Playing Scrooge, Theatre Three's Sanzel is Unmatched

This Saturday evening's performance of A Christmas Carol will mark the 1,000th time 's executive artistic director Jeffrey Sanzel has played Scrooge in Charles Dickens' .

The theater's managing director Vivian Koutrakos recently told Donna Newman in a story published in The Times Beacon Record that this "has not been achieved by any other Long Island actor — in any production — ever!"

Sanzel has starred as the curmudgeonly old miser for the last twenty-one years at Theatre Three in the classic story. Last year in , the actor told arts writer why he thought a story that is over 150 years old still resonates with people.

"I think what draws most people in is the theme of redemption. That if Scrooge can change, we can change. That there is hope in our lives to be better people," said Mr. Sanzel. "It's also a wonderful ghost story."

In Samuel’s recent interview with the Newman, he talks about his years playing Scrooge and even tells about the time the play had to be completed in less than desirable conditions after a stage malfunction.

"A fitting celebration is planned," reported the paper. "VIP tickets to the performance include a party where there will be food and drink — and a few surprises for Mr. Scrooge."

To read the entire interview, please click here.