PORT TOWNSEND — “Spirit of the Yule,” a Key City Public Theatre production which sets the world of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in Port Townsend, will be performed at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.
The 7 p.m. performance will include a holiday party at the theater, 419 Washington St., Port Townsend.
The show, which opened Nov. 30, will close for the weekend and continue its run the following week. Wednesday’s performance is sold out according to the theater’s website but tickets are available at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 30 and at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.
Two of the performances — the 2:30 pm. show Thursday and the New Year’s Eve performance, were added because of the popularity of the show, which has sold out most of its performances since it opened Nov. 30, organizers said.
Tickets are available online at www.keycitypublictheatre.org or at the KCPT box office from 1 p.m to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or by calling the box office at 360- 385-5278 (KCPT).
New take on tale
“Spirit of the Yule,” a new take on Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” is set in Port Townsend when the lumber boom town was awaiting the railroad connection that would make it the preeminent port city in the Pacific Northwest.
“The musical is steeped in the history and cultural legacy that defined Port Townsend as ‘the city of dreams,’ ” organizers said.
“Spirit of the Yule” was written by Denise Winter and Linda Dowdell. It is directed by Winter, KCPT’s artistic director. Dowdell composed the music and lyrics.
Dowdell and Winter delved into the archives of the Jefferson County Historical Society to find details about the 25 years when the Northern Pacific Railroad was due to connect Port Townsend to Tacoma.
While the railroad never made it to town, the remnants of that time remain recognizable in the names etched on such landmarks as the Rothschild House, Chetzemoka Park and the Delmonico Hotel, whose sign still hangs at 832 Water St.
Angela Poynter plays Henrietta Maynard, the proprietor of the Delmonico Hotel, described as “an iconoclastic, hard nosed, twice divorced businesswoman who loves shooting, drinking and profit.”
Hewitt Brooks carries the chains as Jacob Marley, Maynard’s business partner. Blaine Lewis and Christa Holbrook return to the KCPT stage as Bob Cratchit and Maddie Mae, Maynard’s employee and his ailing child.
Leah Finch returns as the hopeful and romantic Young Henrietta.
Noah Phillips is Maynard’s nephew Fred.
Patricia Willestoft, Consuelo Aduviso and Tomoki Sage appear as ghosts that lead Maynard in a search through time and space.
“Spirit of the Yule” is sponsored by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, ArtsWA and the Port Townsend Arts Commission.
