Bryan Cranston Leads One-Night-Only Live “A Christmas Carol” With Jean Smart, Noah Wyle and an All-Star Cast Benefiting The Ed Asner Family Center
The Holiday Event Plays to Just 75 Guests at the Garry Marshall Theatre and Streams Live Worldwide on December 17
Special 24-Hour $20 Streaming Ticket Presale Begins October 24 at 12:00 P.M. PT
BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bryan Cranston will take on one of literature’s most iconic roles, Ebenezer Scrooge, in a one-night-only live staged reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, benefiting The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC) on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank at 7:00 PM PST.
Cranston will lead an all-star company featuring Jean Smart (Ghost of Christmas Past), Noah Wyle (Fred), Connor Tomlinson (Bob Cratchit), Tom Bergeron (host), Clancy Brown, Dorian Harewood, Samantha Sloyan, Tal Anderson, Chelsea Darnell, and Spencer Harte. The evening will also honor Vicki Dummer, Head of Current Programming at Warner Bros. Discovery, for her commitment to inclusive storytelling, community, and the neurodivergent community. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.teafc.org.
The intimate performance will take place before an audience of just 75 guests and will also stream live worldwide exclusively through Broadway Unlocked, giving audiences everywhere the opportunity to experience the performance in real time. Directed by Victor Nelli, the production will be presented in an intimate radio-play style with live music and a live Foley artist, bringing Dickens’ classic holiday story to life in a unique theatrical setting.
“We’ve spent six years bringing some extraordinary artists together during the holidays in support of the Center, and this year feels like the beginning of something very special,” said Matthew Asner, Co-Founder and President of The Ed Asner Family Center. “Having Bryan Cranston, Jean Smart, Noah Wyle, Tom Bergeron and this incredible company performing A Christmas Carol together in a 75-seat theater is pretty magical. And because only 75 people can be in that room, I love that people anywhere in the world can join us live. Most importantly, every ticket helps us continue the work my father cared so deeply about—supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families.”
“This production is more than a holiday tradition; it’s a gathering of community, love and acceptance,” said Navah Paskowitz-Asner, Co-Founder of The Ed Asner Family Center. “The Center is a place where neurodivergent people are fully embraced and given the tools to thrive through the arts, mental health services, and meaningful connection. Having this incredible company of artists join us to celebrate family and generosity means the world to our community.”
All proceeds from the evening benefit The Ed Asner Family Center, supporting its work providing arts and enrichment programs, mental health services, social connection, adult day programming and employment pathways for neurodivergent individuals and their families.
WATCH LIVE FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD
A Christmas Carol will stream live on December 17, 2026 at 7PM PST, exclusively on Broadway Unlocked.
24-HOUR STREAMING PRESALE: $20
Begins: October 24 at 12:00 p.m. PT
Ends: October 25 at 12:00 p.m. PT
STREAMING TICKETS (Post Pre-Sale): $25
TO PURCHASE TICKETS: teafc.org
AN EXTRAORDINARILY INTIMATE LIVE HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY EVENT
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — Live Staged Reading includes the performance, a festive pre- and post-show holiday reception with food, wine, and seasonal cocktails, and a specially curated A Christmas Carol-themed VIP gift bag.
DATE: Thursday, December 17, 2026
VENUE: Garry Marshall Theatre, Burbank, California
IN-PERSON TICKETS: $500 — Limited to 75 guests
IN-PERSON TICKETS: teafc.org
ABOUT THE ED ASNER FAMILY CENTER
The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC) was co-founded by Navah Paskowitz-Asner and Matthew Asner, inspired by their own children and their family’s personal experience with neurodiversity. TEAFC is dedicated to enriching the lives of neurodivergent individuals and their families by providing comprehensive mental health services, arts and enrichment programs, social connection, adult day programming, and meaningful pathways to employment.
At the heart of TEAFC is a commitment to building a community where neurodivergent individuals are accepted, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. The Center proudly employs Autistic self-advocates as educators, counselors, and program staff, ensuring that neurodivergent voices and lived experience are an integral part of its work. For a closer look at our programs and community, visit TEAFC.org. Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
EVENT AND SPONSORSHIP CONTACT:
Matt Asner • The Ed Asner Family Center
Matt@teafc.org • (818) 302-0712
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Cheri Warner • Andy Aguinada • Weissman/Markovitz Communications
425189@email4pr.com • 818.390–0999
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SOURCE The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC)
