Ebenezer Scrooge finds a change of heart following visits from three spirits, who show him his Christmas past, present and future. And the Duncan community has two more chances to see the story come to life.
Duncan Little Theatre is performing “A Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Duncan Little Theatre’s new venue (913 W. Main Street).
DLT performed the play last weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Several Duncan Middle School teachers and students are involved in the production.
Some of those acting in the show include seventh-grade math teacher Reavis Hammond (as Bob Cratchet), journalism teacher Derrick Miller (as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, schoolmaster, Belle’s husband and the undertaker’s man), sixth-grader Chole Brown (as Belinda Cratchet), seventh-grader Stevvie French (as a Londoner and caroler). Sixth-grade English teacher Teresa Blalock headed up work on costumes, and life management teacher Mark Monteith headed up set design.
Other volunteers for the show include STEM teacher Renea Lawler who has worked behind the scenes since her children are involved in the production, and seventh-grader Ryan Brown who has helped with stagecraft.
“A Christmas Carol” follows Scrooge, played by Desmond Jones, as he transforms from cold-hearted and ruthless to a man fully embracing the Christmas season, thanks to those three ghosts.
The classic Charles Dickens story from 1884, was initially published as part of his annual Christmas book, and was inspired by his childhood. The book has been adapted for the stage by John Jakes. DLT last performed this adaptation in 2008.
“It’s been a great experience, and I’m excited for everyone to see the show,” Miller said about the production.
Auditions for the play took place in early October. The table read occurred at the end of Fall Break. Since then, the cast has been rehearsing the play multiple times a week (with the exception of Thanksgiving week, when there was only one rehearsal). Last week, the cast and crew rehearsed every night by running the entire show.
Hammond said he gets ready for a production by reciting lines.
For him, the best part of the play is when Tiny Tim delivers his iconic line.
Miller said he has two favorite scenes, both of which he is part of. These scenes include Fred’s party scene and the scene involving the undertaker’s man, the laundress and the char woman, also known as the “vultures.”
He said the two scenes are a lot of fun to be part of and have a lot of comic energy behind them.
Tickets for the show are 10 dollars for students, seniors and military, and 15 for adults. Tickets can be purchased here or at the door.
