Lisle's 'Humbug' puts new twist on Christmas classic

Lisle High School students are set to perform "Humbug," a modern twist on the Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol."

Written by John Wooten, "Humbug" follows the story of Eleanor Scrooge, a ruthlessly ambitious Wall Street executive who has an aversion to Christmas and an insatiable appetite for power.

Locked in her office on a snowy Christmas Eve, Eleanor is determined to finish a corporate-takeover proposal until three "advisers" provide her with an eye-opening new appreciation for the holidays and the spirit of Christmas.

Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 19 to 21, at Lisle High School, 1800 Short St., Lisle. Tickets are $7 for adults, and $3 for students and senior citizens. For information, call the school at (630) 493-8300.

Eleanor Scrooge is played by Ani May, a senior who has performed as a lead in all four years at Lisle High School. Other lead characters include juniors Emily Schwemmer and Destany Hahn, who play Bobbie Cratchitt, the female version of Scrooge's assistant.

The family-friendly show was chosen because it includes a large cast. The strong female characters give an opportunity to showcase the school's outgoing senior theater students, who are predominantly female.

The production's heavy lighting and special effects also provide a challenge to a strong lights and sound team that includes outgoing technical crew seniors Rishab Hanjagimutt, Sam Tarasewicz, Hanna Altpeter and Peter Kfoury.