janet yates vogt  & mark friedman

Ebenezer!

Book by William Goldsmith; Music & Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman

Start a holiday tradition at your theatre with this new musical based upon the classic Charles Dickens’s tale, “A Christmas Carol.” You’ll find all your favorite characters in this vesion: Ebenezer Scrooge, the Ghost of Jacob Marley, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim, and of course, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. You’re audience – both young and old - will enjoy this wonderful musical as Ebenezer learns the true meaning of Christmas.

Ebenezer! Photos on this page are from the Columbus Children's Theatre production with Michael Lewis Wilson as Scrooge.

Ebenezer runs one hour and ten minutes and Bill Goldsmith’s script is filled with laughs and, of course, those touching moments from the story everyone loves. Written as an ensemble piece, the dialogue moves quickly along with moments for the cast to speak in a spoken choral style that is reminiscent of “Nicholas Nickleby.”

Ebenezer was first produced at the award winning Columbus Children’s Theatre under the direction of Bill Goldsmith. Having recently played at the Forest Roberts Theatre at Northern Michigan University, the delighted audiences proved that Ebenezer! is not just a musical for young people.

Twas' the Night

Book by Joseph McDonough; Music & Lyrics by Janet Yates Vogt & Mark Friedman

 Everyone knows the famous poem “Twas the Night before  Christmas and all Through the House...”  but now hear the real story of what took place that famous night!

A faced-paced romping musical with two separate but parallel stories.  One story focuses on a single mom, Cassie, and her two young children Josh and Dana who live with their Great Aunt Bess. Spending Christmas with them this year is their bossy, bully of a cousin, Archie, who makes life miserable for the kids all behind their mom’s back. 

 Our second story takes place in the underworld of the same house between the floorboards and within the walls. Here the mice cower as their world is ruled by a feline “boss,” Nick the Fat Cat. The mice rush to fill Nick’s daily quota of milk and Christmas goodies in exchange for protection (from him), while Nick makes their holidays less than bright.  As the story progresses, Nick muses on the poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” sharing his take on it with the audience. 

 As Christmas Eve approaches and both Archie and Nick smugly rule their respective domains, the children seek the counsel of their wise old Aunt who helps teach them about the spirit of the holidays, what it means to be family, and how to creatively survive.  When Santa leaves the holiday surprises – Nick – and Archie – learn a lesson ‘bout messin’ with the true meaning of Christmas.

With music that’s upbeat, fun, and lively  --  crazy and unexpected twists, and characters that you grow to love and ones you love to hate – this holiday musical guarantees all audiences “a good night!”

Ebeneezer 2008