'Scrooge In Love!': Livermore Man To Act In SF Holiday Musical

LIVERMORE, CA — You might recognize Edward Hightower from around the block, but this month he'll be transformed into Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge's dead business partner, for 42nd Street Moon's musical "Scrooge in Love!" at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre.

The storyline picks up a year after "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. "There's some unfinished business that (Jacob) wants to bring to Scrooge's attention," Hightower said.

Hightower, who has acted in musicals throughout the Bay Area, said the show and cast are so good that they stand out from other performances he's been part of. It has a reputation of being "the only Christmas show you don't get tired of," he said.

It's funny, well-written and pure heart, he said. The songs are so catchy that they get stuck in his head. It's rare that a show's entire cast is so wonderful, he said.

Hightower was born in Hayward but first stepped foot in Livermore for his first musical through Las Positas College. It was charming, he said. Hightower eventually left the area to attend Boston Conservatory, but returned to Livermore after finding a space he wanted to call home.

"I love Livermore," he said. "It's awesome."

Watch Hightower and the rest of the cast perform Wednesdays through Sundays, from Dec. 4 to Dec. 22 at San Francisco's Gateway Theatre (215 Jackson St.). Tickets can be purchased online and code SCROOGE20 can be entered for 20 percent off. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, though online orders are recommended as the venue may sell out.