| Bah, humbug...
No, really, it's true. Lamar Playhouse at Lamar Consolidated High School will present the musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, and 14 in the newly remodeled Herndon Auditorium.
Under the artistic direction of Jeremy Hill and musical direction of Jack Vandiver, this timeless Charles Dickens tale gets the full Broadway treatment. With a cast of more than 30 actors, musicians and singers, from grade school to high school, Hill will receive assistance from Ramiro Estrada, Rachel Dillon and Dennis Siltman as orchestra director, choreographer and accompanist, respectively.
This year's production was selected based on the time of year, “and the fact that we wanted to do something family friendly with a large cast,” explained Hill.
Due to band and swim commitments senior Danny Galicki couldn't pursue one of his hobbies - acting. This year, however, he decided to try out.
“I'm glad I got it,” he said with a smile. Having watched the movie several times, Galicki said he's ready to play “the part of a mean guy” Ebenezer Scrooge.
“It's a fun musical,” said Galicki, “and it has a happy ending.”
Making his stage debut, sophomore Wade Johnson has embraced the role as Jacob Marley.
Encouraged by friends to audition, Johnson is happy he tried out - and perhaps has found his niche in theatre arts.
“I love acting,” he said. “I like to make people laugh.”
In addition to being his first acting gig, this will be Johnson's first time singing in front of an audience.
When it comes to learning his lines and the song “Link by Link”, Johnson said, “I go over it every night. I make sure I have it in my head before I go to sleep.”
Johnson will share the stage with his little sister, Krista.
When he learned the theater arts department was putting on a musical, senior David Dynes, a member of the varsity choir, decided to try out. Accepting the role of mild-mannered Bob Cratchit, Dynes said his character was not hard to develop.
“The way my parents have taught me, and the way I've grown up, made it easy to play the nice guy,” he said, adding, “It's going to be one of those shows for the whole family and gets you in the mood for Christmas.”
Like several other actors, Dynes was double cast. He will also portray the younger Ebenezer. Dynes said the two characters share a lot of similarities.
”There are parts where I have to be a jerk, and it's not really my nature to be a jerk, “explained Dynes, adding, “ I gotta stretch to act like a punk.”
Veteran actor senior Lauren Marler will portray Mrs. Cratchit.
With roughly 18 performances under her belt, Marler enjoys being on stage and being in front of people.
“It's fun,” she said.
Past parts have included mean type characters, so Marler is pleased to play the nice Mrs. Cratchit.
“I never really got to play a part where I am motherly, “ she said.
As with other cast members, Marler doesn't seem to mind sharing the stage with grade school, middle school and high school students.
“I've never been in a cast this big,” she said. “It's cool to bring in the young kids. It's going to be a really, really fun, happy musical.”
So, what's “A Christmas Carol” without Tiny Tim?
Enter, stage left.
Veteran actor Phillip Bevers, 10, is overjoyed in playing the part of Tiny Tim.
“I love acting. It's so much fun, especially how many friends I make,” said Bevers. “It's been wonderful working with the cast and crew. “
Eager, and ready for the show to open, Bevers continues to run over his lines with his 12-year-old sister, Hannah, who is also in the show.
In “A Christmas Carol”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, one of which, the ghost of Christmas past, will be played by sophomore Porscha Shaw.
While Shaw has been in only a few plays, she has been bitten by the acting bug.
“I just like being on stage,” she said. “ I'm not afraid to be on stage at all.
“I wanted to try out for this play because it's a musical and I am also in varsity choir,” she continued. “I love singing and thought it would be pretty cool.”
Shaw said her favorite part is during the Fezziwig's annual Christmas Ball.
“I get to hit this G-sharp for a measure and a half,” she said.
Shaw encouraged the entire community to come out and see the show, describing it as “a family show everyone will be able to enjoy. “
“It (also) has amazing voices in it,” she said.
Tickets are $8 students, $10 adults. 832-223-3137.
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