Point Park alumni Justin Fortunato portrays Scrooge’s nephew Fred in Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera’s (CLO) annual production of “A Musical Christmas Carol,” one of the holiday themed shows and musicals featured in Downtown Pittsburgh this December.

“It’s a great Pittsburgh tradition with a great core of actors,” said Justin Fortunato, a 2011 Point Park Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) graduate. This will be the third year in a row Fortunato has been in the show.

Several other Point Park students and alumni are featured in the show – some have been participating for years.

“I’ve had my eyes set on this show since I was a freshman,” said Ashton Guthrie, a junior acting major and musical theater minor, who plays Dick Wilkins, Tom Watson, and The Undertaker in “A Musical Christmas Carol.” This will be his first year performing in the production. 

The musical, along with another holiday themed Pittsburgh musical production, “The Nutcracker,” will be showing at the Byham Theater and the Benedum Center respectively to get attendees into the spirit of the winter holidays in no time.

“Pittsburgh CLO has been putting on “A Musical Christmas Carol” for over 20 years,” Guthrie said in a break from rehearsal for the show. He said he enjoys working with people who have been doing the show since it began, even though it sometimes poses a challenge.

Also performing in the musical is 2011 Point Park graduate Magan Yantko, who plays Alice in the production. This will be her second time performing in the show, according to Pittsburgh CLO’s website.

“A Musical Christmas Carol” tells the timeless and endlessly adapted story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy old man who hates Christmas time, who is eventually taught the true meaning of Christmas. 

“The Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. is the only other theater that shows the same version as the one being performed in Pittsburgh,” Guthrie said.

 “A Musical Christmas Carol” will be showing from Dec. 5 through Dec. 21 at Byham Theater. The Nutcracker will show from Dec. 5 through Dec. 28 at the Benedum Center. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office at each theater, with a discount with a valid Point Park ID. Show times are also displayed on each website.

“It’s family-oriented, relatable to adults and kids. It’s a great experience and it really gets you in the spirit,” Fortunato said.