This is to report that the latest in a long line of Scrooges the world over got so into his acting role recently that he would come home from rehearsals, look at Christmas decorations, and think to himself, “Huh — humbug.”
You may now tip your top hat to one appropriately pseudo-embittered 14-year-old Henry Ulrich, who also was trying to polish his British accent last week. He’s serious about his upcoming Dickens of a show.
He’s the star in Mill Race Theatre Company’s children and youth production (with grades one through eight) of “A Christmas Carol” playing Friday and Saturday at Southside Elementary School’s auditorium, 1320 W. County Road 200 S in Garden City.
As far as the performer is concerned, anyone who doubts that such a young thespian can make a convincingly crotchety Ebeneezer should bury such cynicism with a stake of holly through its heart. Besides, despite Ulrich’s tender age, he already has been a part of 21 stage shows.
“Scrooge is just one of those characters with a very specific, personal, angry, grumpy-old-man disposition,” said Ulrich, who mentioned that he has read Charles Dickens’ classic tale “about 500 times.”
But for those who have done the same, or perhaps seen 500 similar productions of the crabby-killjoy-turned Christmas-cheerleader, Ulrich acknowledged that the cast, led by student director Allison Debolt, has “taken a few liberties” with a tale that is as much a part of the season as decorated Douglas firs.
Meaning that there’s more than a ghost of a chance that your Noel could have a simple insight or two added to it this year. Ulrich, after all, sees Christmas as his favorite holiday, and is generally as happy as a presents-laden youngster this time of year.
“At least I would like to think so,” he said.
Debolt is making her directorial debut with a 45-member cast as part of her Columbus North High School senior project.
“I did have some nerves early on,” Debolt said. “And at the beginning of auditions (in October) at first I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing.”
But Mill Race veteran Caleb Blackerby knows a thing or two about both acting and directing, and offered guidance — so much so that Debolt believes audience members will come away impressed with her performers. Not to mention costume coordinator Loryn Weddle, who shows a deft touch for mid-19th century London clothing.
“I want people to be able to watch these kids on stage and come out of the auditorium thinking, ‘Wow — they really did a good job,’” Debolt said. “’They put the time in, presented a good story and got a good lesson across to the audience.’”
Which seemingly would be enough to melt the hardest of hearts with the warmth of Christmas.
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What: Mill Race Theatre Company’s children and youth production of an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol."
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: Southside Elementary School auditorium, 1320 W. County Road 200S in Garden City.
Tickets: $6 and $10, available at millracetheatre.org
Information: Facebook page for Mill Race Theatre Company or millracetheatre.org
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