"Everybody identifies a little bit with Scrooge," said Patsy Wygle, director of the third annual performance of the Laughing Stock Theatre Company's and nexStage Theatre's "A Christmas Carol: The Musical!"
The musical version of "A Christmas Carol" by Tony Award-nominated librettist and Rogers and Kleban award-winning lyricist, Mark Waldrop, and Rogers Award-winning composer, Dick Gallagher, is a community event with over 50 participants singing and dancing. NexStage will present the show with a few new additions but with all the same holiday family fanfare and fun.
"Dickens really knew what he was doing," said Keith Moore, who plays the downtrodden Bob Cratchit. "It has the best of the values, and it's about humanity."
The classic story of "A Christmas Carol" revolves around the heartless and dictatorial Ebenezer Scrooge, played this year by Steve d'Smith. Scrooge's depressed and crushed employee, Cratchit, played by Moore, is barely scraping by but wants to give his family a Christmas goose. Cratchit's son, Tiny Tim, played by Dyllan Millar and Lily Fitzgerald is a beloved character who is ill and barely mobile but ultimately will steal the heart of Scrooge.
In a dream one evening, Scrooge is visited by his late partner, Jacob Marley, played by Jamey Reynolds, who returns for another production. Marley introduces Scrooge to an evening of journeys led by the three ghosts of Christmas—the Past played by Tara Burchmore, the Present played by Jamey Reynolds and the Future played by Chris Campbell. The next morning reconsidering his outlook on life and grateful for a second chance, Scrooge vows to help his fellow man.
"We had so many good auditions, I double casted the production," said director Patsy Wygle. "It has become a holiday tradition for adults and 80 percent of the cast is back, but we have a new Scrooge, Steve d'Smith."
The period costumes for the performance are by Winkie McCray with the assistance of Karen Hand.
"It's historical," Wygle said. "Every year Winkie adds new pieces and everyone has perfect costumes for the Fezziwig Ball. 'A Christmas Carol' is a real blend of professional and community performers."
It's a big production, and Wygle said the many people involved with the production make it happen. In addition to some scenes with elaborate lighting and new staging, the music is a large part of the show.
The musical director is Patti Parsons and the scenic design is by Steve Pruitt and Judy Stolzfus.
"When you sing, it improves your health," Moore said. "Singing is a boost to your immune system. Its special doing harmonies, and the story is so very touching."
Playbill
· What: "A Christmas Carol: The Musical."
· Who: Presented by Laughing Stock Theatre Company and nexStage Theatre.
· Music by Dick Gallager, lyrics by Mark Waldrop, book by David Armstrong.
· Directed by Patsy Wygle.
· When: Dec. 19-23 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2 p.m. Opening night reception, Friday, Dec. 19, with champagne reception and carols by the Sun Valley Children's Choir, 6:30 p.m.
· Tickets: $20 adults and $10 children under 16. On Sunday, Dec. 21, tickets are $10. Reserved seating is available for an additional $10 for each ticket. For details, call 726-4TKS, stop by the nexStage Theatre or visit sunvalleytheater.org.
· Where: nexStage Theatre, 120 S. Main St., Ketchum.
Photo by David N. Seelig
