Indian Hills to present ‘A Christmas Carol’

Charles Dickens’ classic, A Christmas Carol, is as relevant for us today as it was in his own time, when it was a massive hit.

A Christmas Carol will be performed on the Indian Hills Community College stage in St. John Auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 5; Friday, Dec. 6; and Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. each evening. While the performance is free, the directors encourage you to make your reservations early at https://events.hometownticketing.com/organization/3096ed2c-896c-425d-960b-3ec61ad0a4d9

In the spirit of the season, the cast and crew ask that audience members “Don’t be a Scrooge” and make a freewill donation to Wally’s Pantry or Wally’s Closet in the form of winter coats, canned food, or cash for Indian Hills students in need. Donations will be collected at each performance.

Director Dr. Jennifer Boyenga says, “It is great to return to St. John Auditorium following our building renovation for this wonderful holiday favorite. Our students have enjoyed bringing to life these well-known characters and reinforce their commitment to the story’s message.”

Dicken’s first printing of A Christmas Carol sold out the first printing of 6000 copies between Dec. 19 and 24, 1843. This perennial favorite features Ebenezer Scrooge, a selfish miser who transforms into a caring and compassionate human being after visitations from his late partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

The cast for the show includes Demetrius Mitchell of Harvey, Illinois, as the mean-spirited Scrooge, Hannah Bridgman of Bloomfield as Charles Dickens, Diego Solorio as Scrooge’s put-upon clerk Bob Cratchett and Young Scrooge, Grace Haring as The Ghost of Christmas Past and Mrs. Cratchett, Ben Guise of Packwood as the Marley’s Ghost and the Ghost of Christmas Present, Elexis Perry of Bloomfield as the Ghost of Christmas Future, T.J. Lada of Marshalltown as the Cratchett’s disabled son Tiny Tim, Kolbe Workman as Scrooge’s jolly nephew Fred, Sydney Meierotto of Bonaparte as Fred’s wife Sara, Lizzie Hootman of Fairfield as Young Scrooge’s former fiance Belle, Kati Williams as Scrooge’s sister Fran, Prestin Puckett of Kirksville, Missouri as Old Joe and Fezziwig, Ashlynn Hamilton of Centerville as a thieving laundress, Bella Earnest of Hedrick as the charwoman, Samantha Zuel of Chariton as the undertaker, John Shirley of Bloomfield as Dick Williams, Lydia Oldfield of Centerville as Mrs. Fezziwig, Jay Purkeypile of Keota as a Gentleman, and Rihannan Baer of Ottumwa as Topper.

Says technical director Dr. Ray Slavens, “From a technical point of view, this show is a challenge, with multiple locations and several special lighting and sound effects. Being back in St. John allows our students more flexibility in designing and implementing these effects.”

The technical crew for the show includes Trenton Patton of Burlington as stage manager and sound board operator, River Hibma of Pleasantville as stage manager, Callie Wollinger of Waupun, Wisconsin as light board operator, and crew members McKenna Baskett of Ottumwa, Monica Gruman of Grinnell, Erin Wilson of Indianola, Jeorgia Knepp of Washington, Shyanne Fleming of Central City, Marc Moretti of Stockport, and Josie Sturtz of Albia.

This adaptation of A Christmas Carol, written by John Jakes and published in 1998, is produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company, Woodstock, Illinois.