Posted: 11/20/07
Cast of Ye Olde Opera House preparing
for a different kind of "A Christmas Carol"
The cast and crew of Ye Olde Opera House in Spring Grove would like to invite you to a party of a different sort.
The cast is performing "A Christmas Carol" with a "slightly different spin on the traditional story that we are so familiar with," said the playís producer Steve Kemp.
A Christmas Carol, a story by Charles Dickens, has been adapted by Michael Paller.
The story begins with Charles Dickens developing the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the ghost and all the other characters of his tale.
The play develops into a Christmas Eve party hosted by Dickens for his family and friends.
"His guests are expecting Dickens to tell one of his stories during the evening," said Kemp. "But he has something quite different in mind."
The guests are all assigned "roles" that they are to play, and each of them is to tell a part of the new story he has just written.
"For the rest of the evening, Dickensí family and friends perform the story of "A Christmas Carol."
The Ye Olde Opera cast play multiple roles during the performance.
They play the roles of Charles Dickens and his family and friends and also perform as the characters of Dickensí story.
Cast members include: Steve Kemp as Charles Dickens and Ebenezer Scrooge, Rob Gross as Clarkson Stanfield, Bob Cratchit, The Ghost of Christmas Past, and other characters; Mary Deters as Catherine Dickens, Mrs. Cratchit, and other characters; Angie Martinez as Helen Dickens, Belinda Cratchit, and others; and Kaitlyn Gross as The Child. Those cast members are all from Spring Grove.
Those cast members who are from Caledonia are: Heidi Miller as a Dickens family member, Tiny Tim and others; Micah Crawford as Frederick Dickens, Young Ebenzer Scrooge, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come; Chelsea McManimon-Moe as Mrs. Stansfield and numerous other characters; Jacob Grippen plays the role of John Forster, a close friend of Dickens, The Ghost of Christmas Present, the Ghost of Jacob Marley, and others. A newcomer to the Ye Olde Opera House stage is Tyler Engen also from Caledonia, is playing numerous roles.
A Christmas Carol is directed by Sara Kroshus, a veteran of the YOOH stage, and is produced by Kemp.
"A Christmas Carol will be performed Friday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2:30 p.m.
All performances are at the Ye Olde Opera House Building at 155 W. Main Street in Spring Grove.
Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $4 for students.
Tickets are available at the door.
For more information call Ye Olde Opera House at 507-498-5859.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com