Julien Arnold passed away while on stage during a production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel Theatre.
According to a report by CBC, Arnold tragically passed away at the theater despite the efforts of paramedics from Alberta Health Services to revive him. The spokesperson, Kerry Williamson, mentioned that the cause of death has not been disclosed.
Arnold's unexpected death was confirmed by the Citadel Theatre through a poignant message posted on their official Instagram page.
"It is with heavy hearts we share the news of the sudden passing of Julien Arnold, a beloved actor and dear friend of the Citadel Theatre."
"A cherished member of the Edmonton theatre community, Julien was a gifted performer whose charisma and talent graced our stage in countless productions, including A Christmas Carol."
Arnold portrays Marley and Mr. Fezziwig in the play and after the unfortunate passing of the actor, Citadel Theatre's Executive Director Jessie van Rijn and Artistic Director Daryl Cloran announced upcoming scheduling modifications.
As per the announcement made, the upcoming productions for this season will pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Arnold. The theatrical performance of "A Christmas Carol" is scheduled to draw audiences until the evening of December 24.
In the course of his professional journey, Arnold portrayed a range of characters on stage, such as taking on the role of Feste in "Twelfth Night," embodying the Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz," portraying Cogsworth in "Beauty and the Beast," and bringing to life Bottom in "A Midsummer's Night Dream."
Donations for Arnold's wife Sheiny's GoFundMe page, which aims to cover funeral and related costs, have surpassed $42,000.
He was 59 years old.
