Classic ‘Christmas Carol’ arrives at MSA

• "A Christmas Carol"

Math and Science Academy students will perform the Charles Dickens classic tale of “A Christmas Carol” Thursday and Friday, Dec. 13-14, at the school.

Talk about it

Math and Science Academy will be celebrating the holiday with a true holiday classic – “A Christmas Carol.”

The performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the school.

The play, written by Charles Dickens, is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a greedy and stingy businessman who has no place in his life for kindness, compassion, charity or benevolence. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner Jacob Marley. Marley warns Scrooge to change his ways to avoid a miserable afterlife like him.

Scrooge is visited by three ghosts – the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.

Each ghost transports Scrooge to different parts of his life in hopes of helping him transform his ways.

Scrooge awakens Christmas morning with joy and love in his heart because of his experiences the previous night.

“It’s one of Charles Dickens’ works that is easy enough to relate to,” said MSA math teacher and play director Teri-Sue Hitchcock. “We all know somebody who is kind of a Scrooge and we all like the innocence of Tiny Tim.”

Hitchcock said she chose “A Christmas Carol” for the school fall one act play because it is a classic show and it was perfect timing with the holidays right around the corner.

“We thought it would be fun and the kids would enjoy it because they know the story,” she said.

A unique take on a classic

MSA’s production of “A Christmas Carol” will incorporate some unique elements into the show, specifically in terms of characters.

MSA’s Scrooge may not be what most people envision when they think of the grumpy old character since he will be played by junior Kim Do.

Hitchcock said she decided to cast a girl in the role of Scrooge because a high number of girls auditioned for the play and Do was the best casting choice.

“The cast is fairly female heavy, but we’re making it work,” she said.

Do said she wanted to audition for Scrooge because it posed some unique challenges for her.

“I’ve never played a character like this,” she said. “It’s a good experience. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d get Scrooge.”

Additionally, Do said she liked the complexities of Scrooge’s character.

“He’s a really complex character and I like reading into the backgrounds of him and how there’s so many layers to him,” she said. “Throughout the play, you slowly peel them away one by one and it’s really fun to play that and see how he changes throughout the play.”

Hitchcock said Scrooge’s transformation is also a highlight for her.

“I have to admit, I like seeing Scrooge change,” she said.

Do said the role has also been enjoyable.

“It’s hard because I’m not an old man,” she said. “It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s a lot of fun to do.”

In addition to a female Scrooge, Hitchcock also did some unique casting by having her cast of 14 play multiple roles.

Hitchcock said she made the decision to have students play more than one role because not only are there 48 speaking parts in the play, and she did not have that many students audition, but it also gave students more time on stage.

“By doing this it’s more of an ensemble cast then,” she said. “They are having fun getting to play different roles and getting to do the fastest changes we’ve ever seen.”

MSA senior Abi Nixon, who will be portraying Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit and “charwoman,” said she has enjoyed playing the multiple roles because she gets to try different personalities.

“I love it especially when your characters are so different,” she said. “I go from being this cheerful ghost and then I’m Mrs. Cratchit who is motherly and then I’m the charwoman who is like a thug on the street – it makes you as an actor develop more.”

MSA senior Maxwell Vard, who will be playing a townsperson, Fezziwig, Fred Scrooge, Peter Cratchit and one of the narrators, said he is excited to show audiences his versatility.

In addition to having a minimalist cast, MSA’s production of “A Christmas Carol” will also have an austere set.

Hitchcock said she had to go with a minimalist set of stage boxes because the school doesn’t have a large performance space presently and they had to make do with the space they had.

“We are going to be decorating that place with Christmas lights galore though,” she said.

Nixon said she is excited to see how the set comes together in the end.

“That will be kind of interesting to see since it’s such a minimalistic set,” she said.

Do and Vard said they are getting excited to bring “A Christmas Carol” to the stage.

“The show is iconic,” Vard said. “I think it’s neat to uphold a tradition.”

“It’s very festive,” Do said. “It brings the Christmas spirit into the school.”

Math and Science Academy’s production of “A Christmas Carol” will be Thursday and Friday, Dec. 13-14, at the school. Tickets are $1 for students and $2 for adults.