The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance is teaming up with West Virginia Public Theatre (WVPT) for performances of the classic Charles Dickens tale, “A Christmas Carol,” December 7-11 at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in the Canady Creative Arts Center.
A cast of professionals and theater students will perform the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, whose greedy, selfish ways are tested by spirits who come to haunt him on Christmas Eve. His life changes forever as he journeys with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. This family-friendly tale is a classic story of hope, love and giving that resonates with all people.
Dickens’ original novella has been adapted numerous times into stage productions, musicals and movies. This co-production features a never-before-seen adaptation by Andrew Lyons, a WVU School of Theatre and Dance alum. Jerry McGonigle, a professor of acting and directing at the School of Theatre and Dance and artistic director of West Virginia Public Theatre, is directing.
“There's darkness to it, so Andy and I wanted to really go into that darkness, so that when there’s redemption at the end, you’ve made a real journey,” McGonigle said.
Professionals in the cast include Luke Darnell (General Hospital, FBI, Law & Order: Organized Crime), who stars Ebenezer Scrooge. Dylan Morrison Myers (Mosaic Theatre) plays the Ghost of Christmas Future and Jacob Marley. The College of Creative Arts and Media’s own James Froemel, a recruitment specialist and School of Theatre and Dance alumnus, plays the Ghost of Christmas Present.
School of Theatre and Dance students are taking on the roles of other beloved characters, including the Ghost of Christmas Past, Bob Cratchit and Belle.
“They get to see that what we talk about in the acting classroom as the ideal way to approach a script, is also the way I direct,” McGonigle said. “I don't treat the professionals any differently than I treat the students.”
Students are also hard at work behind the scenes creating costuming, lighting and a set designed for the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.
“The design incorporates a 35-foot diameter turntable that's fully automated, so the full stage rotates,” McGonigle said. “Another floor has to be built around it. It's all painted. The buildings track on and off. All of that is being executed fully by students taking stagecraft and costuming. Students are also building hundreds of period costume pieces.”
Young actors were selected to play Bob and Mrs. Cratchit’s children.
“They’re all local, which is cool. Quite often, their school comes to see it, so they get to be up on stage and see their friends in the audience,” McGonigle said.
The co-production is continuing WVPT’s tradition of welcoming schools from around the region to attend matinee performances.
“For a lot of those kids, it's their first theatrical experience. I always do a little curtain speech with them, and say, ‘so for how many of you is this the first play you've ever been to?’ A good third or half of the audience raise their hand and scream,” McGonigle said.
No matter the age, McGonigle says the show can give audience members a sense of hope, charity and love.
“The theatre is a place where everybody in the room is there for the same reason. We're all united,” he said. “People talk a lot about the artistry of theater, but being an audience member is an incredible thing. You go to a place, they dim the lights, and you suspend your disbelief. With a production like this, you go home more hopeful, more rejuvenated, more positive about humanity.”
Tickets for “A Christmas Carol,” are available at go.wvu.edu/ccam-tickets or by calling 304-293-TKTS (8587). Tickets are available to purchase in person at the CCAM Box Office in the Canady Creative Arts Center Tuesday through Friday from 10-11 a.m. and 12-5 p.m., and 60 minutes prior to each performance.
For more information about West Virginia Public Theatre, visit wvpublictheatre.org. To learn more about the School of Theatre and Dance, visit theatre.wvu.edu.