'A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr.' to be staged Nov. 16-18 at Hemmens

Children's Theatre of Elgin's "A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr.," performed by a huge cast of local young people and adapted from "The Magic Tree House" book series, is a lively family musical that explores the inspiration for Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 16-17, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For tickets and more information, visit the Children's Theatre of Elgin website at CTEelgin.com or call (847) 214-7550.

The story centers on the adventures of two present-day siblings, Jack and Annie, who are whisked back by way of a magic tree house to Victorian England to encourage the legendary author Charles Dickens not to give up on his writing. They find him discouraged about his failures, his past sorrows, and the poverty he sees all around. With the help of a little magic and lots of music and dance, the children show him why he should keep writing.

Children's Theatre of Elgin alumna Sarah Robertson, a science teacher at Dundee-Crown High School, is thrilled to have the opportunity to choreograph the dances that she hopes will have the audience mesmerized.

"This is one of the greatest groups of kids I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I have watched many of them grow into phenomenal performers and been blown away by the enthusiasm of the newcomers," Robertson said. "I am beyond proud to have my name associated with CTE and this production in general. The energy and immense performance ability of these students will undoubtedly be very entertaining."

"A Ghost Tale for Mr. Dickens Jr." will run about 90 minutes and includes a 15-minute intermission during which show-related treats and trinkets will be sold.