Whether in written form, as a musical, a parody, a stage play or film, the classic story of the Christmas curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge has been shared millions of times since the original A Christmas Carol, written in 1843 by Charles Dickens. In Dickens’ novella we meet Scrooge on Christmas Eve as he eschews all Christmas traditions, declines to join his family for dinner, and reluctantly allows his clerk the day off for the holiday. That evening, while at home alone, the ghost of his business partner Jacob Marley visits. Marley is doomed to carry weighted chains as punishment for his greed when alive, and warns Scrooge that to avoid the same fate, he must heed the additional visitors he should expect — spirits representing Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.
The earliest known cinematic interpretation of Dickens’ tale was a silent by Robert W. Paul in 1901. There have been dozens of film versions of this story since, but it is the 1970 version, Scrooge, that became the foundation for the 1992 stage musical, with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse. That production has been performed around the world, with notable presentations in the UK, Ireland, Japan and throughout the US.
There is always some challenge in presenting a familiar story on stage, because patrons may have heard it told or seen any the many film or stage adaptations. Director James Montanez is focusing on allowing his cast to probe and stray from the traditional. “I get more excited every day. It started with interesting casting, like not casting traditionally and working with those actors to help them explore their characterizations.”
Montanez’ pride in his cast comes through, especially as he details the casting decisions he made for the spirits in the production. “Ashley (Nattress) as the Ghost of Christmas Present has a strong, jazzy voice, and is naturally funny. Ghost of Christmas Past Aubrey (Westerfield) played Wendy in Peter Pan, and she came out to audition and I think she deserved it. She’s the right person. She’s sweet, she’s got a nice voice, strong actor, she’s a great student.”
When asked about the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Montanez’ expression softens and lights up. “That’s one of my favorites. He’s been a project of mine ever since I got here. Kyle Bevers is 27 and neurodivergent. It took a while for him to loosen up, to be able to become verbal. He helped me backstage pretty much in every play that we did last winter and spring.” Bevers’ first onstage role was in PVPA’s presentation of The Rocky Horror Show this past October.
PVPA Artistic Director Randy Smith will be taking on the titular role, stepping in to replace an actor who had to resign. This isn’t the first time Smith has had to fill a vacated role, and he has played Scrooge before, but, says Montanez, “After being approached, he said ‘under one condition: I want you to have me do it differently than I’ve done it before,’ and I said, ‘I couldn’t help myself if I wanted to.’”
The production features a cast of over 30 talented youth and adult performers, whom Montanez calls “34 of the bravest souls I’ve ever met,” in this family-friendly holiday classic.
Prescott Valley Performing Arts Family Theatre presents Scrooge: the Musical December 9-17 in the Main Street Theatre, 3235 N. Main St. in Prescott Valley. For tickets visit PVPerformingArts.org.
