Two holiday classics to celebrate the season, An Actor’s Carol and Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, an Interactive Holiday Ball!
November 19, 2025 (Oklahoma City, OK) - Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park (OSP) begins a season of holiday merriment with An Actor’s Carol, November 28th & 29th, and Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, an Interactive Holiday Ball! running December 4th – 21st at the Indoor Theatre in the Historic Paseo Arts District.
An Actor’s Carol: One clown’s Dickensian Marathon Toward Redemption is a unique and transformative adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol, performed by David Weber. The one-man show, adapted for the stage by David Weber, Tim Blewitt, and Zach Hilbun, pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling by incorporating elements of vaudeville, clown, and mime. The kinetic performance, punctuated by moments of clarity and hilarity from our Clown’s backstory, promotes an athletic-paced experience that offers a fresh twist to the timeless and redemptive tale.
Staged in our intimate Black Box Theatre (freshly decorated for the holidays!) audience members will be amongst a limited number of friends who will enjoy unique up-close-and-personal insight into this holiday classic, told from a unique perspective.
“I believe a good clown reveals something very honest about themselves, and this show is about the power of that honesty. It is also about redemption, restoration of the spirit, and the healing power of amends,” says David Weber.
Following on the heels of this classic comes another holiday tradition – Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, an Interactive Holiday Ball! written by local playwright, Erin Woods, and performed for the 8th time in Oklahoma City.
“We are so excited to be celebrating the holidays with two beloved classics! Oklahoma Shakespeare is proud to offer a unique and personal way to engage with these characters and are thrilled to keep the lamp lit for classical theatre in Oklahoma for another year. As a special treat, Jane Austen turns 250 on Dec. 16th, and it feels like we’re throwing her a party!” – Tyler Woods, Exec. Artistic Director
Join Jane Austen and her sister, Cassandra, as they host a ball in their family home in the year 1800. The theatre transforms into a holiday celebration – complete with festive décor and holiday treats. Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store returns as the sponsor, providing audience members with ice cream and their very own Christmas Cracker! Enjoy beautiful lobby décor, holiday treats, and photo opportunities with cast members as part of this wonderful holiday tradition.
The story continues as characters from her novels arrive to the ball including Pride & Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet, & Lydia Bennet, Sense & Sensibility’s Elinor Dashwood, Marianne Dashwood, Edward Ferrers, & Col. Brandon, and Persuasion’s Capt. Wentworth, and Anne Elliot. These famous personalities engage with one another in new and creative scenes, revealing along the way the enchanting and treasured love stories from Ms. Austen’s novels. Audience members are invited to dance, sing, and play period parlor games amongst an atmosphere of holiday cheer and merriment!
“Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker is perfect for friends and families! A unique holiday romp for everyone. Romance, dancing, ice cream, caroling … we’ve packed so much merriment into one 2-hour memory-making event, you’ll want to come back every year!” – Erin Woods, Director & Playwright
As a special treat this year, Paseo Grill will host “Brunch with Jane Austen” as a unique add-on experience to the Sunday, December 14th matinee performance. Menu includes high tea, Brunch, and sweet treats! Jane and her friends will stop by for a visit! $50/per person, limited seating.
Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker is directed by the playwright, Erin Woods, with musical and improv direction by KJ103 Morning DJ, Amanda Lee, beautiful period costume design by Assoc. Professor of Costume, Lloyd Cracknell, and scenic design by OSP Director of Operations, Henri Bailey, with festive Christmas elements by local chef and visual artist, Andy Landrith.
The show opens December 4th and continues through December 21st in the Indoor Black Box Theatre located in the Historic Paseo Arts District, 2920 Paseo, OKC, OK 73103.
These productions will close the company’s 41st season, with Season 42 featuring The Importance of Being Earnest, The Tempest, Julius Caesar, An Actor’s Carol, and Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker. In addition, OSP introduces a new “Reading Series” featuring new work and beloved classics read by local actors! Learn more at: www.okshakes.org
AN ACTOR’S CAROL DETAILS
Title: An Actor’s Carol: One clown’s Dickensian Marathon Toward Redemption
Adapted from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, by David Weber, Tim Blewitt, and Zach Hilbun
Performed by David Weber
Production Company: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
Address: 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Theater: The Indoor Black Box Theatre
Dates: November 28th & 29th, 2025
Time: Friday & Saturday at 8:00pm
Tickets & Further Info: www.okshakes.org/an-actors-carol
Run Time: Approx. 2 hours, including one 15-minute intermission.
Content: Contains clownish humour, and “scary ghost stories” for the whole family!
Media Inquiries: press@okshakes.org | 405-235-3700
Facebook: @OklahomaShakespeare | Instagram: @okshakespeare
#OklahomaShakespeare #AnActorsCarol #PaseoArtsDistrict
JANE AUSTEN’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER DETAILS
Title: Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, an Interactive Holiday Ball
By Erin Woods, based on the work of Jane Austen
Production Company: Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park
Address: 2920 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103
Theater: The Indoor Black Box Theatre
Dates: December 4th – 21st, 2025
Time: Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, Sundays at 2:00pm
Tickets & Further Info: www.okshakes.org/jane-austens-christmas-cracker
Run Time: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.
Content: Contains holiday merriment, singing, dancing, and ice cream for the whole family!
Media Inquiries: press@okshakes.org | 405-235-3700
Facebook: @OklahomaShakespeare | Instagram: @okshakespeare
#OklahomaShakespeare #JaneAustensChristmasCracker #PaseoArtsDistrict
Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker Cast
Cecilia Alali … Cassandra Austen
Andrew Cohoon … Colonel Brandon
Emma Cox … Jane Austen
Zaneen Fletcher-Hall … Mrs. Bennet
Teegin Hacker … Edward Ferrers
Charli Henn … Elizabeth Bennet
Lily Marsh … Lydia Bennet
Lindsey Newell … Elinor Dashwood
Nic Pizzuti … Captain Wentworth
Andrew Smith … Mr. Darcy
Sydney Wehmeyer … Anne Elliot
Bethany Woemmel … Marianne Dashwood
Piper Stephenson … Understudy
Jayvion Frazier … Understudy
Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker Production Team
Erin Woods … Director & Playwright
Amanda Lee … Music & Improvisation Director
Lloyd Cracknell … Costume Design
Henri Bailey … Scenic & Prop Design
Andrew Landrith … Scenic & Prop Design
Clara Starkwell … Lighting Designer
Rebekah Valencia … Dance Choreography
Jayvion Frazier … Stage Manager