Chicago Indie Film Scrooge & Marley, a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens' classic holiday story A Christmas Carol, will have its Chicago Red Carpet Premiere and one-week run at Chicago's historic Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave.) Nov. 29 thru Dec. 6.
Recounted from a gay sensibility, the film will also screen in at least a dozen cities nationwide this holiday season, with a DVD and soundtrack slated for December release. Filmed in Chicago last May, Scrooge & Marley stars acclaimed actor David Pevsner, former Saturday Night Live star Tim Kazurinsky, Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, David Moretti, Richard Ganoung, and JoJo Baby. It is narrated by Tony award-winning actress Judith Light.
The Chicago Premiere run will kick off with a gala opening night celebration featuring most of the stars. A pre-VIP event will be held at Frida's Restaurant at 5 pm, Red Carpet at the Music Box at 6:30 p.m. and the film screening at 7 p.m., followed by a Q&A with cast and crew. The VIP after-party will be held at D'Agostino's on Addison. Philanthropist Michael Leppen is underwriting the opening night events. Tickets are now on sale for all events and screenings at: www.musicboxtheatre.com/events/scroogeandmarley .
Acclaimed out actor David Pevsner portrays Ben Scrooge while former Saturday Night Live star Tim Kazurinsky appears as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. Rounding out the cast is a host of other recognized theatrical actors: Drew Anderson, Christopher Allen, Nicholas Bailey, Allison Torem, Fawzia Mirza, Peter Mohawk, Becca Kaufman, Scott Duff, PJ Powers, Amy Matheny and many more.
Featuring a wide range of music from award-winning singers and bands, Jason Gould performs a special end credit song, written for the film by Marsha Malamet, Liz Vidal and Stephan Oberhoff. Other performers in the film and soundtrack include Matt Alber, BETTY, Linda Good, Amber deLaurentis, Becca Kaufman, Jeannie Tanner and more.
Music Box Theatre schedule in Chicago:
Thursday, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m. — red carpet, 7 p.m. screening followed by Q&A.
Friday, Nov, 30, 2:30 p.m., followed by a meet-and-greet with actors at Sidetrack, 3349 N. Halsted, 5-7 p.m. (Pevsner, Vilanch, Schwimmer, Kroell, Moretti, Cavanagh and more.)
Sat., Dec. 1, Noon: Benefit for Chicago Gay Men's Chorus, followed by talk-back with actors.
Sun., Dec. 2, Noon (ASL interpreted), benefit for Lakeside Pride.
Mon., Dec. 3 - Tue., Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m., benefit for Lambda Legal.
Thu., Dec. 6, 2:30 p.m.
The film will also screen over Christmas at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N., State Street, Chicago: Friday, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:45 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 27, 7:45 p.m.
See www.scroogeandmarleymovie.com or www.facebook.com/ScroogeAndMarley.