Caroling by Gaslight
Written and Directed by Skyler Goff
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A NOTE FROM SKYLER GOFF, DIRECTOR AND PLAYWRIGHT OF CAROLING BY GASLIGHT
2021 was the year I lifted my eyes to the heavens and screamed, "I hate Christmas!"
Never, ever, in my 34 years have I ever uttered those words and yet, after all the political nonsense, global pandemics, discontent with my online liquidation business, and my official depression diagnosis, I don't know why I was surprised. But I was. And not just surprised, but incredibly sad.
I love A Christmas Carol. I LOVE it. It is a story that has always resonated with me and given me hope when I felt at my lowest. But while A Christmas Carol is arguably his most recognized work, Charles Dickens wrote other novels that capture the reality of his London. Stories like Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and Little Dorrit are full of some of the most vile, repugnant, and sadistic characters put on paper. (I would gladly take One Hundred Ebenezer Scrooges over one Bill Sikes or Uriah Heep any day of the week.) The city of London was brimming with child labor, short life expectancy, and devastating poverty. Not to mention the workhouses, where the food and quarters were intentionally made miserable so as not to encourage people to take a handout. Some things never change.
In the end, I wrote this play for three reasons. The first was to provide The Magnetic with a Holiday Show worthy of the slot and the company. The second was for my lovely bride, Ashleigh. She hates A Christmas Carol as much as I love it and I have always promised her I would direct a version she would enjoy. (In case you were wondering what her tastes are... here you go.) The third reason was because I wanted to. Needed to. I didn't realize how much anger, hatred, fear, and doubt had built up inside of me until I put it all on the page. The end result is a play that I hope makes people laugh, discourages deep thought, and simply gives us permission to shake off the absolute nightmare of the last few years. But make no mistake, without this amazing group of trusting and talented people bringing their enthusiastic consent to every rehearsal, this play simply wouldn't work.
This play is for them; for the cast and crew who not only said 'yes', but 'Fuck Yes'. Without their passion and curiosity, my depression would have won and I would retire as a miser for the rest of my days. God bless them. Every One.
P.S. To the very kind Mickey Poandl, who wrote a glowing review for SPANKO! A Tex-Mex Commedia Musical, (my Fringe piece about a serial spanker) from 2020 where he said 'You don’t have to be Freud to make certain assumptions about the creators’ predilections' ... What would Sigmund have to say about this one?
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Skyler Goff is a published author, educator, online merchant, and actor. He has performed for and worked with children in schools all over the country, specializing in programs involving horror, escape room building, and zombie survival. He would like to give special thanks to his wonderful family. Without their constant support, open minds, and flair for the dramatic, this show would never have existed. He also wants to thank his partner in crime and passion, Ashleigh Goff, who accepts him at his best and his worst and, more importantly, makes him laugh on a daily basis.
Take a look at the Caroling by Gaslight trailer!
See what audiences had to say about Caroling by Gaslight!
Take a look at the outtake version of the Caroling by Gaslight trailer!
ABOUT THE CAST
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Ashleigh Goff (Mistress Bates/Woman 2)
Ashleigh has been doing theater in one way, shape, or form for over 20 years. She's acted, designed, crewed, stage managed, directed, and taught. Most recently, she directed Starbright on The Magnetic stage, and she was last seen on-stage as Colombia in 'Spanko: A Tex-Mex Commedia Musical' way WAY back. Most notably, Ashleigh is the Founding Artistic Director of The Moppets, an all youth Shakespeare theater company, which she is extremely proud of and highly recommends you see their family friendly production of A Christmas Carol. A big thank you to her husband Skyler, for always being himself and sharing this insanely wonderful project with her, which may have finally gotten her to enjoy A Christmas Carol...... maybe.
Lilly Mills (Chastity)
Lilly is incredibly excited to make her debut on the Magnetic stage with this wild show. Recently she has played Maid Marian in Parkway's production of Sherwood and Squeaky Fromme in HART's production of Assassins. She moved back to Asheville in February after getting her Bachelor of Arts in English and Theatre at William Peace University. She is trained in Intimacy Direction through IDC (formerly IDI) and is super fortunate to have been able to bring that skillset to eight different productions this year including Beautiful Cages and The Frankenstein Rubrics here at The Magnetic!
Jenni Robinson (Ms. Stilburn/Tamara/Prudence)
Jenni is happy to be back on the Magnetic stage where she is always cast as characters that use large amounts of profanity. Demure and shy by nature, she last cursed it out here as Rhonda in The Caro Savanti Experience and as Aspen in Brief Encounters. No stranger to squirting audiences with fluids, you might have been splashed during her performance as the Nurse in Anam Cara’s Titus or from her enthusiastic o face as Ms. Saunders/Betty in Cloud 9. She thanks her writer Skylar for making A Christmas Carol dirty again like good ol’ Dick(ens) intended.
Strother Stingley (Master Bates/Man 1)
Strother has been performing professionally for 16 years, in roles ranging from comedian to villain, Scottish middle-aged man to Southern octogenarian to deranged dentist and so on. He's performed locally and has toured the US Northeast and Midwest. Musicals, comedies, straight plays, improv... whatever the genre, he finds fulfillment in it. He holds a bachelor's in theatre from FSU and has learned a great deal more on various stages (and a few screens).
Molly Graves (Mrs. Dornell/Dorcus)
Molly is thrilled to be back on stage at The Magnetic, following a summer of fun with Midsummer for Haters and Obstructure. She has also previously worked with Anam Cara Theatre Company, Nemesis Theater Company, Different Strokes! PAC, and Montford Park Players.
Adam Olson (Mr.Dornell/Billy/Dobbs/Ol' Joe)
Adam Olson is an Asheville native and graduate of UNCG for dramatic arts. He's been working on some personal projects that he hopes to reveal soon! In the meanwhile, he's happy to be doing another show at The Magnetic, where he previously performed in In the Assassin's Garden, Algorithm and Blues, Beautiful Cages, and the 2022 One Act Play Festival.
Jered Shults (Bob)
Jered is always excited to return the wonderful Magnetic Theatre. Jered has been acting in WNC since 2015. He has appeared on many stages through out the area, including Parkway Playhouse, Anam Cara, and the Montford Park Players. Some of Jered’s favorite roles have been Robin Hood in The Legend of Sherwood, Ken in Red, Protagonist in Nocturne, and Roger in In a Clearing. Jered would like to thank his friends and family and you the audience for attending this wild show. God help us, every one.
Emily Tucker (Ms. Treadaboards/Susie/Lucy/Woman 3)
Emily has been working in Asheville’s theatre community for almost ten years; highlights include Titania in Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players), Jane Bingley in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Multiverse Theatre Collective), Algorithm & Blues (The Magnetic Theatre), Dr. Gutierrez in Court of the Grandchildren (The Magnetic Theatre), Celia in As You Like It (Montford Park Players), Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing (Montford Park Players) and Evelyn in Beautiful Cages (The Magnetic Theatre) She is excited to spend the holiday season working with the Magnetic and this amazing cast and crew, and can't think of a better way to cap off her year in the theatre.
Rachel McCrain (Fred/Susie)
Rachel is an Asheville native. Recent local credits include Goodnight, Troublemaker and My Crazy, My Love with Sublime Theatre; Fall of a Sparrow, Stupid Fucking Bird, Krapp's Last Tape, and Zoo Story with Mountain Art Theatre; Government Inspector, Cloud Nine, and God of Hell with Anam Cara; Titus Andronicus, Taming of the Shrew, and A Christmas Carol with Montford Park Players.
Jason A. Phillips (Scrooge)
Jason is excited to be back on the Magnetic stage. Earlier this year he co-wrote and directed Algorithm & Blues: A Dating Sketch Show at Magnetic. He most recently appeared in Sherwood and Working: The Musical at Parkway Playhouse. Asheville credits include: something i cared about, 16 Years Tried, Special Needs and The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged). Chicago credits include: Brave Potatoes, The Rescuers and Scenes of Romance. He is consistently grateful for his supportive and talented family, Cullen and Daphodil.
Kai Strange (Little Dickens/Topper/The Gimp)
Kai is delighted to be spending his first season with The Magnetic Theatre. He first was in No More Waiting, and also appeared in this year's One Act Festival. Besides The Magnetic, Kai has worked mainly with the Montford Park Players. Some of his favorite roles include, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, The Little Prince in The Little Prince, and King Louis in The Three Musketeers. Kai is so excited to be working with this fantastic cast, and incredible Playwright and Director, Skyler Goff. Now without further ado, please enjoy this wonderfully weird show!
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director…………………………..…………………..Skyler Goff
Stage Manager………………..………………Jess Johnson
Set Designer & Builder…………………Tyler Johnson
Scenic Designer & Painter………….Jess Johnson
Scenic Painter……………………….……..…Jess Johnson & Erinn Hartley
Sound Designer………………………………Skyler Goff
Lighting Designer…………………………Abby Auman
Props Designer………………………………..Skyler Goff
Costume Designer…………………………Ashleigh Goff
Dramaturgy………………….…………………..Ashleigh Goff
Intimacy Choreographer..………….Laura Rikard
Fight Choreographer……………………Strother Stingley
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION TEAM
ABBY AUMAN (Lighting Designer) - Abby is the Technical Director of The Magnetic Theatre. She also works as a lighting designer in theaters all over WNC.
ASHLEIGH GOFF (Costume Designer/Dramaturgy) - Ashleigh has been doing theater in one way, shape, or form for over 20 years. She's acted, designed, crewed, stage managed, directed, and taught. Most recently, she directed Starbright on The Magnetic stage and was last seen on-stage as Colombia in 'Spanko: A Tex-Mex Commedia' way WAY back. Most notably, Ashleigh is the Founding Artistic Director of The Moppets, an all youth Shakespeare theater company, which she is extremely proud of and highly recommends you see their family friendly production of A Christmas Carol. A big thank you to her husband Skyler, for always being himself and sharing this insanely wonderful project with her, which may have finally gotten her to enjoy A Christmas Carol...... maybe.
SKYLER GOFF (Director/Sound Designer/Props Designer) - Skyler Goff is a published author, educator, online merchant, and actor. He has performed for and worked with children in schools all over the country, specializing in programs involving horror, escape room building, and zombie survival. He would like to give special thanks to his wonderful family. Without their constant support, open minds, and flair for the dramatic, this show would never have existed. He also wants to thank his partner in crime and passion, Ashleigh Goff, who accepts him at his best and his worst and, more importantly, makes him laugh on a daily basis.
ERINN HARTLEY (Scenic Painter) - Erinn is the Executive Artistic Director and Founder of Anam Cara Theatre Company, the Artistic Director of the Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, and the Education Director at LEAF Global Arts. Additionally, since moving to Asheville in 2008, Erinn has worked as a freelance designer, director, scenic artist, actor, and educator in companies that include NC Stage, Attic Salt Theatre Company, Asheville Community Theatre, and Brightstar Touring Theatre. Prior to Asheville she lived and worked in the Twin Cities and Ohio.
JESS JOHNSON (Stage Manager/Scenic Painter) - Jess has worked in theatre since the early 2000s, primarily as a stage manager, but also as a director, props and scenic designer, and dramaturg. In addition to her behind the scenes theatre work, she has a background in nonprofit development, works for the nonprofit software company Neon One, and currently serves as the Co-Artistic Director for The Magnetic Theatre.
TYLER JOHNSON (Set Designer & Builder) - Tyler is a woodworker and furniture designer who moonlights as a set designer. When not figuring out ways to transform spaces, he’s busy taking big pieces of wood, turning them into smaller pieces of wood, then sometimes turning them back into big pieces of wood. You can see some of his work on Instagram at @tothebonewoodworking.
LAURA RIKARD (Intimacy Choreographer) - Laura Rikard, MFA, MA (SAG-AFTRA/AEA/SDC) is an intimacy choreographer and coordinator, director, actor and professor. She is Co-Founder and Head Faculty of Theatre Intimacy Education. Laura choreographs, consults, and teaches workshops on best practices for staging intimacy for professional and educational theatre and film across the country. She serves as the primary Intimacy Choreographer for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She is served as Intimacy Coordinator in film and television. Intimacy Coordinator credits film credits include: Mother’s Instinct (Jessica Chastain & Anne Hathaway), Anything’s Possible, Interview With A Vampire, Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches, Appendage, and Harlem. Intimacy Choreographer credits include: West Side Story (Flat Rock Playhouse), Guess Who Is Coming To Dinner (Flat Rock Playhouse), Skeleton Crew (Bristol Riverside Theatre), among others. She is a contributor to the first book on theatre intimacy, Staging Sex: Best Practices, Tools and Techniques for Theatrical Intimacy by Chelsea Pace. As a director and actor, she has worked in film and television, NYC, regionally, on national tours, internationally and devised solo productions. She is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of South Carolina Upstate. She is a recipient of the Best Acting award at the Virginia Film and has been named by Academic Keys as a "Who's Who in Fine Arts Education" Festival. She has served on faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University, Brown University, and the University of Miami. She received her MA in Acting from Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, MFA in Drama from the University of Virginia and her BA in Theatre from the College of Charleston. She is the mom of four-year-old twins. She is based in Asheville, NC.
STROTHER STINGLEY (Fight Choreographer) - Strother has been performing professionally for 16 years, in roles ranging from comedian to villain, Scottish middle-aged man to Southern octogenarian to deranged dentist and so on. He's performed locally and has toured the US Northeast and Midwest. Musicals, comedies, straight plays, improv... whatever the genre, he finds fulfillment in it. He holds a bachelor's in theatre from FSU and has learned a great deal more on various stages (and a few screens).
GALLERY
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PHOTOS by JENNIFER BENNETT / JENBENMEDIA
www.jenbenmedia.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO…
Missy Bell
Eli Hamilton (check out their work here)
Little Jumbo (check out their Caroling by Gaslight specialty cocktails during the run of the show)
THE MAGNETIC THEATRE STAFF
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…….……JESSICA JOHNSON
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR…………..KATIE JONES
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR………….…ABBY AUMAN
BOX OFFICE MANAGER……………TIPPIN
MARKETING MANAGER……………CHEYENNE DANCY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE AWAD
CAMERON CARSWELL
ELIZA HEATH
ERIN MCCARSON
JASON PHILLIPS
MAX REID
JOSH SULLIVAN
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Aaron and Gus Ballard