Rival Scrooges take aim at Fairfield County stages

Next weekend, Fairfield County will see two very different productions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”

Tom Simonetti, founder of the Valley Shakespeare Festival, will play 25 different characters in a “A Christmas Carol” at St. Peter’s Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. The production will take place on Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.; tickets are available online.

“It is difficult playing all these characters because you are always looking at you physicality and being sure you are telling a clear story,” said Simonetti. “Luckily, I’ve been doing this for multiple years.”

In Fairfield, Sacred Heart University’s Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts will offer its version of “A Christmas Carol” starring John Ratzenberger of “Cheers” fame as Ebenezer Scrooge. The production’s ticket sales will be funneled toward the university’s theater program.

“I’m happy to be reunited with the amazing SHU student-performers and talented crew,” said Ratzenberger, a Sacred Heart University alum. “We had a great time last year, and I’m looking forward to making more memories this year.”

Tickets are available on the Edgerton Center website.