On Stage Playhouse presents holiday show starting December 5
From left: Abby Lynn Welchel, John Miller and Paxton Channell – Photo by Ragan Weese
The community is invited to join the fun at On Stage Playhouse’s upcoming holiday show, presented in special arrangement by Dramatists Play Service, Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Monroe Christmas Show, directed by Marc Hammes and Ragan Weese.
Hammes describes the show as a “fast, funny, and highly theatrical reimagining” of the holiday favorite. “All of the traditional elements of (Charles) Dickens’ A Christmas Carol are intact – including the iconic ghosts of Christmases Past, Present and Future – but with a comic local twist,” Hammes elaborated.
Abby Lynn Whelchel is “a full time fourth grade student at Atha Road Elementary” and will be portraying the Ghost of Christmas Present, Gertrude, Maxine, Team Captain and the Narrator. Although she has participated in youth workshops in the past, this will be Whelchel’s first time performing in a full-length show with On Stage.
“I have done two kids’ workshops. I thought it would be fun because it is the first play that isn’t a workshop,” Whelchel explained. When asked what she feels has been the most fun aspect of the show, she said, “I love when people make silly mistakes. I like the bloopers.”
The most difficult part for Whelchel has been remembering the blocking, which refers to the movements and stage positions of the actors. Whelchel believes the audience will enjoy the laughs most, saying, “It is a great Christmas show filled with comedy.”
Bob Newton, 68, is no stranger to performing, although this is his first play with On Stage.
“I’ve done plays at Social Circle Theater, Conyers’ New Depot, and Snellville’s New London. Altogether, (I’ve performed) maybe 14 (shows) previously,” Newton expressed. What Newton enjoys most about community theatre is “meeting people in the community and making lifelong friends.”
When asked to describe live theatre to someone who has never attended a performance, Newton said, “Live community theatre is like a wedding, you never know what’s going to happen!”
Newton has been cast in the roles of Jacob Marley and Mr. Fezziwigg.
Tanner Brown will be playing Tiny Tim, Young Scrooge, Purser, Isaac and the Ghost of Christmases Yet to Come in his second On Stage performance. His first performance was also a Christmas production when he portrayed Scut Farkas in A Christmas Story. Brown is currently a student at Georgia State University Perimeter College, Newton Campus.
“Since I am in college working on getting my theatre degree, I wanted to start somewhere small for a while and work my way up,” Brown explained.
Brown believes the audience will enjoy the show and how Tiny Tim shows the true spirit of Christmas.
“He (Tiny Tim) has a small but big role when it comes to A Christmas Carol itself and, despite what he is going through, sees the cheerful side of things while being full of Christmas spirit,” Brown said, adding, “I look forward to seeing you come to this amazing show that our amazing director has got going for you! We hope you come see this wonderful, heart-warming classic, but with a City of Monroe twist!”
Tickets are $20 and will go on sale online at onstagewalton.org or at Carmichael’s Pharmacy beginning Nov. 21. Carmichael’s Pharmacy is located at 150 MLK Jr Blvd in Monroe. Performances include 8 pm on December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20; 2 pm on December 14 and 21; and 7:30 pm on December 16. The show on December 16 is the “$10 Tuesday” performance when tickets are half price.
More information is available online at onstagewalton.org.
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