Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 5 - 7, 12 - 14 @ 8:00 pm
Dec. 1 & 8 @ 3:00 pm
The Carols
Book and lyrics by Jennifer Child
Music by Monica Stephenson
Directed by Erika Cuenca & Robyne Parrish
Music Director: Douglas Levine
With: Elizabeth Boyke*, Beth Johnstone Bush*
Marc Moritz*, Moira Quigley* Mandie Russak
It's Christmastime in 1944. War is raging and, here at home, a group of neighbors gathers at the VFW to make the most of what they have.
This new original musical comedy, first staged in 2017, is back by popular demand and tells the story of an oddball friendship between a trio of singing sisters, an out-of-work Catskills comic, a limping piano player, and their grumpy Scrooge-like landlady. The Carols is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud and hopeful musical that looks at making something right with all the wrong people.
"For a laugh-out-loud evening of theatre that will leave you smiling and marveling at the talent in Pittsburgh, The Carols is a must-see show.”
PGH in the Round 2017
“...the heart is there, and for a holiday show, that’s essential. At its core, The Carols is about loss, and the power the holidays have to reconnect us.
Pittsburgh City Paper 2017
This show is really funny, clever, sometimes silly and a joy to watch...beautiful songs...a crowd pleaser
'Burgh Vivant 2017
"This twist on all the holiday stories you have already heard is terrifically fresh and entertaining."
Pgh in the Round 2019
"...a fine cast of seasoned performers giving their all to put the material across...It’s a sweet, gentle Hallmark Christmas Channel story told on its own terms."
Pittsburgh Current 2019
"Jennifer Childs (book and lyrics) and Monica Stephenson (music) put together a lively Christmas frolic that alludes to (and is set in ) the past, but ventures into the land of artistic license with a mish-mash of elements all designed to make you laugh with intoxicating humor..."
OwlScribe 2019
"The ensemble works well together. Their movements and singing are top notch...Quigley, Russak and Boyke have wonderful harmony..."
'Burgh Vivant 2019
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Beth Johnstone Bush
Actor - Miss Betty
Making her off the WALL debut as Miss Betty.
Mandie Russak
Actor - Rose Carol
Mandie is reprising her role as Rose Carol. For more info, click here...
Douglas Levine
Music Director - Teddy
Making his off the WALL debut as music director as well as the pianist Teddy. For more info, click here
Erika Cuenca
Director
Erika is the Associate Artistic Director of off the WALL and produced the first version of The Carols in 2017.
Robyne Parrish
Director
Robyne is an actor, director and playwright and among many other plays, directed The Carols in 2017. For more info, click here
Elizabeth Boyke
Actor - Silvia Carol
This is her third play with off the WALL, having just appeared in Not Medea. For more info, click here
Moira Quigley
Actor - Lily Carol
Moira is reprising her role as Lily Carol
Marc Moritz
Actor - Melvin Shaatz
Making his off the WALL debut
as Melvin Shaatz.
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Jennifer Childs
Playwright - Lyricist
Jen is a playwright, actor, director and Artistic Director of 1812 productions in Philadelphia. More, click here
Monica Stephenson
Composer
Monica is a composer, vocalist, comedian and teaching artist living in Pittsburgh. For more info, click here