Bricolage’s Midnight Radio Series brings Local Icons to Life with Yinzer Scrooged: A Pittsburgh Christmas Carol
Yinzer Scrooged runs December 5 -21 2019
PITTSBURGH— For eleven years, Bricolage’s Midnight Radio has delighted audiences with Foley sound effects, commercial spoofs, and a dizzying array of vocal acrobatics all done in the series’ signature 1940’s radio format. This December, Bricolage is bringing back the fan-favorite holiday tale, Yinzer Scrooged. Set in present-day Pittsburgh, this comedy is an uproarious parody of Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol. Dickens’ classic characters, from the notorious curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge, to the mischievous Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, are not so subtly re-imagined as local Pittsburgh legends and celebrities.
Back by popular demand,Yinzer Scrooged played to sold out houses after it debuted on Bricolage’s downtown stage in 2015. Adapted by the company’s Principal Creative & Co-Founder, Tami Dixon, this year’s production will feature an updated script and several brand-new cast members including Shammen McCune and Jaime Slavinsky, alongside Midnight Radio veteran Wali Jamal as Scrooge. Reprising their roles from the 2015 production are Michael McBurney as Fred Rogers, and Connor McCanlus as Tiny Tony. Also returning is seasoned director Sam Turich, a long-time Bricolage collaborator and current Head of Education.
Ms. Dixon’s script brings a multitude of Pittsburgh icons to life including 19th-century Industrialist, Andrew Carnegie as Scrooge’s ghostly business partner, Jacob Marley; beloved television personality, Fred Rogers as the Ghost of Christmas Past; and renowned entertainer Lena Horne as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Sprinkled with cheeky commercial parodies and oddly inventive Foley sound effects, Yinzer Scrooged promises to deliver up holiday cheer, nostalgia, and a cross-generational experience everyone will enjoy.
“I love writing for Pittsburgh audiences and Dickens’ classic holiday tale is the perfect vehicle to channel the hilarious, heartfelt and honest spirit of this indomitable city,” says Dixon. “Regardless of how much you know about Pittsburgh this story will have you wanting to be our neighbor, longing for pierogies, and rooting for the local jag who almost ruins Christmas for Tiny Tony.”
Yinzer Scrooged runs December 5-21 at Bricolage Production Company, 937 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA. The doors open 30 minutes before the show for “Happy Half-hour” with free beer, wine, and holiday games. Tickets are $35 with discounted rates for students available. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at ww.BricolagePGH.org or by calling 412.471.0999.
Special Events:
Pay What You Want on Opening Night! • December 5 • Thursday • 7:30 PM
To celebrate the opening of Yinzer Scrooged, Bricolage is pleased to offer tickets to this performance at any price. Reserve in advance for as little as five dollars, or line up at the theater at 7:30pm for one of more than 30 first-come-first-served tickets guaranteed to be available at the door and pay any price you want!
Pictures with Santa • December 6 • Friday • 7:15 PM
Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance! Come early and bring the kids for free photos and interactive games.
DIY Night: Handmade Ornaments • December 12 • 7:15 PM
Get crafty and make beautiful custom holiday ornaments with us. Supplies are included, just bring your creativity and holiday spirit!
Foley & Sensory Workshop • December 20 • Friday • 6:45 PM
Bricolage’s sensory-friendly Foley Workshop gives patrons a chance to experience the Foley (sound effect) equipment hands-on! Participants will learn to recreate environmental soundscapes and try their hand at ghastly chain-rattling and holiday street scenes as they play with all the equipment the Bricolage team uses to bring the story to life through sound. The cast of Yinzer Scrooged will be on hand to demonstrate and guide participants through the process. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the workshop begins at 6:45 PM. This workshop is free and open to all patrons. No ticket needed. The performance following the Foley workshop on December 20th will feature audio description.
Accessibility
Accessible, free or low-cost tickets are available to the Thursday, December 5 performance of Midnight Radio’s Yinzer Scrooged. Bricolage’s theater at 937 Liberty Avenue is designed for wheelchair access, featuring accessible all-gender restrooms and wheelchair seating. Bricolage offers a menu of supports including reserved seating for guests and their companions, mobility aids, comfort items for guests with sensory sensitivities, and more; making requests in the comments section while purchasing tickets helps ensure the support you need is available at your performance. Bricolage is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and welcoming to all. We encourage you to identify anything that would make your experience more enjoyable by leaving a comment when purchasing tickets, calling our office at 412.471.0999, or emailing Fred at fred@bricolagepgh.org.
Free for All Tickets were released for this production on Monday, October 28 at 2:00 PM, and have been claimed. More information about Bricolage’s accessible free ticket program, Theater for All can be found on Bricolage’s website.