Preview: Cody Nickell takes on Dickens in Gulfshore's "JACOB MARLEY"

Cody Nickell.

It's the day before Thanksgiving. I'm sitting on the patio at the Norris Center with Cody Nickell and Kristen Coury. He's starring as Jacob Marley in "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol" and she's directing.

I wanted to do one of those Entertainment Weekly-style "Three Drinks with Cody & Kristen" interviews, but rehearsal schedules got in the way.  Kristen is having a grande extra-hot Americano, I'm having my usual salted caramel hot chocolate and Cody doesn't quaff coffee. Instead of three drinks, we're gonna do three questions.

Here's a teaser from the interview. You can subscribe and read the whole thing now, or wait for the dead trees later this week.

Read the preview: Cody Nickell and Kristen Coury talk 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol'

Cody Nickell.

1) Why Jacob Marley? What makes this version special? What is in it that
isn't in any other version of "A Christmas Carol?"


"We know Scrooge and we don't know Marley at all." This is from Kristen Coury. We compare notes. Cody and I like Scrooge McDuck; Kristen prefers 1992's "The Muppet Christmas Carol."

On a side note - and this didn't make it into the story - the Scrooge McDuck mention led down the road to "Duck Tales," and then more Disney cartoons. Anyone passing by the Norris Center that afternoon was treated to Cody and I duetting the theme to "Gummi Bears." Truth.

2) What is the most difficult part of telling such a well-known (and
beloved) story with just one actor?

"I'm standing on Scrooge right now!" Cody Nickell said.

3) What have you already discovered about "A Christmas Carol" that you
didn't know before? What do you think will surprise audience members?

Cody Nickell takes flight. But Kristen Coury refuses to reveal how or why.

Cody Nickell stars in the Gulfshore Playhouse production of "Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol," an alternate take on the Dickens Classic. The show runs at 8 p.m. through Dec. 22 at the Norris Center in downtown Naples, with 3 p.m. matinées on Dec. 8, 15, 21 & 22. Tickets are $33-$45. Call 866-811-4111 or gulfshoreplayhouse.org. Buy tickets online here: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/920126.

Read the preview: Cody Nickell and Kristen Coury talk 'Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol'