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'A Christmas Carol' with a twist |
The Cratchit family enjoys the holiday season as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Scrooge look on unseen. Kudzu Players are, from left, Phillip Gibson, Penny Graham, Kate Lane, Rachel Fischer, Candace Franks, Don Jones, Allen Stephens and Tom Pettis. "A Christmas Carol" will be presented Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 1-4 and 8-11, in the old Jackson County Courthouse. |
Nearly everyone knows the story of Scrooge and his journey through Christmas Past, Present and Future. But you've never seen "A Christmas Carol" like this before, said Heather Coates Guyse, executive director for Kudzu Players.
It's musical, fun, energetic and uses only 12 actors. How can that be? There are at least 40 different characters, aren't there? "Yes, in fact there are 48 named characters and another dozen or so unnamed roles," said Guyse. "Part of the charm of this particular adaptation is that 12 actors portray a total of at least 50 different characters." |
Marley, played by Tom Deweese, left, tries to get Scrooge (played by Tom Pettis) to understand what awaits him should he continue wicked ways. "A Christmas Carol" will be presented by the Kudzu Players Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 1-4 and 8-11, in the old Jackson County Courthouse. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Wednesday nights are half off for all students. |
The setting is an attic, transformed into a little girl's room. Cathy, the little girl (Candace Franks), is sick and is not able to go see "A Christmas Carol," which her parents are both acting in. Other actors are on their way over to the home of the parents, Tom and Carol (Tom Dewees and Libby Trull) for a pre-show gathering.
When the other actors see how upset Cathy is at not being able to go, they decide that even though they don't have all the actors, they should give Cathy a performance, improvising the scenes with missing actors and using found items in the attic for costumes and props. "This is theatre at its very best," Guyse said. "All the elements of surprise are built in because it's a 'found space' play. "The actors in this show recapture youth by demonstrating the ease with which our imaginations can transport us to other places and times. It's as if we are watching children play space ship in a bunk bed. And isn't that the message imparted to Scrooge?" said Guyse. The Ghost of Christmas Present said, "It is good to be like children, especially at Christmas. Dickens wants us to remember the glory of youth and appreciate the moments we have and the people around us." |
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This particular adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" was written by professors John Bielenberg and Sue Peters at Binghamton University, where Guyse received her degree. For 23 years, a community theatre in Endicott, N.Y., has been doing this show to sold-out audiences and youth groups.
"It was the most fun I've ever had doing a show," Guyse said of her time as a hired player for the theatre. "And I wanted to bring some of that energy to my new hometown. I'd like to see 'A Christmas Carol' become an annual tradition in Sylva." Playing the part of Scrooge is Tom Pettis, who's had some experience on professional stages in America. He's even played the part of Scrooge before. Other actors include James Bradley, Rachel Fischer, Phillip Gibson, Penny Graham, Don Jones, Kate Lane, Allen Stephens and Nika West. Kudzu Players presents this musical adaptation of the Dickens classic tale Wednesday through Saturday, Dec. 1-4 and 8-11, in the old Jackson County Courthouse. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students and seniors. Wednesday nights are half off for all students. For ticket reservations and information, call 631-2888. |
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