What the Dickens is going on around here? Bridgeport’s own John Ratzenberger is back for a return engagement playing Scrooge at SHU.
Ratz has never lost touch with this roots growing up in the ‘Port. Ratz, who wrote the foreword to my book Only In Bridgeport, is also one to drop in a cool surprise.
Back in the day, with OIB friend Bob Fredericks, we put out a weekly paper The Bridgeport Light. This was during the peak of Cheers television fame when Ratz played the bar know-it-all Cliff Clavin. One night I’m watching the show and there’s the opening scene of Ratz at the bar reading The Light, the front page in full bloom. Ratz is accomplished much more than Cheers including his improv background.
News release from SHU:
For the second year, actor and alum John Ratzenberger will star as Ebenezer Scrooge in Sacred Heart University’s production of the Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, December 15-17 at the Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts.
This production welcomes back Ratzenberger who is known for his acting roles in Cheers, Cars, Toy Story, Wall-E and others. The play also features other alumni.
“I’m happy to be reunited with the amazing SHU student-performers and talented crew,” Ratzenberger said. “We had a great time last year, and I’m looking forward to making more memories this year.”
The production will benefit SHU’s nationally recognized and award-winning collegiate theatre program with 100% of all proceeds going toward the program. The Princeton Review ranks SHU’s theatre arts program as one of the best in the nation.
Alum Grace Caroline Curley ’23 put her own spin, an intergenerational approach, on the 1840s story. Curley, who is currently getting her master’s degree in playwriting at the University of New Orleans, incorporated musical elements into the play while staying faithful to the text. Her adaptation invites audiences to experience the wonder of the holiday season through a beloved, heartwarming tale for the whole family.
For tickets, visit the Edgerton Center website.
