Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge

Written by Christopher Durang

Directed by Phil Johnson

Featuring Eileen Bowman, Phil Johnson, Omri Schein, Durwood Murray, Bryan Barbarin, Sue Boland, Teri Brown, Adam Daniel, Hayden Emmerson, Melissa Fernandes, Jo Anne Glover, Ron Christopher Jones, Walter Murray, Alexa Querin, Ben Williams & Wendy Maples

It's the ultimate Christmas party with the drunken Mrs. Bob Cratchit, the bumbling Ghost of Christmas Past, and the eternally cranky Ebenezer Scrooge. They're joined by the rest of Dickens' beloved characters in Durang's mash-up of the season's most beloved stories: A Christmas Carol, The Gift of the Magi, It's a Wonderful Life, and more! 'Tis the season for regret, envy, and greed as Mrs. Bob Cratchit ditches the hubby and the brats for a hilariously twisted adventure all her own. So fill your glass with laughter, garnish it with a few "bah humbugs," and join the wild binge!

Cast

Eileen Bowman

Actor (Mrs. Bob Cratchit)

Eileen has been seen on stages all over Southern CA. Favorite roles include Lily Garland in On the 20th Century at Cygnet Theater, Judy Denmark in Ruthless the Musical at MOXIE Theatre, Alice Beineke in The Addams Family at Moonlight Stage Productions, and Judy Garland in the critically-acclaimed End of The Rainbow at Intrepid Theatre. Some other favorite roles include Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Lamb's Players Theatre (SD Critics Circle Award), Keely Stevens in Pete 'n' Keely at Lamb's Players Theatre (SD Critics Circle nomination), and Amy in Company at Cygnet Theatre.

Phil Johnson

Actor (Ebenezer Scrooge)

Phil is a proud founding partner of The Roustabouts Theatre Co. As an actor/writer, his solo show, A Jewish Joke (co-written with Marni Freedman) ran locally and regionally throughout the country, as well as an Off-Broadway in March 2019 His other shows include Withering Heights, She-Rantulas from Outer Space in 3D!, and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Phil played in Les Misérables on Broadway and on tour; the Canadian production of Sunset Boulevard; and the 1st National Co. of Miss Saigon. He is a two-time winner of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award for acting. He regularly performs at local theatres including North Coast Rep, The Old Globe, Diversionary Theatre, and Cygnet Theatre. Local directing credits include SD Playwrights Project and Scripps Ranch Theatre. He teaches and produces a Solo Show Workshop for writer/performers that is part of The Roustabouts season. Phil's newest one-man show, Roosevelt: Charge the Bear, co-written with Marni Freedman, was presented and streamed by The Roustabouts in 2020. philjohnson.net

Omri Schein

Actor (Tiny Tim / Edvar)

Omri is a performer/lyricist/playwright. As a writer: The Remarkable Mister Holmes (Premiere 2022), Making Melrose (2021) at Slippery Rock University, Fintastic Finn (2021) at Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Mambo Italiano (2019) at Westchester Broadway Theatre, Withering Heights (2017) with The Roustabouts Theatre Co., and Gary Goldfarb: Master Escapist (2013) winner of the 2013 NYMF Award for Best Lyrics. As a performer he has been seen regionally in Babette’s Feast, All In The Timing, A Funny Thing…Forum, Persuasion, Noises Off, The Explorer's Club, Beau Jest, Laughter On the 23rd Floor, The Underpants, The 25th Annual…Bee, Five Course Love, When Pigs Fly, Disney’s Beauty and The Beast, Dear World, The People Vs. Mona (Off-Broadway/Cast Recording), Hell’s Belles, Henry V, Grease (tour) and When You’re in Love, The Whole World Is Jewish. He has taught at San Diego State University and Marymount Manhattan College, and currently teaches at Southwestern College. omri-schein.com

Durwood Murray

Actor (Ghost of Christmas Past, Present & Future)

Durwood is so happy to be performing again, previously appearing in Handbagged and Our Lady of Kibeho at MOXIE Theatre. He’s also appeared in The Servant of 2 Masters and To Kill A Mockingbird (New Village Arts); Well and A Civil War Christmas (Diversionary Theatre); and Father Comes Home from the Wars Parts I, II, and III (Intrepid Theatre Company). Durwood would like to thank The Usual Suspects, Wondrous Strange, and all The Partners for their love and support. 

Bryan Barbarin

Actor (Jacob Marley's Ghost / Tess The Angel / George Bailey)

Bryan Barbarin is happy to get rowdy at Roustabout’s. He is a veteran of the San Diego Stage and now plays with two internationally touring bands The Routine and Steam Powered Giraffe. Some of his credits include Rocky Horror Picture Show (CCAE) Parade (Cygnet Theatre), Man of La Mancha, Oz (Lambs Players Theatre), Music Man, Harvey, The Glory Man, Around the World in 80 Days, Big River (New Village Arts), Hamlet, The Three Penny Opera (San Diego Rep) and Dreamgirls.

Sue EV Boland

Actor (Monica The Irish Angel / Gentlemen Collecting for Christmas) 

Susan is a Coronado resident, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, NYC and is a retired CPA. Most recently Sue headed to the East Coast as Aunt March and Mrs. Kirk in Little Women (Skyline Theatre). Theatre Credits include major roles in Fiddler on the Roof, Meet Me in St. Louis, Cabaret, Grease, Stepping Out, My Fair Lady, Nunsense, Little Women, Pirates of Penzance, Guys and Dolls, Most Happy Fella, Ragtime, Damn Yankees, Oklahoma, and Three Penny Opera.

Teri Brown

Actor (Mrs. Fezziwig / The Beadle's Wife)

Teri served as the Artistic Director of OnStage Playhouse for over 15 years and most recently appeared there as Frankie in Frankie & Johnny at the Clair de Lune, which garnered her a 2019 Craig Noel Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance. Local acting credits: Regrets Only (Diversionary); Perfect Wedding, Absurd Person Singular, California Suite (Scripps Ranch Theatre); Vania & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Coronado Playhouse); The Laramie Project, Sordid Lives, The Diary of Anne Frank (OnStage Playhouse). Directing credits include: Dogfight (Coronado Playhouse); and at OnStage Playhouse: Carrie the Musical, Xanadu, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and Spring Awakening (2017 Craig Noel Award Nomination for Outstanding Resident Musical).

Adam Daniel

Actor (Cratchit Child 2 / Young Ebenezer Scrooge / Fezziwig Daughter)

Adam is a professional film and theatre actor and puppeteer with over 20 years of experience. Adam is currently starring in the horror film Ghosted and performing as First Mate Mr. Moss in the pirate show Boarded! Adam has starred in several commercials and the film Dollhead. Some favorite theatre credits include A Streetcar Named Desire (Stanley Kowalski) Noises Off (Garry) and The Odd Couple (Felix Ungar). Adam is a graduate of SDSU and the British American Drama Academy (BADA) in Oxford University, England.

Hayden Emmerson

Actor (Bob Cratchit)

Hayden is born and raised in Ventura, California, Hayden has been acting for over a decade. In 2019, he graduated from UCSD majoring in Theatre with an emphasis in acting. He was last seen on the stage as Leo in And Neither Have I Wings To Fly at Scripps Ranch Theatre. Other credits include, Jefferson Middle School Monthly (La Jolla Playhouse), Green Cockatoo (UCSD), Into The Woods (VC), and Whatever You Need (UCSD). haydenemmerson.com

Melissa Fernandes

Actor (Cratchit Child 1 / Young Jacob Marley / Zuzu Bailey / Gentlemen Collecting for Christmas)

Musical Monday; ion theatre: Sunday in the Park with George (nominee, SDCC); New Village Arts: God of Carnage, Big River, The Full Monty, Same Time, Next Year, Into the Woods (nominee, SDCC); Moxie Theatre: Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky, Drink Me, Dog Act; Diversionary(Associate Artist): Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show, Break Up Notebook, Bunbury, 5th of July, Never the Sinner; North Coast Rep: Dancing at Lughnasa, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Holiday Memories; Regional: Sierra Rep: Little Shop of Horrors; La Jolla Playhouse: Harmony; Education: MFA- Musical Theatre, SDSU. SDCC Actor of the Year, Female 2016.

Jo Anne Glover

Actor (Clarence The Angel)

Jo Anne is the Co-Founder of MOXIE Theatre and has also worked On- and Off-Broadway, in Los Angeles, and regionally.  In San Diego, she has worked with MOXIE, Diversionary Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, San Diego Rep, New Village Arts, Intrepid. Some credits include Bull in a China Shop,The Revolutionists, The Kid Thing (SDCC Best Actress Nominee), Emilie, Maple & Vine, Hickorydickory, Zoot Suit, Our Town, Or, The Norman Conquests, The Receptionist (SDCC Best Supp. Actress), Summer and Smoke, Expecting Isabel, Drink Me, Rabbit Hole, Bleeding Kansas, Off The Ground, The Listener, Bluebonnet Court, Devil Dog Six, WET, Miss Witherspoon, Dog Act, Limonades Tous les Jours (Patte award, Best Actress), Pulp, Kimberly Akimbo, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Hamlet, Stop Kiss, and Othello.

Ron Christopher Jones

Actor (Mr. Fezziwig / The Beadle / Bartender 2)

Ron is happy to be performing at the Roustabout Theatre. His most recent connection here was as Line Producer for For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, and this reading.. Reginal credits include 33 1/3 House Of Dreams at the San Diego Rep., Ain't Misbehane' at North Coast , How The Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre, and Play On! at the Pasadena Playhouse. Favorite roles include Scrooge in Christmas Is Coming Up Town, Horse in The Full Monty, and Mr. Magix in My One And Only. Ron is the 2021 winner of Best Actor for the 48 Hour Film Project, and 2018 winner of Best Actor, and Best Fight Choreographer, at the San Diego Film Awards. He is the proud father of 6 year old Maisie, and is married to acupuncturist, Marylynn Jones. In what little spare time Ron has, he likes playing golf, and darts. Ron spent the last 2 1⁄2 years as Production Manager for San Diego Musical Theatre, overseeing all creative aspects of shows from design, to closing night. Ron is an avid film maker, and during the pandemic his production company, RCJones Productions, created and filmed many outdoor concerts and events.

Walter Murray

Actor (Bartender 1 / Fezziwig Daughter)

Walter is well-known to San Diego audiences for his many appearances on local stages. Since the mid-1980s Walter has been seen at The Old Globe, Sledgehammer Theatre, Fritz Theater, San Diego Repertory Theatre, SD Black Ensemble Theater (Co-Founder and Executive Director), New Village Arts, Lamb’s Theater, North Coast Rep, and The Roustabouts Theatre Co. He has also appeared in productions in Los Angeles and New York. Film appearances include Your Name Here and The Case Regarding Joan of Arc. Thank you, Drs. Stanton, Epston, and Levine.

Alexa Querin

Actor (Hedwig / Nice Mrs. Cratchit / Serena the Maid)

Alexa is so excited to be making her Roustabouts Theatre Co. debut with this incredible cast and creative team! Favorite previous roles include: Rachel Corrie in My Name is Rachel Corrie, Heather McNamara in Heathers, Fantine in Les Misérables, Celia/Duke Senior in As You Like It, Pericles in Pericles, and Princess Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress. Education: BFA in Acting from Baldwin Wallace University. Proud member of Ring of Keys. For my sailor, Jasmine. @alexaquerin

Ben Williams

Actor (Little Nell Cratchit / Fezziwig Daughter)

Ben is delighted to be involved in his first production with The Roustabouts Theatre! Notable roles include Motel in Fiddler on the Roof, Freddy in My Fair Lady, Eraste in The Heir Apparent, Sky in Mamma Mia, and Fred in Miracle on 34th Street. He has also been seen as a performer at Legoland and SeaWorld. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Cal State Long Beach. Ben is a co-founder of Lighthouse Players and stays busy with teaching fantastic students musical theatre as well as producing and performing. Thank you Roustabouts Theatre for this opportunity! Jeremiah 29:11

Wendy Maples

Actor (Stage Directions)

Wendy is thrilled to be on stage with The Roustabouts! Stage credits include Dance Nation and the world premiere of Orange Julius (MOXIE Theatre) PIPPIN, Fair Use (Diversionary Theatre), Dog Sees God (InnerMission Productions), and this summer, she’ll be in Steel Magnolias with Backyard Renaissance. Additionally, Wendy has directed & performed with New Village Arts, Playwrights Project, InnerMission Productions and the Theatre Arts School of San Diego. Her original writing has been featured in La Jolla Playhouse's WithOut Walls (WOW) Festival, and in Palabras del Cielo, to be published later this year by Dramatic Publishing. Wendy is a founding teacher at High Tech Middle Chula Vista. Thank you to Phil for pulling me into this one. Also, Wendy hates writing bios.

Creative

Christopher Durang

Playwright

Christopher is an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy. His work was especially popular in the 1980s, though his career seemed to get a second wind in the late 1990s. Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You was Durang's watershed play as it brought him to national prominence when it won him—at the age of 32—the Obie Award for Best Playwright (1980). His play, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the Tony Award for Best Play in 2013. He is co-director of the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at Juilliard.