Published: November 05, 2008 08:37 pm            

Masquers, T&G to present ‘Scrooge!’ as holiday gift

FAIRMONT — Say Ebenezer Scrooge and Santa Claus, and you think Christmas. But while Santa is round and jolly and loves to give presents, Scrooge is tight-fisted, sour and dour ... until he received visits from three special ghosts one Christmas Eve long ago.

His story of redemption has been a holiday classic since the 1843 Charles Dickens novel was released, and has been told many times on film, even in a musical, “Scrooge!”

The Town & Gown and Masquers Theatre Group will present “Scrooge! The Musical” as its holiday gift to the community.

FSU’s production of “Scrooge!” is adapted from the 1992 stage musical adapted from the film, featuring the Bricusse/Fraser songs and starring Anthony Newley as Scrooge.

This is the traditional “Christmas Carol” story, said Francene Kirk, associate professor in the department of communication and theatre arts.

“It’s a little brighter and quirkier because of the music. There are several fun dance numbers. One is called ‘Toy Ballet’ where toys come to life.”

Two other familiar numbers are “I Hate Christmas” and “Thank You Very Much.”

“But you will see Marley and the ghosts of Christmases past, present and yet to come,” she said.

Scrooge will be played by Fairmont State professor Ray Mainenti, director of tutorial services. He has previously acted with West Virginia Public Theatre.

“This is a popular holiday tradition,” Kirk said. “We had great success with the play and considered doing it again.

“We have four public school music teachers in the show. When you have that kind of support from Fairmont and Marion County, why not do a musical?

“And it’s good for the students. We try to do at least one musical a year for a variety of experiences.

“We have some students who sing very well. You can’t tell them to take voice classes and then not put on a musical.”

The cast features several local families, she added: Mary, Sam, Mary Grace and Clare Tillman; Jennifer, Aydan, Alinya and Autumn Hansen; Cathy, Shawn and Brady Dunn.

“We like to do something every year that the commuinty can pariticpate in.”

Ten-year-old Christopher Yost is Tiny Tim. Leah Michael, 9, is Cathy Cratchit.

Musical director is Valarie Huffman. Charlie Dillon, professional actor, dancer and singer, is choreographer.

The production’s cast list includes: Scrooge, Ray Mainenti; Bob Cratchit, A. Shawn Dunn; Harry, the nephew, Sean Marko; Kathy Cratchit, Leah Michael; Tiny Tim, Christopher Yost; Bess, Jennifer Hansen; Wine Merchant, Robert Sundin; Mr. Pringle, Anthony Marchese; Mrs. Pringle, Ruth Ann Knupp;

Jollygoode, Loralee Simpson; Hearty, Marc Cornes; Mr. Carstair, J.D. Miller; Bissett, the butcher, Anthony Host; Mrs. Dilber, Carol L. Hall; Miss Dilber, Mary Tillman; Chestnut Seller, Briena Graziani; Beggar Woman, Clare Marie Tillman; Jacob Marley, Michael Vozniak; Punch and Judy Man, Jonathon Shay;

Ghost of Christmas Past, Loralee Simpson; Tom Jenkins, James H. Clegg; Phantoms, Brady Dunn, James Clegg, Bruce McGlumphy and J.D. Miller; School Teacher, Anthony Host; Jen, Madison Moyer; Ebby, Samuel Tillman; Fezziwig, Matthew J. Scanlon; Young Scrooge, Daniel Crowley: Dick Wilkins, Bruce McGlumphy; Mrs. Fezziwig, Kathy Dunn;

Isabel, Elizabeth Huff; Ghost of Christmas Present, Marc Cornes; Mrs. Cratchit, Dani Brake; Peter Cratchit, Brady Dunn; Martha Cratchit, Shannon Yost; Belinda Cratchit, Bailee Tucker; Wealthy Shopper, Stormy Brotosky; Baker, Sara Greenfield;

Helen, Leigh Anne Bolyard; Topper, Jeremiah Ripley; Mary, Dana Sayre; Christmas Yet to Come, Jonathon Shay; and Boy with sled, Sam Tillman.

Cast as urchins/children are Sam Tillman, Mary Grace Tillman, Madison Moyer, Bailee M. Tucker, Kailee Latocha, Emilee Latocha, Brody Cooley, Sinead Tobin, Aydan Hansen, Alinya Hansen, Gatsby Rider, Brady Dunn and Autumn Hansen.

Ensemble dancers are Briena Graziani, Stormy Brotosky, Madison Moyer, Anthony Marchese, Jeremiah Ripley, Bruce McGlumphy, Robert Sundin, James Clegg and Jonathon Shay.

Performance dates and times are Nov. 21-22 and Dec. 4-6 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 23 and Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. at the Wallman Hall Theatre on the FSU and Pierpont C&TC main campus. Tickets are available from the Box Office at 367-4240.

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.

        

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