“A Christmas Carol” to be presented at Geyer
The tale of an icy heart melted by the warmth of Christmas time and the visions of three ghosts will unfold on stage at The Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale in “A Christmas Carol the Musical,” Dec. 15-18.
“First, it is a classic Christmas story. It is one that everybody knows and loves. This version of the show is one that is pretty pleasing to the audience,” said Brad Geyer, president of the Geyer Performing Arts Center board of directors, who is also portraying Fred in the performance.
Penny pinching and all-around grump, Ebenezer Scrooge is known in his community for placing his own needs and wealth before others and the love of family and friends.
His shout of “Bah! Humbug!” is heard anytime anyone wishes him a Merry Christmas or tries to help him get in the spirit of the season.
One wintery Christmas Eve, three spectral spirits visit and take him on a journey to remember his past, see how others view him in the present and give him a vision of what his future could be.
Having his core shaken, Scrooge awakes on Christmas morning a changed man and finds out what it means to have a truly “Merry Christmas.”
Tina Lepidi-Stewart is the director of the performance and said that her passion for the show has led her to the director’s chair for the second year.
“This is my second year directing this show. I have a passion for this show. I love the message this story tells and how Dickens tells the story,” she said. “As a child I was terrified by George C. Scott and that has always stuck with me and I use that as inspiration for the show.”
Alan Menken (Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid” and “Little Shop of Horrors”) was responsible for the music portion of the musical.
“Great music from him,” said Geyer. “He has several really popular shows. He has done music for a lot of Disney shows and whatnot. (There is) really catchy music throughout this show that everyone will enjoy.”
Another way audiences can identify with this version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale is through the 2004 televised version of the musical.
“Folks remember it with Kesley Grammer playing Scrooge,” said Geyer who added that their performance is holding true to the show.
One thing that makes Geyer’s take on “A Christmas Carol” unique is because for some of the 35-40 cast members it has become a family affair.
“What I like about the show a lot is that we have a couple of families that are performing together,” he said.
This year’s production of “A Christmas Carol” features Terry Westwood as Scrooge, Brandon Kerr as Marley, Becky Shirey as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Shawn Eustey as the Ghost of Christmas Present and Meg Baker as the Ghost of Christmas Future.
With a lot of pageantry and jubilation surrounding many of the scenes in the musical there are a lot of eye catching and charming moments during the performance.
“The end of Act II has a great number with the Fezziwig annual Christmas ball,” said Geyer.
In addition, Geyer said that the audience will also enjoy a big tap dance number with the Ghost of Christmas Present.
“There are a couple of good numbers in this,” he added.
Performances will be held 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15-17 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 18. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at geyerpac.com.
“I want families to be able to come and enjoy a holiday classic together,” said Geyer. “It is a family friendly show and it is the show that the family can do as a night out together for the holidays.”
Additionally, Lepidi-Stewart wants the audience to leave with a feeling that transcends the holiday season.
“We all need to have love in our hearts; that Christmas is about being together,” she said. “That man has to show compassion toward each other.”