April 23, 2024

NCT production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ set to debut

By Bob Eschliman

In the upcoming Newton Community Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol,” Matt Moran will play young Scrooge, Lonnie Appleby will be Scrooge, and Cheyenne Schaeffer will play Belle. The first show is Friday. (Submitted Photo)

If you think you know how “A Christmas Carol” is supposed to end, think again.

The Newton Community Theatre will present its final production of the 2013 season beginning this weekend. “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Sue Beukema and Pam Ratliff, will tell the classic Charles Dickens Christmas tale from a new perspective.

But first, the ending. Without providing any spoilers, audiences will get a surprise in the end of the production.

“The play ends with a heartwarming surprise for us all as we learn who Thomas’ grandfather really is,” Beukema said.

A young boy (Clay Lamb) cannot understand why his grandfather (Scott Schaeffer) gives his hard-earned money to the poor. His confusion provides an opportunity for his grandfather to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, as he recalls it, and a traditional retelling of A Christmas Carol comes to life onstage as a play within a play.

The story unfolds on Christmas Eve with Scrooge (Lonnie Appleby) visited by his former partner Jacob Marley (Larry Hurto), who tells him that he will be visited by the spirits Christmas Past (Kristine Perkins), Christmas Present (Stephanie Bantell) and Christmas Future (Larry Daft).

During each of their visits they persuade Scrooge to turn his life around.

In this beautifully written adaptation, you will find all of the classic Charles Dickens characters: Bob Cratchit (John Dougan), Tiny Tim (Reed Klingensmith), brother Fred (Steve Barnett), sister Fan (Aliza Blair) and Scrooge’s long-lost love Belle (Cheyenne Schaeffer).

“Kudos to the cast and crew of ‘A Christmas Carol’. You did a fantastic job and Newton should be very proud of the talent that this community has,” Beukema said. “[To the community,] come, sit back, relax and enjoy this holiday production of ‘A Christmas Carol.’”

The curtain will rise on the first of six performances 7:30 p.m. Friday. Additional performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, as well as 7:30 p.m. next Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12 through 14. A 2 p.m. matinee is planned for Sunday.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for youth. The NCT box office is open 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. weekdays, and one hour before each performance.