Bah, humbug! Theater to present 'Christmas Carol'
The bitter, cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge is making his way to Palatine this weekend -- in the famous tale, "A Christmas Carol."
"It's the first time we're hosting "A Christmas Carol," said Terry Karow, public relations and marketing specialist for student activities at Harper College.
Written by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol" depicts the cruel Mr. Scrooge, a wealthy banker, enduring a profound transformation on Christmas Eve with visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
The show, produced by Philadelphia-based American Family Theater Arts for Youth Inc., will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday at Harper College in the Building J Theatre, located at Roselle and Algonquin roads in Palatine. Tickets are $3 for children; $5 for Harper students, faculty, staff and senior citizens; and $7 for general admission. Free parking is available, and a meet and greet afterward with the show's six cast members.
"The show is geared toward families, and runs about an hour and 10 minutes. The story is quick … a musical version with original music written for it," said Nichole Garza, the show's stage manager.
The show features 11 lighthearted, original songs, including "Come to London Town," "The Same," "Tell Me What You Want" and "It's Christmas." The production includes a Narrator, Scrooge, Tim, Bob and Ellie Cratchit, Mr. and Mrs. Fizziwig as well as the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future.
American Family Theater has brought the show, directed by Dennis Edenfield, to Wisconsin and Minnesota, and also will be presenting it in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Upstate New York. The theater company performs annually in more than 300 venues, including schools, museums and arts centers.
"The show's cast is pulled from all corners of the country, (including) California, New Orleans and New Jersey," Karow said.
"People can take a break from Christmas shopping and have some time together at the show."
For information, call (847) 925-6100 or go online at www.harpercollege.edu.