BWW Preview: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: SCROOGE AND MARLEY at Old Opera House

Just in time for Christmas, the Old Opera House presents the timeless classic A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, with some unique updates and an unexpected character in this version taking on the role of the narrator.

Directed by Steven Brewer and based on the original story written by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley tells the familiar story of miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge, who is visited on Christmas Eve by the three ghosts and presented scenes from his past, present and future. Scrooge is warned to change his ways to be more charitable to his fellow men or he will be punished in the afterlife.

Traditionally, in the story, Ebeneezer's old business partner, Jacob Marley, appears to warn him about the ghosts coming to visit and is not seen again for the rest of the show. But in A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Marley takes on a much larger role.

"This adaptation is told from Marley's mouth, and gives him more of a narrator role" said Ed Conn who plays Fred, Scrooge's nephew. "In this version of the classic tale, Marley takes a center place and it's a version I have never seen before" said Rene Farabaugh, who plays Mrs. Fezziwig.

"It is told from a different point of view. Marley is like a narrator and appears through out the play, commenting on the action and sometimes stepping in to play a part. It contains all the famous lines that people are familiar with, but has a few twists too" said Christine Brewer, who plays the Charwoman.

"There are many different versions of A Christmas Carol. However, in this version, the departed business partner of Ebeneezer Scrooge, Mr. Jacob Marley, is an on-stage narrator and helps guide the story and give personal insights about Scrooge" said CJ Stevens, who plays Scrooge.

While A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley is not a musical version of the Christmas Carol story, music is still utilized in the production.

"I think what makes this production unique is that we are using bits of music throughout the show. We are also using an original piece of music I wrote for the Fezziwig dance scene" said Farabaugh

"The director has also incorporated traditional Christmas carols into scenes, which, while it isn't a musical, adds some nice Christmas spirit" said Brewer.

The Christmas show at the Old Opera House traditionally features many cast members and this year, many members of the same family and some actors making their debut at the Old Opera House.

"Working with friends new and old on this production has been the best part of the rehearsal process" said Conn.

"This production is unique because it is truly a family production with several parents and their children getting to perform with each other. It was so much fun getting to work with familiar faces as well as new ones!" said Liz Ricketts, who plays Belle.

"The most enjoyable aspect of rehearsal is the interaction and fellowship with all the cast members. It is fun to watch the transformation from everyone reading a script to all of us knowing our lines and becoming our character. It is a joy to work with others to develop each scene into a believable performance that transports the audience to a specific place and time" said Stevens.

The cast cannot wait to share A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley with an audience this Christmas season.

"Audiences will enjoy this show because it is a classic tale which will help put the whole family in the holiday spirit!" said Ricketts

"The Christmas show at the Old Opera House is always special. It is a chance to have adults and children working together. It's fun to have old friends working together at the holidays, and then there are some new folks that we are enjoying getting to know. Everyone knows the story, so it is fun to just relax and create these well known characters. With everything going on in the world, it is nice to escape and enjoy a familiar tale" said Brewer.

"A Christmas Carol is a classic Christmas story. The audience will enjoy a mix of familiar scenes with unique twists. In addition, the cast is a combination of well-known Old Opera House favorites plus some new faces. We invite you to make A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley at the Old Opera House part of your holiday plans" said CJ Stevens.

A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley also features Glenn Frail as Jacob Marley, Alan Harner as Bob Cratchit, Emily Gross and Linda Romero as Solicitors for Charity, Connor Herfurth, Addison Jackson and Allison Vance as Spectors, Julie Smith as The Ghost of Christmas Past, Gail Farmer as The Ghost of Christmas Present, Richard Hamstead as The Ghost of Christmas Future and Schoolmaster, Ryan George as Scrooge as a Very Young Boy, Hagen McGowen as Scrooge as a Young Boy with Fan, Daisy Abigail Mason as Fan, Cavin Davis as Young Scrooge at Fezziwig's, William Morgan, Eli Viands, Mason Harner, Connor Herfurth, Addison Jackson, Amelia Marino, Allison Vance and Madeline Tester as Fezziwig's Employees and Family, Kevin Tester as Fezziwig, Sean Heim as Dick, Brady Burker as Scrooge as a Young Man, Charlie Perkins and Kevin Tester as Two Angry Men, Kelly Pannill as Mrs. Cratchit, Erin McGowen as Martha Cratchit, Caroline Brewer as Belinda Cratchit, Anghus McGowen as Peter Cratchit, Xylon Mason as Tiny Tim Cratchit, Julia Bivens as Fred's Wife, Ryan George as Ignorance, Daisy Abigail Mason as Want, Emily Gross, Linda Romero and Kevin Tester as Business People, Jen George as Mrs. Dilber, Charlie Perkins as Joe, Aiden Farabaugh as Adam, Kevin Tester as The Poulterer and Katie McGiven, Dorcas Ramsburg, Amelia Marino, Donna Hamstead, Savannah Harner and Madeline Tester as Carolers and Townspeople

A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley will run December 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11 at the Old Opera House, located at 204 N. George Street, Charles Town, WV. Thursday performances are at 7:30 PM, Friday and Saturday performances are at 8:00 PM and Sunday matinee performances are at 2:30 PM.. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and $15 for children. Please call 304-725-4420 or visit www.oldoperahouse.org to make reservations.

Photo Credit: Old Opera House

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