Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol – 2024!
Scrooge – Eric Fletcher
Ghost of Christmas Past/Franny – Andrea Woodbridge
Agy/Ghost of Christmas Present – Brenda Bell
Marley, US Scrooge – Michael DeRosa
Mrs. Fezzi/Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come/Poor Nora – Courtney E. Hansen
Bob Cratchit/Mr. Fezzi, US Marley – Thomas Ovitt
Mrs. Cratchit/Belle – Lexie Showalter
Fred/Diggs – Austin Blake Sasser
Midge/Marley Spirit/Caroler – Shea Coughlin-Jacobs
Solicitor/Mrs. Holly – Sue-Ellen Mandell
Marley Spirit/Caroler/Patricia Cratchit/ Want & Ignorance – Sara Horiuchi
Caroler/Older Younger Scrooge/US Fred – Alex Russ
Caroler/Fan/US Mrs. Cratchit, Belle – Celeste Vandermillen
Caroler/John/US Cratchit – Maximilian Johnsson
Paper Boy/Young Scrooge/Turkey Girl/Want & Ignorance – Avery Ilardi
Tiny Tim – Rosie Ilardi, Giulia Ilardi, Nicholas David Crocco, Owen Corrigan
Youth Ensemble – Christopher Burke, Clara Burke, Ella Anderson, Sadie Lewinter
Eric Fletcher’s Off-Broadway credits include A Christmas Carol the Musical (Ebenezer Scrooge) Frankenstein (Victor Frankenstein), Hollow (Henry and Van Ripper), Phantom of the Opera (The Phantom), Beauty and the Beast (Papa), The Little Mermaid (Fish Witch), Cinderella (Madame), Alice in Wonderland (Queen of Hearts), The Selfish Giant (Giant) and Treasure Island (Ben Gunn). Eric earned a BFA in theatre per-formance form Virginia Commonwealth University. He can also be seen around New York as his drag persona Sparkle Monster. Thanks to friends, family and Michael Capecci.
Andrea Woodbridge is thrilled to be returning to the Players Theatre stage for her fourth year in a row as The Ghost of Christmas Past! She has appeared in other productions on this stage such as Dark Ladies, The Hollow, The Stranger, Murder on the Links, A Man Among Ye, and Blood Countess. She would like to thank the fantastic cast and crew for making this such an amazing experience, and send loads of love to Sierra and Steve. www.andreawoodbridge.com; @andrea_m_woodbridge
Brenda is thrilled to be a part of the 16th anniversary of A Christmas Carol the Musical at the Players Theatre – and to welcome audiences – new and familiar – to celebrate this holiday tradition together. Brenda founded Literally Alive Theatre in 1999 and Be Bold! Productions in 2009. She has written the book and lyrics for each production, including 13 with composer Michael Sgouros. Her adaptations of A Christmas Carol and original musical Tico Tales were featured in Costa Rica at Teatro Jaco. Rumor has it that she wrote, produced and directed her first show at age six when the summer proved to be too boring. Her first love has always been dance and Bell is committed to increasing the role of dance in Off-Broadway musicals. As the owner of the Showboat Theatre, she wrote and produced shows for theatre legends including Mickey Rooney, Jamie Farr, Van Johnson, Mimi Hines and Frank Gorshin. Her writing credits also include Reading Is Cool for Reading is Fundamental and Chasing Phantom, a travelogue that traced the novel of Phantom of the Opera through Paris. She would like to thank this talented cast and creative team for bringing Dickens story to life and The Players Theatre for providing the perfect home for her whimsy and always encouraging her to be bold! Special thanks to her husband Michael Sgouros for his unending support and trust.
Michael DeRosa is a passionate and versatile performer based in Manhattan. He’s appeared in various film, TV and stage productions throughout NYC, including originating multiple roles in a reading of the new musical “Illusion” last fall. Michael is thrilled to be returning to the Players Theatre as Jacob Marley in this production! Select credits include “Carrie” (Moon Phase Theatricals), “The Arconia” (SPF NYC June 2024), “The EMC List Sings Kesha” (54 Below), and “The Little Mermaid” (Players Theatre). Proud Hofstra BFA Performance Class of ‘19 alum. Special thanks to his friends and family for all their support! IG: @michaeloftherosa
Courtney E. Hansen is thrilled to be part of this production of A Christmas Carol. She has been part of the Players Theatre, Literally Alive, and Be Bold! teams for over a decade, both in the office, behind the scenes doing costumes, and under the veil on stage. Love to her cast, crew, family, friends, niblings, & mechanic.
Thomas Ovitt is so excited to be making his Off-Broadway Debut at The Players Theatre. A native of Connecticut, he graduated with an MFA at the Actors Studio Drama School. Theatre Credits include A Quiet Light, Come Blow Your Horn, Gloria, and The Tempest. Film credits include Come On Up and Summerhouse. Tom wants to thank his beautiful family for their ever loving support. You know who you are! Enjoy the Show!
Lexie Showalter is thrilled to return to The Players Theater for A Christmas Carol! Recent theater credits include Madame Moreaux/Julia in Dark Ladies (Players Theater), Midge in The Hollow (Players Theater), Libby in I’m Trying to Understand You But. . . (Japan Society), Doris in The Stranger (Players Theater) Hero/Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing (SITW), Helena in Midsummer Nights Dream (Players Theater) and Barb in Hope and Gravity (Circle Theater). She’s also a proud cast member and writer of a bimonthly live sketch show Our Bar in NYC. BFA MT from TCU. www.lexieshowalter.com
Austin Blake Sasser is currently an NYC based actor. Some credits include: Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Pass Over, Cinderella, The Hollow, Black Snow, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Titus Andronicus! He graduated from The Atlantic Acting School’s full time conservatory and has been working in the city ever since. He would like to thank all his loved ones for helping him get the privilege of performing! He hopes you all enjoy the show! And with that being said….IIITTSS SHOWTIIIIIME!!!!
Shea Coughlin-Jacobs is thrilled to be returning to the West Village to spread the Christmas spirit at the Players for the fourth year running! Credit highlights include: Nickel Mines (professional premiere) Frankenstein the Musical (Off-Broadway) and regular guest appearances at The Sparkle Monster Variety Show in Times Square. When she is not performing, she organizes dance fundraisers for the Democratic Party with industry veterans MaryAnn Lamb and Susan Meisner. Shea would like to thank her wife, Kayleigh for her constant love and support.
Sue-Ellen Mandell appeared in many Regional, Off-off Broadway and Off Broadway productions. Roles include: Blanche: Streetcar Named Desire, Martha: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Ouisa: Six Degrees of Separation, Escalus: Measure for Measure. At The New York Theater Festival: Sunset Park, for which she was nominated as Best Actress. Television work: Celebrity Ghost Stories, Investigation Discovery. Golden Corral and other commercials. At Comedy Central, collaborating to produce and appear in several Mini Mocks on their website. She has been seen in 20 productions, Off Broadway, at The Players Theater. When not acting, she enjoys teasing her granddaughters and sailing with her “boatman”, Jack! [email protected]
Sara Horiuchi is grateful to be returning this lovely show “A Christmas Carol”! A native of Tokyo, Japan, she studied musical theater in Rock Springs, Wyoming and moved to NYC in 2022. Credit: Spit&Vigor “Brutes” George, “A Man Among Ye” Thuathuall, The Raven, Literally Alive “Cinderella “, “A Christmas Carol”, CityDanceNY “Coppelia”, AT dance Company “Awake”. Big love to my family.
Alex Russ is thrilled to be making his NYC theater debut in The Players Theatre’s 16th annual production of A Christmas Carol. He is a proud recent graduate of Syracuse University where he received a BFA in Acting. Alex would love to thank his family and friends for their unwavering support! @itsalexruss
Celeste Vandermillen is excited to be back for her second year of A Christmas Carol at The Players Theatre! She has recently been a part of several readings of new works, including House of Eerie Figures, Neverland Never Ends, The Importance of Being Oedipus, and Finding Aaron. New York: The Edge of Nature (La MaMa), Alice in Wonderland (The Players Theatre), Tinytanic (SoHo Playhouse). Regional: Seussical (Argyle Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (Winnipesaukee Playhouse), Awesome Allie (Plaza Theatrical). @celestevandermillen celestevandermillen.com
Maximilian Johnsson is super excited to be returning to a Christmas Carol at The Players Theatre! Recent theater credits include THE SEAGULL (Konstantin, Aliasteatern), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Flute/Mustard seed, RiffRaff), MACBETH (Malcolm, Screwdriver Studio).
Avery is super excited to be back on stage during the most magical time of the year and to help spread holiday cheer to everyone who comes to see this amazing production. Avery can be seen playing the drums in the Kars4Kids Commercial, laughing it up with the Impractical Jokers in a couple of episodes, co-staring alongside Matt Rife and Eric Roberts in The Elevator and The Undead. Avery would like to thank Mother, Father, Rotner and Jim for their constant love and support. Happy Holidays to everyone @averyilardi