The opera world has its famous Three Tenors.
Not to be outdone, the Wasatch Front has the Five Scrooges, although these numbers fluctuate from season to season.The funniest one of the group - "A Christmas Carol Part II, or A Dickens of a Christmas" - has already opened at the Off Broadway Theatre. But four more Ebenezers are queuing up this week at theaters in Orem, South Salt Lake, Ogden and Perry.
- HALE CENTER THEATER - Richard G. Wilkins will again direct - and star - in the HCT's South Salt Lake edition of Charles Dickens' beloved "A Christmas Carol."
Wilkins, despite his workload at Brigham Young University and traveling nightly around Point of the Mountain, has not missed a performance in well over 400 sold-out shows at the Hale Theater.
Wilkins is dedicated to faithfully retelling the dramatic story of Ebenezer Scrooge's change of heart, and he has built an equally dedicated patronage.
Except for Scrooge, all roles in the production are double-cast. Among the other major performers are Bryan Jacobs and Bruce Bredeson as Jacob Marley, Tom Stam (another 10-season veteran) and Gary Wilde as Christmas Present; Nathaniel Gee and Adam Dietlein as Christmas Past; Jim Thorderson and Ron Jewett as Bob Cratchit, Jeni Carver and Melany Wilkins (Richard's wife and assistant director) as Mrs. Cratchit, and Rex Wilkins (the Wilkins' youngest child . . . in training for the role since birth) and Matthew Call as Tiny Tim.
Also assisting with the production are Tammy Eves as musical director, Marilyn Montgomery as choreographer and Scott Mich-el-sen as costume designer, with scenery by Bryan Jacobs.
Performances will be Mondays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. from Nov. 24 through Dec. 23, with matinees at 3:30 p.m on Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23; at noon on Dec. 16 and 23, and at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23.
Tickets range from $9 to $12. All seats are reserved. The engagement is already more than half sold-out. For reservations, call 484-9257.
- HCT/OREM - The Hales' sister theater in Utah County is mounting its sixth annual production of "A Christmas Carol," with William Bisson and Chris H. Brower alternating in the role. It will run Mondays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 23, with Saturday matinees at 3:30 p.m. during December.
Merrill Dodge is directing.
Other performers include Doug Shattuck and Cody Hale as Bob Cratchit, with David Hanson and Cory Sackett as Jacob Marley.
For reservations, call 226-8600.
- TERRACE PLAZA PLAYHOUSE - With a cast of more than 80 singers, actors and dancers from throughout the Ogden area, the Terrace Plaza Playhouse is mounting a newly adapted script by the theater's artistic director, Beverly Olsen of Fruit Heights, with original music by Kathy Skidmore of Layton.
The cast includes Kim Florence as Scrooge, Hugh Hansen as Jacob Marley, Bill Turner as Bob Cratchit, Kelly Sanford as Mrs. Cratchit and Chad Saunders as Tiny Tim.
Performances will be Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24-Dec. 23. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under or $23.50 for a family pass (good for parents and immediate family members).
For reservations, call 393-0070. The theater is located at 99 E. 4700 South (Washington Terrace).
- THE HERITAGE THEATRE - William E. Hall has the title role in "Scrooge: The Stingiest Man in Town," a musical adaptation from the 1950s.
Directed by Richard Dabel, the cast includes several families from Box Elder County and the surrounding area.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 24-Dec. 16, with one matinee at 2 p.m. on dec. 2. tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for senior citizens and youths. For reservations, call 723-8392. The theater is located at 2505 S. Highway 89 in Perry, between Ogden and Brigham City. For reservations, call 723-8392.