![\"Darrell](\"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/images\/20-1207-Darrell-and-Christopher-696x522.jpg\")
PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R) Darrell and Christopher Rodenbaugh.<\/em><\/p>\n
This year\u2019s special tenth anniversary of \u201cScrooge, the Musical\u201d will feature over 100 actors in this holiday favorite that has captivated in 80 performances over the past decade. This year for the first-time ever, NTPA will offer audiences an option to view \u201cScrooge, the Musical\u201d from the comfort and safety of their own home with a livestream high-quality video experience.<\/p>\n
Since 2011 and by the end of this year\u2019s schedule, Rodenbaugh will have taken the stage some 80 times, attended by over 10,000 patrons. Over a decade, Rodenbaugh has dedicated an estimated 2,000 rehearsal\/practice hours into this role and \u201cScrooge, the Musical\u201d productions.<\/p>\n
While theatres often have multi-year program runs, it is highly unusual to cast the same character in the same leading role. NTPA creates an annual tradition centered around this program that typically includes caroling, visits from Santa, and special \u201cGift to the Community\u201d shows where they waive ticket fees and provide gifts and treats to veterans, underprivileged, and this year, those stricken with Covid-19 economic challenges.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come back each year because I believe in Scrooge\u2019s very special message of rebirth and redemption,\u201d explains Rodenbaugh. \u201cIt teaches us that we have the opportunity to start our lives all over again and change for the better, and now, more than ever, we need this positive message of history\u2019s second greatest Christmas Story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rodenbaugh\u2019s performance was described in a Dallas Morning News review some years ago as \u201cbrilliant \u2026 robust and passionate,\u201d and the show continues to gain each year in its following with many patrons making it a \u201cChristmas Tradition\u201d to see NTPA\u2019s \u201cScrooge \u2013 The Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might think after ten years he would ease off, but each year he pushes to make it bigger and better,\u201d says the show\u2019s Director Mike Mazur. \u201cAnd while he has brought the role to life so many times, each year he re-auditions and earns his spot, then goes on to become one of the hardest working members of the cast.\u201d<\/p>\n In this year\u2019s special production, Darrell will be joined by his son Christopher Rodenbaugh as Young Scrooge who played the role from its opening season through 2016. Unable to perform in the production since 2017 due to attending an out-of-state college, Christopher is excited to reprise the role once again this year which includes a powerfully heart-breaking duet with his father.<\/p>\n \u201cDarrell continues to re-invent this character each year with such attention to detail,\u201d says Plano Children\u2019s Theatre Founder and four-time \u201cScrooge\u201d Director Sara Akers who is now NTPA\u2019s VP of Community Affairs. \u201cHe effectively brings us from hating him to celebrating with him at the end and the entire performance is a true delight!”<\/p>\n \u201cOur first year was largely as a \u2018team building\u2019 and fundraising activity for the Plano Children\u2019s Theatre (PCT) Board of Directors,\u201d explains Rodenbaugh, \u201cand it\u2019s been humbling to see it grow from a little over a dozen to over 100 actors this year and become NTPA\u2019s biggest annual box office production.\u201d<\/p>\n Since reopening in June, North Texas Performing Arts has adopted a strict protocol of mask requirements, safe social distance guidelines, and health checks. Theatre seating is limited to enable distancing between groups in compliance with the Governor\u2019s guidelines, and streaming is available to those preferring to view these performances online. Actors must wear protective masks at all times (including onstage), and no more than 30 performers at a time are permitted on a safe socially distant stage.<\/p>\n In its exciting tenth anniversary production of \u201cScrooge, the Musical,\u201d this North Texas Christmas tradition has been critically acclaimed and historically plays to sell-out crowds. The show regularly tops regional \u201cmust-see\u201d event lists for the Christmas Season. \u201cScrooge\u201d closely follows the plot of Charles Dickens\u2019 acclaimed book, \u201cA Christmas Carol.\u201d The movie adaptation received four Academy Award nominations and five Golden Globe nominations. \u201cScrooge\u201d was written by award-winning songwriter Leslie Bricusse, creator of the musical versions of \u201cJekyll & Hyde\u201d and \u201cWilly Wonka.\u201d<\/p>\n This year\u2019s production is directed by award-winning and off-Broadway and international performer Mike Mazur, with support from the show\u2019s Music and Children\u2019s Director, NTPA Resident Director Kaitlyn Wright, and Choreographer, award-winning NTPA Resident Director Hannah Makepeace.<\/p>\n \u201cScrooge, the Musical\u201d is sponsored in part by the City of Plano and Transamerica.<\/p>\n NTPA\u2019s Scrooge will offer 14 performances between December 9-20, with two \u201cGift to the Community\u201d performances December 9 and 16 in the Rodenbaugh Theatre at Willow Bend Center of the Arts in The Shops at Willow Bend Mall at 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093.<\/p>\n![\"Darrell](\"https:\/\/www.send2press.com\/wire\/images\/20-1207-Darrell-Rodenbaugh-696x522.jpg\")
PHOTO CAPTION: Darrell Rodenbaugh as “Scrooge.”<\/em><\/p>\n