A Whynot Christmas Carol

From Obie-winning playwright Craig Lucas and Tony Award winner and A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon comes a joyous and puckishly funny adaptation of Charles Dickens’s beloved classic. A small theater troupe in the town of Whynot has gathered to put up their director’s new version of A Christmas Carol. From the first rehearsal to opening night, we follow these sometimes-reluctant comrades on their quest to put on a great show with too little time and money but no shortage of opinions. An ingenious set and costume design by Tony Award winner David Zinn (A.C.T.’s The Wizard of Oz) transports us behind the curtain as our ragtag cast boldly tackles prop mishaps and dance blunders, collaborating against all odds in hopes of a holiday miracle: real change. With festive music, magical ghosts, an effervescent cast of kids, and ample hijinks, this fresh telling amplifies Dickens’s moving and evergreen call for true generosity all through the year.

Community Guest Performances

During select performances the cast will be joined by performers curated by Rebecca Ennals and Natalie Greene from A.C.T.'s Education and Community Programs. Huge thanks to all of our guest performers!

Wed, Dec 4, 6:30 p.m. | Urban Jazz Dance Company
Sat, Dec 7, 1 p.m. | Community Music Center Children's Chorus
Sat, Dec 7, 7 p.m. | A.C.T. Young Conservatory Cabaret Carolers
Sun, Dec 8, 6:30 p.m. | A.C.T. Young Conservatory Cabaret Carolers
Wed, Dec 11, 6:30 p.m. | SF Gay Men's Chorus
Fri, Dec 13, 7 p.m. | SF Pride Band
Sat, Dec 14, 1 p.m. | SF Pride Band
Sat, Dec 14, 7 p.m. | Alumni from A.C.T.’s Intensive Acting Programs
Sun, Dec 15, 1 p.m. | Community Music Center Children's Chorus
Wed, Dec 18, 6:30 p.m. | Feline Finesse Dance Company
Fri, Dec 20, 7 p.m. | Feline Finesse Dance Company
Sat, Dec 21, 1 p.m. (open caption) | Urban Jazz Dance Company 
Sat, Dec 21, 7 p.m. | Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus
Sun, Dec 22, 1 p.m. | Chocolate Platinum Soul Line Dancers
Sun, Dec 22, 6:30 p.m. | SF Gay Men's Chorus

Stay tuned for more groups and dates being added!

All titles, schedules, and artists are subject to change. No refunds. Tickets are for personal use and not for resale.

COVID-19 Safety Policy
American Conservatory Theater is happy to welcome you to our home. Our COVID-19 policy is in accordance with guidelines provided by the State of California and City of San Francisco. At this time this means that masking is encouraged but not required. It also means that vaccination checks are no longer required to see a performance. These policies will be updated if city guidelines change.

*Member of AEA

† Member of A.C.T.'s Young Conservatory