WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 22, 2016 — Charles Dickens’ beloved 1843 Christmas story will come alive this December as the West Liberty University Theatre Department presents “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.”
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1-2 and 8-10, and at 3 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the Kelly Theatre.
“Tickets are going fast, and we encourage people to call now for reservations,” said Director John Hennen, who also is an adjunct professor and frequent actor in the Hilltop Player productioins.
The heart-warming story of Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim needs no introduction.
“This adaptation follows the Dickens original scrupulously but, in bringing it to life on the stage, adds elements of inventiveness and brilliant theatricality that enhance and strengthen its timeless virtues,” Hennen said. “A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley” is a theater piece of unique eloquence, which will delight audiences and prepare our hearts for the festivities of the holiday season.”
Singing and dancing also add entertainment value to this holiday classic and make it “must-see” event of the season.
A cast of 40 will bring the story to life. Wheeling actor Michael L. Aulick, a member of the WLU faculty, will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, the miserly businessman visited by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, played by Rich Ivaun, who will visit him with the other ghosts to show Scrooge the past, present and future.
“It’s such a wonderful show,” Hennen said, “with a good cast and some touching moments.” The large case includes students, staff and community actors.
CAST LIST SCROOGE AND MARLEY
- Jacob Marley: Rich Ivan
- Ebenezer Scrooge: Michael Aulick
- Bob Crachitt: Brady Dunn
- Fred, Scrooge’s Nephew: Grant VanCamp
- Thin Do-Gooder: Chris Rees
- Portly Do-Gooder: Josie Jarrett
- The Ghost of Christmas Past: Melinda Kreisberg
- Little Boy Scrooge: Brayden Conway
- Young Man Scrooge: Kobe Wade
- Fan, Scrooge’s little sister: Ruori Stoll/Jayden Clutter
- The Schoolmaster: Rob DeSantis
- Fezziwig: Zac Morris
- Dick, young Scrooge’s coworker: Anthony Hood
- Scrooge’s Lost Love: Maria Matsakis
- The Ghost of Christmas Present: Jed Shook
- Mrs. Crachitt: Ingrid Young
- Belinda Crachitt: Baylei Mills/Sophia Sliter-Hays
- Martha Crachitt: Tessie Tokash
- Peter Crachitt: Sam Sliter-Hays/Daniel White
- Tiny Tim Crachitt: Aiden Mills/Shia Conway
- Scrooge’s Niece, Fred’s wife: Sarah Lemley
- The Ghost of Christmas Future: Ben Moore
- First Woman: Amanda Tamplen
- Mrs. Dilber: Callie Carroll
- Old Joe: Rob DeSantis
- Adam: Zachary Gordon
- A Poulterer: Ben Moore
- First Business Man: Alex Franke
- Second Business Man: Alex Gordon
- Third Business Man: Josie Jarrett
- Man/woman 1: Alex Burdick
- Man/woman 2: Hunter Helms
- Ensemble: Carly Balog, Alex Burdick, Hunter Helms, Amber Parsons, Jessica Roth and Summer Timbs.
Online ticketing and early bird discounts also are available at wlucarol.brownpapertickets.com and will eliminate a wait at the ticketing window the day of the performance. General admission tickets will cost $12.50 at the door. For senior citizens, university employees and students of other institutions tickets will be $10 and WLU students with university ID will be charged $5 at the door.