Monday, November 28, 2005

Wilmington, N.C. - A musical production by Frank Trimble, chair of the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Communication Studies, will kick off the 2005-2006 season of a New England theatre company. Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol will premiere at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Little Compton Community Theatre in Little Compton, Rhode Island and run until Dec. 11.

Ebenezer is true to the original Dickens text and features Scrooge, his uninvited ghostly guests, Tiny Tim and the usual characters featured in the classic story, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. The production unfolds in song and dance with musical styles that include gospel, blues, rock and jazz as well as lush madrigal harmonies. Trimble describes it as “a blend of the classic with a contemporary comic twist.” Songs include Come to Us Christmas; Loyal to Us All; Money, Money, Money; and Ebenezer’s Auction.

Trimble adapted the script, composed the melody lines for the songs, and wrote the lyrics. Two UNCW Department of Communication Studies alumni also worked on the piece. Kristin Graf (1995) created the vocal arrangements and Rodney Ingle (1990) composed the orchestral soundtrack.

Ebenezer is being directed and choreographed by Gloria Crist. Crist has had many roles in television and stage productions, including “Dawson's Creek”, “Law and Order”, and The Vagina Monologues in New York. She just completed a role as Vicki in "The Brotherhood," a Showtime series filmed in Providence, RI.

Trimble came to UNCW in 1983 and has served as chair of the Communication Studies Department since 1994. He was presented the 4th Annual J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award in Aug. 2005 and was the recipient of the 1996 UNCW Chancellors Teaching Excellence Award.

Trimble earned a Master of Science degree in Speech Communication with an emphasis on organizational communication and performance studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He has taught courses such as Performance of Literature, On-Camera Performance, Organizational Communication and Impromptu Speaking. He previously served as the department’s internship director.

He has authored and co-authored numerous book chapters and articles in various areas within communication studies. In addition to Ebenezer, he composed the original stage musicals, Fly Wright!: The Story of Two Brothers, Noah: An Ark Musical, On a Nutrition Mission! and Duplin Voices.

In Wilmington, he has directed and choreographed 27 stage productions (10 at UNCW), been involved in the script writing and directing of various historical and educational video programs and performed in over 20 roles on stage, film, or television.

Ebenezer has been produced five times in Wilmington, four of which were directed and choreographed by Trimble.

Frank Trimble may be contacted at 910.962.3441.

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