Hudson High School's 'A Christmas Carol' kicks off the holiday season
Hudson High School kicks off the holiday season with its fall production of "A Christmas Carol." This brand-new version of the classic tale by Charles Dickens is adapted for the stage by Hudson High's drama director Bob Russell, and features original music written by Hudson High’s director of choirs Jacob Moore and 2019 alumni Karsen Guldan.
Performances are Friday, Nov. 18 and Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7pm; and Sunday, Nov. 20, at 2pm in the Hudson High School Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.showtix4u.com and searching “Hudson” or at the door before performances.
This production, featuring 3rd-12th graders, is a new Hudson holiday tradition that will return to the stage every four years. This family-friendly and fan favorite holiday story tells the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge through the three majestical spirits that guide him through a night of his past, present, and future Christmases. This play is being done like never before with the addition of elaborate musical numbers, special effects, and of course, classic Hudson theater magic, according to Russell.
This original adaptation of Dickens' classic short novel was specifically created so characters' gender identities can be adjusted. Therefore, based on the performers who audition, a character's gender identity can be changed to accommodate the identity of the student.
This show will feature seniors PJ Ryan as Judith Marley; Kate Pawlowski as Mrs. Cratchit, Fezziwig Guest, and Laundress; Elyse Tremmel as Fred’s Wife, Caroline and Fezziwig Guest; and Zoe Kippley as a Caroler. Juniors in the production are Jason Dement as Ebenezer Scrooge; Brogan Kapela as Bob Cratchit and Fezziwig Guest; Jason Tong as Fred, Fezziwig Guest, Belle’s Husband, and Debtor; Travis Anglewicz as Merchant 1, Fezziwig Guest, and Topper; Maria Wright as Merchant 2 and Dotty Wilkins; Brayden Perry as Mr. Fezziwig and Joe; Charlie Learoyd as Young Adult Scrooge and Undertaker; Madison Davidson as Mrs. Fezziwig and Cynthia; Lindsey Ross as Belle and Mrs. Dilber; Alex Dale as Fezziwig Guest, a Caroler and Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come; Vivian Wang as a Caroler; and Sara Landess as a Caroler.
Also on stage will be sophomores Italia Kolar as Spirit of Christmas Past; Adeline Pelletier as Martha Cratchit, Fezziwig Guest, and Flower Seller; Lillian Hockstra as a Caroler; and Julia Van Bokkelen as a Caroler; and freshmen Sophia Pykett as Spirit of Christmas Present; and Allie Brewer, Mira Cahalane, Mateo Henderson, Grace Kim, and Katherine Thiele as Carolers.
The cast from the middle and elementary schools includes Alexis Rollins as Tiny Tim; Carson Fox as Adolescent Scrooge and Turkey Boy; Cate Chuparkoff as Belle’s Oldest Child and Belinda Cratchit; Evelyn Fabian as Belle’s Middle Child and Peter Cratchit; Jack Gladman as Boy Scrooge, Matthew Cratchit and Ignorance; Julia Drake as Gillian Cratchit and Want; and Cooper McCutcheon as a Caroler.
"A Christmas Carol" is directed by Kent State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance Faculty Bob Russell, and musically directed by Jacob Moore. The sound mentor is Carlton Guc of Off-Axis Sound with assistance from senior sound lead Maria Landess; associate sound coordinator Luke Ream; and sound technicians Annabel Green and Kiley O’Connell. The lighting mentor is Hoover High School drama director Bruce Nist Jr. with assistance from lighting lead and board operator Murphy Murray, associate lighting coordinator Tori Slotter, and electrician Josh Carter.
Costume mentor is University of Mount Union’s professor of costume design, Sarah Russell, with assistance from wardrobe lead junior Sam Farabee, alongside assistant wardrobe lead Georgia Arnott and wardrobe crew Audrey Brandyberry, Katie Chumura, Jacqueline Kloss, Olivia Moore, Ella Rhodes, Cat Turek, and Caroline Williams. Scenic coordinator is senior Jacqueline Kloss alongside associate scenic coordinator Binglin (Paul) Song. Property lead is Emily Jabbour accompanied by the properties run crew that includes Jingyi (Vivian) Ling and Lily Scafe followed by properties coordinator Lillian Hockstra. The fly/run crew consists of Emily Doane, Lily Larsen, Eric Robinson and Analeigh Lawrence. Makeup leads include Rose McDonald and Lindsey Tima. Child wranglers are Lauren Brownley, Ashlyn Mouse and Alyssa Sykes. Tech week workers include Rosa Donnelly, Madilyn Forst, Amelia Gardehl, Josephine Rammel, Sheila Reilly, and Kaira Spohn.
Choreography will be led by University Theater faculty member, Katie Gibson, with assistance from senior dance captain Elyse Tremmel. The production stage manager is sophomore Evie Marquart and assistant stage managers are Iliana Jones and Maddison Monroe.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hudson High School's 'A Christmas Carol' kicks off the holiday season
