Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' comes to life in Perry
Any musical the Perry Players Community Theatre puts on seems to be a big hit.
It is no exception for "A Christmas Carol: The Musical," which is directed by Hunter Hufnagel. Hufnagel also directed "Oliver!" and "The Addams Family."
With less than two months to put on a Christmas production, Hufnagel chose the musical because he had performed it at Houston County High School a few years ago.
"It was a big success there," he said.
Many of the same actors and actresses tried out for the same parts so it made it easier to make the production work in such a short period of time.
The familiar Charles Dickens story was adopted for Broadway in the 1990s and was made into a Hallmark movie in 2004.
The theater had to add an extra date for the show as the performances were sold out two weeks before opening.
"We've never had anything like this before," Hufnagel said.
Directing and acting are challenging especially when the director has the lead role of Scrooge.
Hufnagel played the part at Houston County and returned to the role for Perry's performances.
His makeup takes about an hour to put on when he turns from a young adult to a grouchy old man complete with wrinkles, gray hair and salt-n-pepper sideburns.
Stuart Appleton plays the overworked and underpaid Bob Cratchit.
Appleton is no stranger to the story.
He used to read the Dickens classic every Christmas to his children with different voices for each of the characters.
"The story itself draws people with its universal message," Appleton said.
The set is as elaborate as the many tightly choreographed ensemble music numbers. The musical director is Michael Stewart and the choreographer is Alyssa Lorenz.
Hufnagel praised his cast saying they are "mega talented."
Not only are there talented voices, but the numbers are performed in costumes that transport the theater-goer back to Victorian England.
The tale itself, though, is the major draw.
"Everybody can relate to Scrooge. Even though people might not want to admit it, it pokes us in our conscience," Appleton said.
It is a story that even the most bah-humbug person can be redeemed.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Where: Perry Players, 909 Main St., Perry
When: Dec. 17-20 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at 1 p.m. and Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults are $18, children from 4-18, military and seniors are $15 and groups of 10 or more are $12.
Reservations can be made at www.perryplayers.org or by calling 478-987-5354.
This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Dickens classic 'A Christmas Carol' comes to life in Perry ."