With Gaines, ‘Scrooge’ gains credibility

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003 | 8:28 a.m.

A holiday season without the notoriously ill-tempered misanthrope? Bah! Humbug!

Broadway actor Davis Gaines will play the curmudgeonly Scrooge in the musical of the same name opening tonight at Starbright Theatre at 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd. in Summerlin.

Directed by Ari Levin, "Scrooge" is Starbright Theatre Company's first production since it was formed by Levin in early fall.

The story is set in 1800s London. Gaines performs the lonely man from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," who is reconnected with the holiday spirit after he is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

"I wanted to open with 'Scrooge' because other than 'The Nutcracker,' there's really nothing else going on," Levin said. "And I wanted to open this theater by showing the community that this is the caliber of our productions. What we wanted was Broadway superstars, which we got."

In September Levin, a Las Vegas actor and director, produced "Superstars of the Kirov Ballet" with Taragon West Entertainment.

Gaines is known for his lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway and in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and as a concert performer.

Levin became acquainted with Gaines at Nevada Ballet Theatre's "Woman of the Year" production honoring Carol Channing for 2003. Levin produced; Gaines emceed.

Pat Caddick, local musician and former keyboardist and musical arranger for Danny Gans, is the production's musical director and will conduct a live band during performances.

The 20-member cast includes eight equity actors and will perform such numbers as "Father Christmas" and "I Hate People."

Rehearsals began Nov. 10. The production will continue through Dec. 28.