Bryan Cranston Stars in One-Night-Only "A Christmas Carol" Benefit
News related to:The Ed Asner Family Center · 2 min read
BURBANK, Calif., Oct. 20, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Ed Asner Family Center is set to host a one-of-a-kind, intimate live performance of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" on Thursday, December 17, 2026, at the Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank, California. The event, which will feature an all-star cast including Bryan Cranston as Ebenezer Scrooge, Jean Smart as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Noah Wyle as Fred, is expected to draw just 75 guests to the 75-seat theater.
Cranston, a renowned actor known for his roles in "Breaking Bad" and "Malcolm in the Middle," will lead the cast in this special performance. 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. The event will be directed by Victor Nelli and will be presented in an intimate radio-play style, complete with live music and a live Foley artist, bringing Dickens' classic holiday story to life in a unique theatrical setting.
The performance will stream live worldwide on December 17, 2026, at 7 PM PST, exclusively through Broadway Unlocked. A 24-hour $20 streaming ticket presale will begin on October 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM PT, and end on October 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM PT. For those unable to attend in person or watch the live stream, in-person tickets are available for $500 and are limited to 75 guests.
The Ed Asner Family Center, co-founded by Navah Paskowitz-Asner and Matthew Asner, is dedicated to enriching the lives of neurodivergent individuals and their families through comprehensive mental health services, arts and enrichment programs, social connection, adult day programming, and meaningful pathways to employment. The center employs Autistic self-advocates as educators, counselors, and program staff, ensuring that neurodivergent voices and lived experience are an integral part of its work.
The event will include a festive pre- and post-show holiday reception with food, wine, and seasonal cocktails, as well as a specially curated "A Christmas Carol"-themed VIP gift bag. All proceeds from the evening will benefit The Ed Asner Family Center, supporting its vital work in providing arts and enrichment programs, mental health services, social connection, adult day programming, and employment pathways for neurodivergent individuals and their families.