This week, Old Rochester Regional High School’s drama club will proudly present “A Christmas Carol,” based on the writings of Charles Dickens. Friends, family, and community members are invited to enjoy the play on opening night this Thursday, December 5, at 7:30 pm. The play will also be performed at the same time Friday and Saturday night, while the Sunday show will be a matinée at 2:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at local shops including the Marion General Store, Plumb Corner Market, and Pen & Pendulum. General admission is $12 and tickets for students and senior citizens are $10.
While this story has always been a classic for the holiday season, the play has come to be a tradition in the Tri-Town community as well. Director Paul Sardinha and costume designer, Helen Blake, organize “A Christmas Carol” once every three years, each time with a new, fantastic cast of students.
This year’s cast stars Ian MacLellan as Ebenezer Scrooge, Sam Resendes as Jacob Marley, Troy Rood as Bob Cratchet, Anne Roseman as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Patrick McGraw as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Lucy Milde as the Ghost of Christmas Future, and many more talented students. As opening night approaches, the actors and techies are working hard to deliver excellence.
“We still have yet to perfect the set changes,” said Rood earlier this week. “That’s the only wrinkle we’ve had.”
“We’re getting it all worked out,” Roseman commented. “We have finished blocking the play, now we’re just polishing things up.”
As for opening night nerves, it seems excitement is outweighing anxiety … mostly.
“I think we can do a great job,” said MacLellan confidently, “but that doesn’t mean I’m any less nervous,” he added with a laugh. As Ebenezer Scrooge, MacLellan has a huge part in the play. He admitted his most difficult challenge was posed by a scene in which Scrooge cries out in anguish. “I couldn’t scream right,” he confessed. Yet with four ORR drama club productions already under his belt, no one doubts that MacLellan will perform brilliantly. After all, practice makes perfect, and the drama club students have been rehearsing diligently.
Rood advises the audience to “look for some new things that we’ve done to update the show.” In order to keep the show interesting for returning ORR drama club fans, a few set changes have been improved and some lines have been changed. It’s these little differences, along with a new cast, that will keep this year’s show fresh and fun.
MacLellan says everyone should “definitely look forward to all the musical numbers.” You’re sure to be humming these entertaining and catchy tunes long after the curtains close. ORR drama club’s opening night performance of “A Christmas Carol” should be one to remember.
For more information, please call 508-758-6762.
By Renae Reints
