Stage presence: Mariana Harrison adds ‘Christmas Carol’ to acting resume

Mariana Harrison of Maryville, who played Mary Cratchit in the December production of “A Christmas Carol” at the University of Tennessee, poses with Terry Weber, who played Bob Cratchit, at the Opening Night Reception following the first performance.

A Christmas tradition was also a venue for a local girl who took her acting love and talent to the big stage this year.

Beginning in late November and continuing through the first two weeks of December, Mariana Harrison performed in the University of Tennessee’s Clarence Brown production of “A Christmas Carol” at the theater.

Mariana played Mary Cratchit, the youngest daughter in the family. She joined a cast of 30 who performed from Nov. 25 through Dec. 20. While “A Christmas Carol” is a tradition at the UT theater, this year featured a new Scrooge and a lavish set. Scrooge was played by Jonathan Gillard Daly, a resident actor with the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

Playing Mariana’s “dad” Bob Cratchit was Terry Weber, an associate professor of theater at UT and artistic director of The WordPlayers.