Quick—name your favorite Hanukkah pop culture classic. At a loss? So were we—so we wrote one! *A HANUKKAH CAROL, or GELT TRIP! The Musical* is an irreverent and heartfelt musical comedy for all ages by two Nice Jewish Boys and their Goyfriend. All the heart of Dickens—if Dickens were Mel Brooks.

 

Like the steadfast light of the Hanukkah miracle, each of us has the power to effect change and make the world a little bit brighter. This core Jewish value is at the heart of A HANUKKAH CAROL. To us, this show isn’t just a “fun” concept; it’s a necessary one. Hanukkah is a celebration of family and community, but it also celebrates standing up against injustice and oppression, and the chutzpah required to maintain one’s minority identity in the midst of an overwhelming majority.

During the show’s development, these profoundly important themes continue to inspire us. We hope A HANUKKAH CAROL can shine some light in this too-often gloomy world, reminding audiences why “A Christmas Carol” is so beloved to begin with; we are confident that its appeal has far less to do with any particular holiday, and has everything to do with the spirit of kindness, goodwill, and togetherness to which we all should aspire.

 

(L-R: Harrison Bryan, Rob Berliner, and Aaron Kenny)

HARRISON BRYAN first thought of the idea for "A HANUKKAH CAROL" while eating his bubbe’s baked ziti. Sure, he’s won several theatre awards, but WHAT could be more impressive than being featured on CBS for having “the most decorated Hanukkah House in Brooklyn?!” 

Then, one random day – a miracle happened! He teamed up with the BMI Advanced Workshop’s Ebb Award finalist songwriting duo of AARON KENNY (ASCAP Award winner – and music assistant to, cough cough, Alan Menken) and ROB BERLINER (three-time Kleban Prize Finalist for Lyrics). That’s when the show found its true calling, and this journey began! 

(Photo credit: Nathan Johnson / maybe Marlo's... I'm gonna say... cousin?)

MARLO HUNTER directs for theater, film, and TV and was recently honored as a “2022 Woman to Watch on Broadway.” She makes her feature film directorial debut with American Reject in 2022 (Amazon and Apple+).  Marlo’s theatrical career has focused on the development of new plays and musicals, shepherding projects from inception to production. Currently, she’s helming the new musical Ever After, produced by Tony Award-winner Kevin McCollum, and directing two episodes for an unannounced Disney TV/ABC project. She is the winner of the Callaway Award for Excellence in Choreography and lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children. www.MarloHunter.com

 

Before we can produce the show Off-Broadway or adapt it into a movie musical… FIRST - we need an industry reading. A chance for us to share the material with an exclusive few who will help us bring it to the next level. Unfortunately, theater venues don’t accept *chocolate coins* as currency - SO, YES! We’ll need actual money. What for, exactly? Here’s a pie chart illustrating our financial needs for both the reading and the concert!

As you can see, we’ll need to buy a ton of latkes. 

Additionally, all safety measures dictated by AEA will be followed to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved as we continue to navigate and adapt to new COVID protocols. 

But other than making our dreams come true and feeding some very talented artists. What’s in it for YOU?? The answer, obviously – is GIFTS.

 

Did we say GIFTS!? Amen, we did. Check out our incentives on the side of this page, and choose a special Hanukkah Gift available JUST FOR YOU upon making your contribution today!

It would also be a GIFT for us, if you can help SPREAD THE WORD! The only way we’ll reach our goal is to reach people beyond our networks. If you want to be a part of a more inclusive holiday season, YOU can make a difference in our success. Feel to free copy and paste these below into your socials:

 

• Help make Hanukkah Magic by contributing to @ahanukkahcarol 's Seed and Spark Campaign! www.AHCmusical.com It's a super fun "kosher" twist on Dickens' holiday classic. Do a mitzvah, spare a share!

 

• “I can’t get this song from @ahanukkahcarol out of my head! Help them bring this new holiday classic to life. Join them at: www.AHCmusical.com #ALightInTheDark

 

With your support, the sky's the limit. Check out our proof-of-concept animated trailer that shows that, with a little Hanukkah Magic, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!