A family-friendly, musical version of a well-known holiday story will be staged by the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Dec. 2-4 and 8-10.
“A Christmas Carol, The Musical” will be performed in Jenkins Theatre of the Noel Fine Arts Center, 1800 Portage St., Stevens Point. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2-3, and Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 8-10, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4, and Saturday, Dec. 10. It is part of the “What Lies Beneath” theatre and dance season.
Tickets are $27 for adults, $24 for seniors and UW-Stevens Point faculty and staff, and $16 for youth. They may be purchased online at tickets.uwsp.edu, by calling 715-346-4100 or by visiting the Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center in Stevens Point. Tickets may also be available at each venue starting one hour prior to each performance.
In Charles Dickens’ classic story, the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, so that he realizes the real meaning of the holiday. In this musical version, the story features the traditional characters and catchy, beautiful songs, said the director, Mark Hanson, professor of musical theater.
“This version humanizes the ghosts, as they are portrayed by people Scrooge encounters on the street,” he said. “It’s also not too long and not too scary, so it’s kid friendly.”
The large cast includes 26 UW-Stevens Point students, nine local youth as well as a 14-person choral ensemble off stage. “From our actors to choreographers to designers, everyone is working hard toward the goal of inspiring our audiences,” Hanson said.
Father Christmas will make an appearance at the weekend matinees showings — during intermission and before and after the show, said Hanson. Cast members will greet the audience after each show.
“It’s great to share these moments as a family,” said Hanson. “Everyone will take something away from it, and it will keep everyone entertained. There’s lively dancing, humor and quiet, romantic moments. It’s a magical way to celebrate the holidays.”