Another View of ‘A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley’

"Sprinkle kindness on everyone you meet," said the Ghost of Christmas Present. Even with the snow showering down on Saturday night, Unionville High School certainly sprinkled their audience with Christmas spirit in their production of A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley.

With Charles Dickens' famous 1843 tale as a basis, playwright Israel Horovitz told the same classic story of miserable Ebenezer Scrooge and the three Christmas ghosts. This time, however, Horovitz chose Scrooge's dead business partner Jacob Marley as the narrator, giving the role significantly more stage time and adding a new perspective to the account.

Unionville's production was full of life and emotion. The entire cast portrayed their roles with dedication and determination.

Scrooge (Michael Rosenberg) had a range of emotions; from a grumpy geezer in the first act to a chipper man by the play's end, Rosenberg played his role well. Marley (Domingo Mancuello) was a combination of the classic eery spector and Horovitz's humorous storyteller. Mancuello truly embodied the seven-year-dead spook; from his odd sense of humor to his booming voice and awkward walk, he fully developed his character.

While the main players had the most amount of stage time, the supporting cast members also made their mark on the production. Most of them played multiple roles. The main role for Haley Janczuk, for instance, was the charismatic Ghost of Christmas Present. However, her portrayal of Scrooge's Lost Love really showcased her acting skills. Her emotion was real and effective, and stood out from the rest of the characters.

Throughout the show, a chorus of carolers sung Christmas carols to lighten the mood. Their presence was Unionville's own unique touch to their show, and it worked to their benefit. The portrayals of the members of the Cratchit family, likewise, felt genuine and unrehearsed. During their scene in the future, their performances broke the hearts of many as they cried into each other's arms. Their commitment and sincerity proved effective.

The technical crews had a tough task on their hands, but rose to the occasion. The sound was overall audible, and the lighting effects were very professionally done. With only a few microphone issues and some missed lighting cues, the teams did a successful job with setting the scenes.

With A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, Unionville students conveyed the true meaning of the holidays. They expressed the importance of family and benevolence toward others in the production. And, as Tiny Tim would say, "God Bless Us, Everyone!"