L-E students present ‘A Christmas Carol,’
True to the themes of the Christmas season, Liberty-Eylau High School’s teen thespians will present a child-friendly adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” next week.
LEHS students will pair the beloved Charles Dickens classic with a pajama party at 7 p.m. both Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7, at the new LibertyEylau Elementary School. In addition to enjoying this tale about the generous Christmas spirit, children can don their pajamas and enjoy a snack and a beverage at the play.
Kate Chambers, who’s a theater director and teacher for LEHS as well as the chairwoman of the fine arts department, says getting younger L-E students to see a show was one aim of doing “A Christmas Carol.” It’s a chance to provide a fun community event.
“Usually we do three shows a year, so we decided to depart from the usual musical this time of year,” Chambers said.
This production also gives her actors a chance to perform at the new elementary school. “We really wanted the opportunity to give it a go, give it a whirl, over there,” Chambers said.
In “A Christmas Carol,” she said, the story revolves around how a man changes his outlook on life and that in turn changes the lives of other people he encounters.
“It’s sort of a lesson that can be learned over and over again,” Chambers said of this 35-minute adaptation, which she describes as “very theatrical.” Her actors are on stage the entire time. Actors, who range from freshmen to seniors, also pull costumes from coat racks and prop boxes as they inhabit their particular character. They are on stage and active the entire time.
It’s a tale that anyone can appreciate, too, with a timeless lesson.
“I think learning generosity and compassion, which is something Ebenezer Scrooge learns throughout the story, is something anyone can take note of,” Chambers said.
It’s a great lesson to take away from the production, she said, noting the season can be difficult for some. It’s important to realize how we can make a difference in someone’s life, even those whom we don’t know and meet on the street.
In all, Chambers has a cast of 15 students and a crew of three, making it a smaller, more intimate production. All the sound is created on stage, so the crew focuses on lighting.
Children are encouraged to come in pajamas, eat popcorn and sip the hot chocolate provided at the show. And it won’t be too long of a production.
“Everyone will be out the door by 8 p.m.,” Chambers said.
Earlier in the season, the LEHS theater performers presented a rendition of “Taming of the Shrew.” In March, look for them to participate in the University Interscholastic League performance, which they’ll get to work on when this show is complete.