ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – It’s back — the Rochester Rep Theatre is making its return in its own building.

About three years ago, the theatre purchased its spot on 7th Street NE, but when COVID shut down the world, so did The Rep. Taking advantage the audience’s absence, the theatre remodeled, revamping its front of house, box office and auditorium.

After performing a few shows at the Rochester Civic Theatre while construction wrapped up, The Rep is officially back home and gearing up for its first show in its new space: A Christmas Carol.

“It’s wonderful,” Director Bill Schnell said. “We are grateful for the time we had at the Civic, but mostly we are grateful to get this open again after waves and waves of COVID, to fill the seats again.”

While A Christmas Carol is a familiar show to many theatre goers, Schnell says The Rep’s version is unique, as there are only five actors during the entire show.

“It takes five really talented people, and so we had to choose a good cast,” Schnell said. “….There’s Scrooge played by one actor, and the other four actors play all 20, 30 other characters.”

The show will debut The Rep’s makeover — and welcome guests back after months and months of waiting on Black Friday, Nov. 26.

“I want people to leave and say, gosh, it’s good to be back. That feeling,” Schnell said. “And of course, smiling. That’s what A Christmas Carol is all about, redemption, and to have fun. There’s comedy, music, there’s singing in it. I want them to have the total experience…Plus, this is a show about redemption and celebration. What better show to have when you’re first starting back up where COVID was, and the newness of the theatre.”

A Christmas Carol opens Nov. 26 and runs for three weeks. Show times are Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 5 and 12 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.

Audience member will be required to wear a mask, vaccinated or not.

–Beret Leone, KTTC, November 13, 2021