opera, and was the Principal Tenor. He has his Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Post University and currently works full time at WCSU. Previous performing credits: Gaston - Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Legacy Theatre), Reverend Shaw Moore - Footloose, Comfort Counselor - The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Roger De Bris - The Producers, Corny Collins – Hairspray, Tamino - The Magic Flute, Rinuccio – Gianni Schicchi, and Frederic – The Pirates of Penzance. Scott is thrilled to be a member of the Legacy Theatre Family.
DAVID BELL (Music Director) has been active regionally for many years as a musician and actor. He previously appeared on the Legacy stage as Maurice in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and George Wilson and other characters in The Great Gatsby: A Live Radio Play. He was the music director for three Legacy productions: Just Desserts, Joan Joyce!, and A Christmas Carol (for which he also arranged the music). This is one of his first outings as a composer/arranger, and he has thoroughly enjoyed working with Keely and enhancing her beautiful melodies and lyrics. As an actor, he has appeared at Ivoryton Playhouse (Children of Eden/The Father; Taming of the Shrew/Lucentio; You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown/Schroeder), with the Orange Players (Guys and Dolls/Sky Masterson), East Lyme Regional Theatre (Footloose/Rev. Moore), Center Stage (I Hate Hamlet/John Barrymore; Anything Goes/Evelyn Oakleigh), and many others. He won an Outstanding Contribution by a Leading Actor award for his performance at the 2007 New Works New Haven Festival. In his other lives, David is an accompanist, singer, church organist, choir director, hiker, biker, and cat owner (or perhaps the cat owns him).
JAMIE BURNETT (Scenic & Lighting Designer) is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, recipient of the 2005 New Haven Arts award, and Founding member of The Elm Shakespeare Company. Lighting Designer at Elm Shakespeare for 26 years and Set Designer until 2009. Lighting Design credits include International Festival of Arts and Ideas 2018, Requiem for an Electric Chair; Iseman Theater 2017, Never Stand Still. CCT: Skeleton Crew, Rasheeda Speaking, Jesus Hopped the A Train, Sunset Baby, Topdog/Underdog. SCSU: Stop Kiss, Much Ado About Nothing, The Boyfriend, and Our Country’s Good. SHU: In The Heights, Jesus Christ Superstar. Citywide Open Studios: New Haven Armory; Projects2k: Stamford Train Station Façade Lighting; Producer/Lighting Designer/Production Manager for Terra Tractus (The Earth Moves), (2005) Terra Mirabila, (2001) Terra Lumina and Terra Continuum (1999): performed in the Stony Creek Granite Quarry; PNM’s Branford Luminata (2010) lighting Branford Green Town Hall. His company, Luminous Environments, specializes in theater and TV studio renovations and public art installations involving specialized lighting. Recent projects: Branford HS Theater, Fairfield Community Theater, and Legacy Theatre.
ADAM JACKSON (Sound Designer) is thrilled to have been a part of Legacy’s third season! Adam has worked on over 50 productions as an actor and designer. He has done technical theatre design work for Walsh Intermediate School, the Branford High School Fall Play and Spring Musical, Ivoryton Playhouse, WCSU Opera, Elm Shakespeare Company, and Seven Angels Theatre. He is also the resident technical supervisor at Shoreline Theatre Company where he particularly enjoys working on the summer camp shows. Adam recently graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BS in Music Education and a concentration in classical trombone. He runs sound for The River Church in Danbury and recently completed a job long-term substitute teaching band at Jack Jackter Intermediate School in Colchester, CT.
RICH BURKAM (Master Carpenter) came to Connecticut to study music and music recording at UNH. He played in bands such as 4:20, Space Cushion, and Over The Line. His studies continued, learning to be a luthier under Barry Lipman and Chris Tatalias, giving him a taste for fine woodworking. Richard now owns a woodshop that makes fine furniture, in a space which is shared with lighting designer Jamie Burnett. Together they have built sets for many production companies, including Elm Shakespeare, Yale Baroque Opera Project, and many small black box theater productions.
T. RICK JONES (Production Stage Manager) A graduate of London’s Mountview Theatre School, T. Rick’s face is starting to become a familiar one around here! This is his second A Christmas Carol, and since last year he’s also SMed Yale Opera’s The Rape of Lucretia here and also Masters of Puppets. His career spans 30 years, with other credits including Regional: White Heron Theatre Company (Resident SM/Production Manager); Lyric Stage Company of Boston (PSM); White Plains Performing Arts Center (PSM); Colonial Theatre – Shakespeare in the Park (PSM, Production Manager, Assistant Producer, Production Photographer); The Ivoryton Playhouse (PSM); Seven Angels Theatre (PSM). Off-Broadway: Sessions: The Musical (PSM); A Night at the Carlyle (PSM); Yohen (PSM). T. Rick is also the Managing Editor of the online outlet Daily Star Trek News and a Contributing Writer for Sherlock Holmes Magazine.
COLLEEN CALLAHAN (Assistant Stage Manager & Wardrobe Assistant) is thrilled to be returning to the Legacy Theatre Team! She is a recent graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a degree in Theatre Arts. Her previous experience includes Legacy Theatre’s The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) (Props Designer & Assistant Stage Manager), The Play That Goes Wrong (Props Designer), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Assistant Props Designer & Wardrobe Supervisor), and A Christmas Carol (Assistant Stage Manager & Wardrobe Assistant); Yale Opera’s The Rape of Lucretia (Run Crew); and WCSU’s Hand To God (Assistant Costume Designer).
LANE SHOEMAKER (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to return for their second year backstage for A Christmas Carol. They started the year constructing and painting props for escape rooms. Then they were down in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina to be the Assistant Props Manager for the Flat Rock Playhouse’s 2023 season. Lane is excited to be back home for the holidays and working with this wonderful cast and crew again.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Tony Adinolfi, Jennifer Buonfiglio, Emmett Cassidy, Betzabeth Castro, Maeve Cunningham, June Gold, Adam Jackson (Instrumentation), Liviana Knudsen, Saviah Knudsen, Callie Liberatore, Pantochino Productions, David Sepulveda, Elm Shakespeare Company, Nancy Smith, Amie Ziner.