Centerary Stage Company Gives Gov's Mansion a Dickensian Twist

If Drumthwacket, the residence of the governor of New Jersey, bears a distinctly Dickensian look to it this holiday season, the Centenary Stage Company will have had something to do with it.

The New Jersey Theatre Alliance was approached by the Drumthwacket Foundation about having Alliance members decorate various rooms in the governor's mansion with a theatrical flair for the holidays.

The Centenary Stage Company (CSC) took up the challenge, said Rita Medina, a CSC program associate, in a release. Medina recruited recruited Centenary College faculty member Julia Sharp, who also serves as costumer for the main stage shows, to spearhead the design. Sharp brought in f Centenary College Fashion students Sarah Greenstone and Christina “Tina” Medina to help.

Medina and Sharp went on a tour of Drumthwacket, and dediced the mansion's library would be the perfect setting to bring in elements from the CSC's 2011 holiday production of "A Christmas Carol: The Musical."  

The room has been set up with production photos and two beautiful costumes constructed especially for this installation: one of The Ghost of Christmas Present and the other of a Victorian Caroler.  The room also includes props and a display of set designs from previous CSC productions, Medina said.

“Centenary’s proud to be a part of this holiday tradition and we’re looking forward to sharing our talents with New Jersey residents who come out to see this installation," said CSC’s Artistic Director Carl Wallnau.

Three Open House events at Drumthwacket will be held, on Wednesday, Dec. 4; Sunday, Dec. 8; and Wednesday, Dec. 11. Visitors who wish to attend can make reservations by visiting the Drumthwacket Foundation's website. 

Admission to the exhibition is a suggested $5.00 donation to the Drumthwacket Foundation.