Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) was an English Victorian writer, responsible for creating some of the world's best-known and loved fictional characters. A prolific author of short stories, plays, novellas, novels, fiction, and nonfiction, during his lifetime Dickens became known throughout the world for his remarkable characters, his mastery of prose, and his depictions of the social classes, mores, and values of his times. Among his most famous works are Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, David Copperfield, and A Tale of Two Cities.

Jerry Patch is Director of Artistic Development at Manhattan Theatre Club. Prior to that, he was Resident Artistic Director of The Old Globe. During his time at the Old Globe he brought to the theatre works by such renowned playwrights as Amy Freed, Howard Korder, Richard Greenberg, and Donald Margulies. In the Globe's past three seasons, eleven world premieres and two second productions of new works have been presented, including A BODY OF WATER, winner of the 2006 Best New American Play Award. He previously served as the Dramaturg and a member of the longstanding artistic team at Southern California's Tony Award – winning South Coast Repertory (SCR), where he coordinated the development of 150 new plays, including two Pulitzer Prize winners and numerous other Pulitzer finalists. Patch became the top choice for this new role at the Globe due to his many years of artistic accomplishments, his exceptional relationships with the nation's leading directors and playwrights, and his enthusiastic commitment to new work. While at SCR, Patch worked as Dramaturg on numerous new works, including Donald Margulies' SIGHT UNSEEN and BROOKLYN BOY, which just opened to critical acclaim on Broadway, Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize – winning WIT, Howard Korder's SEARCH AND DESTROY, Amy Freed's THE BEARD OF AVON, as well as INTIMATE APPAREL, FREEDOMLAND and world premieres of several plays by Richard Greenberg, including THREE DAYS OF RAIN, HURRAH AT LAST!, THE VIOLET HOUR and EVERETT BEEKIN. In addition, he co-conceived THE EDUCATION OF RANDY NEWMAN with Michael Roth and Mr. Newman. Patch also served as the founding project director of SCR's Pacific Playwrights Festival, which annually introduces seven new plays to Orange County audiences and national theatre leaders. Typically, more than 75% of the festival plays presented receive multiple productions in theatres across the country. During his tenure at SCR, Patch also held the position of Artistic Director (1990 – 1997) of The Sundance Theatre Program, which included the Sundance Playwrights Laboratory, one of the nation's leading new play development programs. Additionally, he ran the Sundance Summer Theatre, a repertory of 2 – 3 productions staged outdoors for Utah audiences and The Sundance Children's Theatre, which is dedicated to the development and presentation of new works for family audiences by leading American playwrights.