All-star 'Carol' is coming to town

So when Wendt enters the stage, don't everybody yell, "Norm!", OK? It's been done, it's tired, it's over. It's the theatrical equivalent of yelling, "It's in the hole!", or, "You da man!" to Tiger Woods. Don't be a d-bag, mkay? Have fun, enjoy the show.

The article written about me and my production was very fair. Of course, it's always unnerving to hear the endless recital of past deeds from decades ago but I am grateful that Dominic refrained from rehashing the incident at Nativity Grade School in 1962 where I yanked on Mary Louise Segale's pigtails. The Kodak production last year was hurt by the economic panic and the fact that the lead financier illegally diverted $200,000 to his personal account. This one-two punch forced us to rehearse a complicated show with 32 scene changes in only five days including only three hours on the Kodak stage. But audiences loved the show and gave it standing ovations each performance....and like any show in its early development it got better each time. We all look forward to working with two Academy Award-winning Best Actors, a seven-time Tony nominee, a living legend at the twilight of his fifty-year career and two beloved actors from "Seinfeld" and "Cheers".(one of my daughters just wants to meet the guy who was eaten in Jurassic Park!!!!) It's been some time, if ever, since six actors of this caliber have appeared on a Twin Cities stage together. In closing, remember its not necessarily a bad thing to try and then fail....the real tragedy is when you stop trying. Redemption is around the corner.

Kevin Von Feldt
Adaptor/Producer/Director
A Christmas Carol at the Orpheum

Getting anyone from Hollywood to show up in December will be amazing.

Overnighter wrote:

Getting anyone from Hollywood to show up in December will be amazing.

All six name actors have a clause in their contract requiring that each of them receive matching imitation South American weasel coats with a double lining of mule hair.

Scrooge is right

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Sounds like a great show with that cast.

Ebenezer wrote:

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The reason there were unpaid bills on the 2008 production was the diversion of $200,000 in investor money to the individual that brokered the deal, Michel Shane...ironically one of the producers of "Catch Me If You Can". Since these old blogs were posted Shane has been sued by the people who thought they were investing in my Xmas Carol and is also being investigated by the FBI. Percentage-wise, the Orpheum sales have surpassed the Los Angeles Kodak production already after only a few days of subscriber sales and today's public on sale. Shane and the 2008 investors are not involved with this year's production which is selling well where it has gone on sale. Christmas shows evidently don't sell in LA. In 2007, the Radio City Rockettes Xmas Show, which sells out everywhere it goes, averaged only 450 people per show at the Universal Amphitheatre, a 5000 seat theatre. White Christmas died at the Pantages but does well in all other parts of the country.

Kevin Von Feldt wrote:

The article written about me and my production was very fair.
Kevin Von Feldt
Adaptor/Producer/Director
A Christmas Carol at the Orpheum

Hey Kevin, why Rice Lake?

Both my set designer and myself live near Rice Lake and the set is here being worked on. Additionally, James Garner can not fly. By rehearsing here, it breaks up his motor home trip to our first stop in Philadelphia.

Hi I am a big Timothy Hutton fan! I want to see the show in Chicago, any word when tickets will go on sale there? and where? I have called the opera house but have not received any confirmation.

One of the things I love about living in the Twin cities --- GREAT THEATRE!!

Chick Duckens wrote:

So when Wendt enters the stage, don't everybody yell, "Norm!", OK? It's been done, it's tired, it's over. It's the theatrical equivalent of yelling, "It's in the hole!", or, "You da man!" to Tiger Woods. Don't be a d-bag, mkay? Have fun, enjoy the show.

I hear you, I understand and agree, but there's that little part of me that wants to yell out loud.... "HEY NORM!!!" But I'll be good and mumble it quietly to myself!

Diana Johnson wrote:

Hi I am a big Timothy Hutton fan! I want to see the show in Chicago, any word when tickets will go on sale there? and where? I have called the opera house but have not received any confirmation.

The tickets go on sale Friday @ 10AM through Ticketmaster and the Lyric Opera House box office. I appreciate the positive comments. A breath of fresh air and a needed boost after Dominic's rehashing of my brief retreat at the Los Angeles "House of Slamming Doors"!!! By the way, I didn't tey and build a Vikings stadium. I proposed a solution when Gov. Pawlenty invited the public to come up with ideas to solve the stadium problems. A casino located in Eagan three miles from the Mall of America would net $450M a year after paying the State $250M and deducting $300M in expenses. Not hard to build a stadium, hotels & a world-class theme park if you have $450M to work with every year. 70% of Minnesota citizens want a private casino to assist with the budget deficit and pay for special projects like a Viking's stadium without taxpayer money. A MOA area casino would draw from tourists not take away from Mystic Lake business like racino. So when Dominic states that I tried to build a stadium...it's misleading and a gross over-simplification of the true facts.

Sorry to hear Timothy Hutton will not be appearing in the show. Glad I didn't buy the tickets and then find out he wasn't in it! What about the people who bought tickets for other shows just to see Hutton or Channing?

According to the Chicago Sun Times: "Tiny" Timothy and "Caroling" Channing are out

The star-studded production of “A Christmas Carol” coming to town in December may not be so star-studded after all.

Two of the actors originally promoted Wednesday as part of the cast — Stockard Channing and Timothy Hutton — are not attached to the production, according to their manager Judy Hofflund.

“They were both offered the parts but the finances never came through,” Hofflund said.“They are not committed in any regard.”

However, press releases and ads for the production at the Civic Opera House still list the two actors, along with F. Murray Abraham, James Garner, George Wendt and Wayne Knight.

Early Wednesday afternoon, the show’s producer and director, Kevin Von Feldt, said he had authorization from Hofflund to use the names in the ads.

“We absolutely had authorization to use their names in promoting the show,” Feldt said.“I have proof of it. My lawyer and their lawyer are going to have to resolve this.”

However, later Wednesday, Von Feldt issued a statement saying:

“The producers of ‘A Christmas Carol’ regret to announce that Timothy Hutton and Stockard Channing will not be part of this year’s production. The producers remain excited about the balance of the cast including F. Murray Abraham, James Garner, Wayne Knight and George Wendt.”

Abraham and Garner are contractually committed to the tour. Representatives for Wendt and Knight did not return calls.

Von Feldt, who lives near Rice Lake, Wis., produced this version of “A Christmas Carol” last winter at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre. It was marred by financial difficulties, losing $500,000. Some involved in the production complained they were not paid for their work.

Von Feldt has booked the Civic Opera House Dec. 22-27.

“We are very comfortable with the situation so far,” said Rich Regan, director of facilities at the Opera House.

“A Christmas Carol” is also scheduled to play in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore.

http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/stage/1...

Diana I think that since these stars were named in the advertising that people should be offered a refund. I'd rather watch Jim Carey in the Disney movie anyway!

Ted Evensen wrote:

Diana I think that since these stars were named in the advertising that people should be offered a refund. I'd rather watch Jim Carey in the Disney movie anyway!

I agree that anyone who bought tickets solely to see Timothy Hutton and Stockard Channing should receive refunds and I've asked the Orpheum to do so. I'm anxious to see Carey's version also. James Garner, F. Murray Abraham, George Wendt and Wayne Knight is still a great cast and the tickets are affordable.

One more comment - how come they are still selling tickets in the other cities promoting Hutton and Channing? Baltimore and Minn. to name a couple Isn't that false advertising? Why has no one told them to change their webites and ads? I e-maied Baltimore location yesterdayand they were very interresting to read an article from Chicago Sun Times knew nothing about it.

Diana Johnson wrote:

One more comment - how come they are still selling tickets in the other cities promoting Hutton and Channing? Baltimore and Minn. to name a couple Isn't that false advertising? Why has no one told them to change their webites and ads? I e-maied Baltimore location yesterdayand they were very interresting to read an article from Chicago Sun Times knew nothing about it.

All theatres were notified of the change. Most theatre web pages have been updated. For some reason, Ticketmaster is slower. The ad that ran today in the Chicago Tribune did not contain Hutton or Channing's name even though it had been submitted before the Wed deadline and before the two actors dropped out.