Holiday Season Begins with Chariho High School Theatre Company’s "A Christmas Carol"

Ringing in the holiday season, the Chariho High School Theatre Company presented the holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" for the first weekend in December.

This traditional story follows a misanthrope named Ebenezer Scrooge. He is the owner of an accounting house where he employs his long-time associate Bob Cratchit. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge reluctantly agrees to give Cratchit Christmas off, but he is not glad about it. On that same night, Scrooge is met by three ghosts: the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Each of them teach Scrooge the valuable lesson that Christmas is about being generous and cherishing the love between people.

Veteran to the Drama Club and junior, Avery Moody played the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Like usual, Moody did a fantastic job playing the reclusive, hateful, and eventually merry Ebenezer Scrooge. Playing alongside Moody was sophomore, Conner Pierce who played Bob Cratchit. Once again, Pierce had a sensational performance playing a father character with sensibility, emotion, and generosity. Now to the Ghosts of Christmas. The Ghost of Christmas Past was played by freshman Sarah Frost, the Ghost of Christmas Present was played by sophomore Andrew Ackroyd, and the Ghost of Christmas Future was played by sophomore Dalton Stone. All of the Ghosts did a phenomenal job guiding Scrooge to realize what he had to change to understand the true meaning of Christmas. Also, some other notable cast members include Bailey Wicklund as Scrooge’s brother Fred, Hunter Humeston Fezziwig, and Mak Laterza as Ms. Cratchit. These supporting characters and all the other cast members did a superb job presenting the classic story of "A Christmas Carol."

Avery Moody who played Ebenezer Scrooge said, “I’m really proud of my cast members. It’s a big old family we have over there and they all mean so much to me. And to not only have them there to help build me up for the role but to also know that they can do just fine on their own… it makes me really happy to know how much talent that we have.”

“Seeing how many people came to see the performances, there were so many people that are aware of that talent as well and are willing to support the arts.” Moody went on to say.

The actor who played the Ghost of Christmas Present, Andrew Ackroyd described his experience by saying, “I'll have memories that this amazing cast has given me for years. They were amazing.”

The masterminds behind this play were director and choreographer Mrs. Burns, assistant director Ms. Hall, and musical director Colin Burns. When asked about the decision behind "A Christmas Carol," Burns explains, “Growing up, my family would go see 'A Christmas Carol' every year. It has always been my favorite play and I couldn't think of a better show to select for my first directing experience. The cast shared my love for 'A Christmas Carol' as well, so it was the perfect fit.”

One of the most distinctive parts of the show was how accurate the sets and costumes represented this Victorian Era in London. The set was made by David Hayes but was painted by fellow cast and crew members of the Chariho High School Theatre Company. Instead of starring in the show, senior Melissa Hayes designed all the costumes that were in the show. While most of the costumes that appeared in the show were donated by Rhode Island Youth Theatre, Hayes hand-crafted the costumes of the three Ghosts of Christmas as a part of an Independent Study. While these looks may seem different to the present, the appearances in the play were very accurate to what someone might have worn during the Victorian London 1800s.

As anticipated, audience members gave a standing ovation to the show and all of its’ cast members.

“I hope audience take away what the true meaning of Christmas is: it’s not the material or commercial value – that nowadays it seems to be – and that it is about the bonds between friends and

family and caring for your neighbor no matter who or what they are,” said Avery Moody.

As Tiny Tim eloquently observed, “God bless us, everyone!”