Not even a pandemic can keep the talented community of NewArts supporters, actors, technicians, and supporters down.

Hot on the heels of the company’s well-received virtual summer production of Peter Pan, NewArts Artistic Director Michael Unger has called in a pack of professional actors and technicians to work with two separate local casts to bring a decidedly different presentation of A Christmas Carol to screens this holiday season.

Because of the pandemic, A Christmas Carol — which was fully staged by NewArts in 2016 and 2017 — will be entirely virtual this year, with each performer being recorded in their own home. Owing to the complex integration of actors, music, and effects, it was decided to pre-record and produce the production with each cast, and make both available for unlimited streaming during the viewing period.

“People can watch either or both at any time, and as many times as they like,” Unger said. The director believes this virtual opportunity is unique because viewers will see the actors’ subtle expressions rather than the wide-view perspective from a seat in a theater.

“What’s really exciting is you’ll really get a chance to see these actors working up close,” Unger said. “And because we are doing this as a benefit for our nonprofit NewArts organization, we’re able to afford to bring in an amazing group of professionals to work side-by-side with our local kids.”

This latest production taps the skills of a number of Broadway-caliber thespians Unger cast and directed during the 16 years he presented A Christmas Carol at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, N.J., before transplanting that production to Connecticut, where it was staged at Bethel’s Walnut Hill Community Church.

Among the professional leads are Graeme Malcolm, reprising his role as Ebenezer Scrooge, John Ahlin (Mr Fezziwig/Old Joe/Mr Stocks), Michele Tauber (Mrs Fezziwig/Laundress/Mrs Stocks), Janet Metz (Mrs Cratchit/Mrs Bonds), Price Waldman (Mr Cratchit), Annie O’Sullivan (Mrs Dilber), and Jimmy Ludwig (Nephew Fred/Undertaker). Only the role of Old Marley/Mr Bonds has yet to be cast.

Unger told The Newtown Bee that he has created two young counterpart casts.

The “Mistletoe Cast” features Alaina Inzero, Maggie Murphy, Gracelyn Mecca, Ethan Kravec, Matiya Kouassi, Sophia Dossantos, Alaina Inzero, Ava Baroody, Celia Plaue, George Mecca, Benjamin Wismar-Berger, and Marina Kolitsas.

The “Holly Cast” features Phoebe Swedrock, Camryn Story, Violet Hughes, Bennett Quinn, Hayden Hughes, Riley Quinn, Sara Heinen, Meghan Bailey, Alex Gilson, Finn Swedrock, and Rebecca Spalvieri.

Jimmy Hunter, Mark Sadowski, Sabrina Spraggins, and Nicole Kolitsas are included in both productions.

Honoring Mary Socci

The production is being presented to honor the memory of Mary Socci. The 14-year-old, a NewArts bright star, died in November after a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Her father, Lewis, shared his memories of Mary’s experiences.

“New Arts and ARC are loved by everyone in the Socci family. All three Socci girls — Susan, Mary, and Jennifer — came to NewArts in their own time at their own pace,” he said.

“One thing that was clearly evident about their participation was that each child grew in an exponential way. But Mary, my middle child, quickly and quietly became the embodiment of the values taught by the foundation. She stood out. Her power pose and power statement were clearly present in her daily life,” her dad related.

“Her concern for the greater good and desire to elevate those around her was heartfelt and visible. You see Mary got it. [It was] Dr Baroody’s vision, and now it was her vision too,” he added, referring to Dr Michael Baroody, who founded the nonprofit shortly after 12/14.

“It governed her life. Mary defined Mary. She knew her passions and pushed out her comfort zone. The grit she would show in her life was epic. In Mary’s last show [Newsies], I wrote her a note [that] read: ‘Mary, You are my hero. I love you so much! Rise above, Go Beyond. It is what you do. Love, Dad.’”

Proceeds from the benefit performance will support future NewArts productions.

Baroody is the executive producer of this production; Maryrose Kristopik, longtime music teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School, is music director; Cheryl Mintz, who stage managed the McCarter production, is associate director; and Alison Cote is the stage manager.

NewArts is the theatrical division of the 12.14 Foundation, and normally collaborates with teams of nearly 20 theater professionals, including Broadway-level directors, performers, choreographers, music directors, designers, producers, and technicians, to guide local children in artistic endeavors celebrating collaboration, creativity and community.

To date, NewArts has presented 12 large-scale musicals involving more than 600 local youth onstage, backstage, and in the orchestra. The organization’s production of A ROCKIN’ Midsummer Night’s Dream was featured in the award-winning documentary film Midsummer in Newtown, which was selected for the prestigious Spotlight Section of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Character Development

NewArts also provides character development through its ARC program — an effective model for teaching children life skills developed in collaboration with members of the Yale School of Management, the University of Pennsylvania’s School for Applied Positive Psychology, and InspireCorps. The program provides opportunities for children to understand their experiences during the rehearsal and performance process and then translate those skills to everyday life.

“The foundation’s vision was born from a need to not only heal, but to enrich and strengthen the lives of those affected by the events of 12/14,” Baroody said in a release. “We instill life skills through an innovative combination of character development and high-level performing arts projects. We continue to provide our children, our community, and eventually people throughout the world with powerful tools upon which to build successful lives.”

Unger has directed each musical for NewArts. He is also the artistic director of Milwaukee’s Skylight Music Theatre.

At Off-Broadway’s York Theatre Company, where he was associate artistic director and director of education, he directed Big, Milk and Honey, and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. He first became acquainted with Newtown when he directed the concert “From Broadway With Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook.”

Streaming performances will be available for unlimited viewing from Wednesday, December 23, at 7 pm, through Sunday, December 27, at 7 pm. These performances are offered free of charge, but there is a suggested donation of $15 for individuals and $30 for families.

For additional information or to make a donation, visit newarts.org.