Ridgewood’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is no bah-humbug
The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge what awaits him that very night if he doesn’t change his ways. Luckily for Scrooge, the spirit spares him and he continues to live as a changed man for many more years.
WEST LAFAYETTE – Ridgewood High School presented Charles Dickens’ timeless classic, “A Christmas Carol” on Thursday, Dec. 22 to the general public. The story centers on an old miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his obsessive hate with anything to do with the Christmas season. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three spirits and he learns the true meaning of this special time of year.
Playing Scrooge in the Ridgewood production was seasoned thespian, Nathan Moses. He said he enjoys playing the part but it’s challenging for one reason.
“The hard part is trying to stay in a grumpy mood because I’m having so much fun on stage and I have to remind myself to stay mean,” said Moses.
Playing opposite Moses is Cameron Burkholder as the all-around family man and Scrooge’s clerk, Bob Cratchit.
“I like that he’s a very nice guy,” said Burkholder. “He’s very family-oriented.”
Burkholder knows what it’s like to have a large family.
“I have nine siblings,” he said. “So I can relate to having a big family.”
The love of Cratchit’s life, his wife Mrs. Cratchit, is played by Zoe Miller.
“I love the little things she does like when she slams down the cup at the dinner table when Bob toasts Mr. Scrooge,” she said. “She’s so sassy and she’s so much fun to play. She cares about her family. This is my first sad role to play. Usually I have a flamboyant character.”
The three spirits who visit Scrooge, the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, each play a vital role in Scrooge’s epiphany at the end of the play. Amber Mourer, who portrays the Ghost of Christmas Present, believes when this spirit visits Scrooge is when he begins to change.
“I think she (the Ghost of Christmas Present) has the best argument,” said Mourer. “It really hits home with him with the things he sees. The present shows him especially toward the end with Tiny Tim and the moment where he says he would die in place of Tiny Tim, that’s the moment when Scrooge changes.”
Kyla Geer plays both the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Geer said she especially likes the scene when the Ghost of Christmas Past shows Scrooge the Christmas party at the Fezziwig’s office, and although Mr. Fezziwig has spent money to give the party, Scrooge remembers it made everyone happy.
“I enjoy the Ghost of Christmas Past,” she said. “I really don’t force him to see anything. I just kind of bring up the things in the past to make him think.”
For the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Geer wears two bedsheets, one full and one queen, her marching band uniform pants, a black sweatshirt, a mannequin head, and a large black satin covering.
“I don’t have lines for that part, but I get to watch and absorb the scene,” said Geer.
The purpose of the spirits visiting is to change Scrooge’s thinking not only on Christmas, but about the world around him. But does Scrooge truly change?
“He sees what he’s truly done and what he needs to change and that Christmas is a happy time for him,” said Moses.
Director of the play, Jill Collins, couldn’t be happier with how the play turned out and how hard the students worked to make it happen.
“They have worked so hard,” she said. “They were so disappointed when we had the snow days and couldn’t do it. This is such a good group working together. It’s been a joy. They’re a team and that’s the amazing part. It’s one of the tightest groups I’ve ever had. Everybody’s friends.”
Category: Arts & Entertainment
