Press "Enter" to skip to content

Genesius presents a local twist on a holiday classic, ‘A Berks County Christmas Carol’

Genesius Theatre presents an original musical based on the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” for 10 performances Dec. 10 to 19.

“A Berks County Christmas Carol” – set in present day Reading and Berks County – was written and adapted by Genesius artistic director L J Fecho. Genesius co-founder Michael O’Flaherty, a Broadway and regional music director, composed the music and lyrics.

Michael O’Flaherty as Ebenezer Scrooge tells the story of Santa’s evil henchman, Krampus (background portrayed by Jonathan Erkert), as Tim Cratchit, portrayed by Harrison Brumbaugh, and Kathy Cratchit, portrayed by Ellen Rochlin, let their imaginations run wild. (Photo courtesy of Don Carrick of Studio 413 and Zack Spadaccia)

The show has roots in their first adaption, “The Belsnickel Scrooge,” written as a Pennsylvania Dutch version of “A Christmas Carol” set in Reading during the Great Depression.

“I had been the artistic director at Genesius Theatre for over a decade, and I was looking for an annual production of A Christmas Carol. Many of the versions I found had already been presented several times in the Reading area, and, to be honest, we were looking for something where we wouldn’t have to pay royalties,” said Fecho.

Reading is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, so Fecho thought it would be unique to take this classic story and set it in Berks County.

“The Belsnickel is a sort of Bad Santa etched in Germanic folklore, and from that character concept, Michael and I created ‘The Belsnickel Scrooge,’” said Fecho.

In subsequent productions, the story is set in different time periods.

At the professional regional theater, Goodspeed Musicals, where the musical “Annie” got its start, Fecho and O’Flaherty’s “A Connecticut Christmas Carol” was set on the stage of the Goodspeed Opera House in 1925 and Scrooge ventured back to the late 1800s.

“The premise is that Mr. Goodspeed himself has requested that legendary Connecticut actor and original Sherlock Holmes (and hometown boy) William Gillette play Scrooge in a final production of A Christmas Carol before the Opera House is shuttered for good,” said Fecho.

After extensive research, Fecho discovered that the great showman P.T. Barnum and Mark Twain not only lived in Central Connecticut at one time, but knew each other and were also friendly with William Gillette.

“Those historical figures created the very foundation for the ghosts that visit Scrooge on that fateful Christmas Eve.”

The historical spirits in that production were J. P Morgan (Jacob Marley), Benedict Arnold (Past), P. T. Barnum (Present), and Mark Twain (Future).

“At Goodspeed, Scrooge was played by Robert Cuccioli, Broadway’s original ‘Jekyll & Hyde,’ and the production ran for three-sold-out holiday seasons prior to COVID!” said Fecho.

In 2019, Hunter Foster, Genesius director, requested a customized show for the Redhouse Performing Arts Center in Syracuse, NY, where he was the artistic director. For “A Syracuse Christmas Carol,” the story was set in 1999, and Scrooge was shown his past life in the 1940s.

Fred Grandy of TVs “The Love Boat” fame played Scrooge. The historical figures were a mix of Syracuse local heroes: L. Frank Baum, who wrote “The Wizard of Oz” (Present) and Rod Serling of “The Twilight Zone” (Past).

“It also was a sold-out hit, but unfortunately COVID reared its ugly head two months later and we only got to present the show for one season,” said Fecho.

Michael O’Flaherty as Ebenezer Scrooge with the “Did You Boscov” lip girls Dara Himes, Whitney Shurr and Sarah Althen, in Genesius Theatre’s original musical “A Berks County Christmas Carol.” (Photo courtesy of Don Carrick of Studio 413 and Zack Spadaccia)

Now, Genesius Theatre’s upcoming production of “A Berks County Christmas Carol” – featuring historical and iconic figures of Berks County – takes place in present day downtown Reading and Scrooge travels back to his younger years in Berks County in the 1950s.

“Michael and I are extremely grateful to Genesius Theatre for supporting us and kicking off our great adventure into writing musicals shows,” said Fecho. “It’s exciting to have this opportunity for ‘The Belsnickel Scrooge’ to come full circle with today’s presentation of ‘A Berks County Christmas Carol.’”

Looking ahead, O’Flaherty and Fecho have high hopes that this Christmas story will become a tradition at many theaters across the country and maybe around the world.

Cast of “A Berks County Christmas Carol”

The musical features a local cast of about 30 adults, teens, tweens and children.

Genesius veteran, Christopher Sperat, plays all three spirits that visit Scrooge, appearing as local historical people whose identities have been kept a secret as a surprise element for the audience.

Michael O’Flaherty as Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the spirit of corrupt Reading Racketeer Abraham Minker (Jacob Marley character in the Dickens’ classic) portrayed by Kevin Cooper, in a scene from Genesius Theatre’s original musical “A Berks County Christmas Carol.” (Photo courtesy of Don Carrick of Studio 413 and Zack Spadaccia)

Another Genesius veteran, Kevin Cooper, plays Scrooge’s dead and evil partner, traditionally known as Jacob Marley, in the persona of an infamous Reading Racketeer from the corrupt 1950s and 60s. Cooper is also the music director and conductor for the show.

Other key cast members include Daniel Graf as Bob Cratichit, Jennifer Parker Scott as Martha Cratchit, Ellen Rochlin as Kathy Cratchit, Harrison Brumbaugh as Tiny Tim Cratchit, Bo Irwin as Young Ebenezer Scrooge, Cecilia Cooper as Isabel, young Ebenezer’s fiancé, Dara Himes as Jen, young Scrooge’s sister, James Haggerty as Harry, Scrooge’s nephew, and Jonathan Erkert portraying several key roles throughout the musical.

Michael O’Flaherty as Ebenezer Scrooge delivers presents to Bob Cratchit, portrayed by Daniel W. Graf, Tim Cratchit (sitting) portrayed by Harrison Brumbaugh, Kathy Cratchit, portrayed by Ellen Rochlin, and Martha Cratchit, portrayed by Jennifer Parker Scott, in Genesius Theatre’s original musical “A Berks County Christmas Carol.” (Photo courtesy of Don Carrick of Studio 413 and Zack Spadaccia)

Orchestrations are by Dan DeLange. The production is directed and produced by Fecho.

Dan Pardo is consulting on the music, Sophie Xiong is the show’s choreographer. The set design is by Randall Hauk, lighting design by Zack Spadaccia, sound design by Albert Garcia, and costume design by Cathy Miller. The musical is stage managed by Becka Malanios and Sara Huard.

From Genesius to Broadway and back

In 1971, O’Flaherty, along with the late Jane Simmon Miller, co-founded Genesius, a community theater in Reading.

“Michael was in his early 20s, and I was just 13 years old when I found my way to this very special theater that opened its arms to young people, encouraging them to explore every facet of musical theatre. This was the beginning of a life-long friendship,” said Fecho.

After leaving Genesius in the late 1970s and re-locating to New York City, O’Flaherty worked at Playwrights Horizons, The Whole Theatre, The Acting Company, The Chelsea Theatre Center, The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C., The Smithsonian Institution, and The Kennedy Center.

He was the music director and cabaret director of the famed Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts for 11 seasons, working with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Christopher Reeve, Celeste Holm, Frank Langella, Richard Dreyfuss, and Joanne Woodward.

On Broadway he conducted Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “By Jeeves” and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and composed the score for Nikos Psacharopoulos’ production of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”

Off-Broadway he was musical supervisor, arranger and performer for Carol Hall’s “To Whom It May Concern,” directed by legendary Golden Age of Hollywood actress, Geraldine Fitzgerald.

After 28 years as resident music director of Goodspeed Opera House, where he conducted more than 100 musicals, O’Flaherty recently retired and returns to the Genesius stage as Ebenezer Scrooge in the upcoming production of “A Berks County Christmas Carol.”

Michael O’Flaherty as Ebenezer Scrooge, center, is visited by local business leaders and philanthropists Cecilia Cooper as Sandy Solmon of Sweet Street Desserts (front), Jonathan Erkert (right middle) as Santo Marabella of Marabella Entertainment, Daniel W. Graf as Bob Cratchit (left middle), Kevin Cooper as Craig Poole of the Doubletree by Hilton (right back row), and James Haggerty as Scrooge’s eternally optimistic nephew, Harry. (Photo courtesy of Don Carrick of Studio 413 and Zack Spadaccia)

Show Dates and Tickets

The Genesius 2021-2022 season is sponsored by Sweet Street Desserts and the show is sponsored by The Wyomissing Foundation. Through a grant from the Wyomissing Foundation, Genesius offers 250 free tickets to frontline workers. To reserve tickets, email GenesiusXmasCarol@gmail.com, and include phone number and desired show dates and times.

Rated G, the family oriented show has some scary moments and may not be ideal for very young children. Fog, haze, strobing lights and loud sound effects are part of the production.

Genesius presents a sensory friendly production on Dec. 19 at 10 a.m., in association with The Autism Society of Berks County. Tickets can be purchased through the Autism Society. This performance is developed by Emily Lynch and Kelly Snyder.

Shows run Dec. 10 to 19, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 to $32.50. For tickets, more information and the show’s online playbill, visit www.genesiusdifference.org.

Audience members must wear a mask. The cast and crew will not be wearing masks, but all front of house Genesius volunteers will be.

Genesius, a non-profit theatre, is located at 153 N. 10th St., Reading, and is accessible. Free limited parking is available next to the theatre. For more information, call 610-371-8151.


Source: Berkshire mont

Be First to Comment

    Leave a Reply