WHS production of 'A Christmas Carol' brings ghosts and a miser together for the holidays

Dec. 1—WORTHINGTON — If the holiday season has already prompted a "Bah, humbug!" or two around the house, it might be a good time to reserve tickets for Worthington High School's upcoming production of "A Christmas Carol."

Charles Dickens' classic story of generosity, joy and the redemption of one miserly man after four ghostly visits has been adapted into one family-friendly 55-minute act, set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 at Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center.

Director Eric Parrish had a number of reasons for choosing "A Christmas Carol," including its message of transformative change and its status as both a literary classic and a popular story. Because the WHS fall play had been scheduled for December to avoid conflicts with other activities, it also fit neatly into the Christmas season.

"It's a Christmas thing, but it's also legitimate literature," Parrish said.

In addition, the story is old enough to be out of print, meaning there wouldn't be copyright issues from the original writer or his estate. And while there are many adaptations of the story — Mickey Mouse and the Muppets have each told the tale — Parrish found one written specifically for youth theater by southern Minnesota playwright Rochelle Norbert, a friend of his. Norbert allowed the school to produce the show without a fee, and also agreed to let the school livestream it should COVID-19 shut down an in-person performance.

The original script features 50 characters, but some of the 30-plus high school students will play multiple roles, and several more students are serving as backstage crew. Six actors will be storytellers, giving the play a series of narrators. Tiny Tim will be played by second-grader Dawson Vosburgh.

Ebenezer Scrooge, the original "squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner" will be portrayed by Alicia Robles.

"Alicia really had the concept in the audition that this was a person, and not just an emotion," Parrish said, praising Robles' work ethic as a performer. "... it's hard to play angry, cranky, crotchety and make it more than one thing... to have nuance."

Every high-schooler who auditioned was offered a role, said Parrish, as he felt anyone brave enough to audition deserved an opportunity. Students have been rehearsing for the performance since October.

WHS industrial tech teacher John Singler built Scrooge's bed and two accounting desks for Scrooge's office, but apart from that, much of the set is minimalist, suggesting the London of the 1840s with four lamp-posts, a door in a frame and rear projection. That, Parrish said, keeps the play moving, and during some of the scene transitions traditional Christmas carols are incorporated in the show, too, to make the show "more Christmas-y."

The heart behind the play, though, is Scrooge's transformation.

"It's very easy to get stuck in a rut in terms of the way you always do something... you've made an opinion and you just stick with that," Parrish said. "You see this person transform, change their view. I think that's a valuable message for all of us, especially now."

Friends of the Nobles County Library will have a drawing for kids under 18 at each performance for a copy of the complete Dickens novel.

Tickets for the show are $6 for adults and $4 for children. Activity passes and District 518 Student IDs can be used for free admission. All seats are reserved, so tickets should be purchased prior to the performance, in person at the Memorial Auditorium box office, which is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling (507) 376-9101, or by visiting friendsoftheauditorium.com.