Community theater group to stage popular Christmas play Saturday

Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Andy Wells in the Marshall Community Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol," gives his niece Freida, played by Dawn Wheeler, a sarcastic answer concerning her ideas about the celebration of Christmas. The play will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, in the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre at Missouri Valley College. [Click to enlarge]

Scrooge is back, and with the same "Bah-humbug" attitude as always.

This year in the Marshall Community Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol," Andy Wells of Marshall will be playing the part of the miserly old businessman. He will star, along with a cast of about 16 others, in the production set for 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Eckilson-Mabee Theatre on the Missouri Valley College Campus.

Directed by Angie Wells, and in part by Andy Wells, the play is free but audience members are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or cash donation to support the Community Food Pantry, Saline County Habitat for Humanity and the Lighthouse Shelter.

"We've been doing this play at Christmastime for the past four or five years, because it's a good version in the sense that it's not long and it doesn't require the actors to put in as much time practicing, which is a good thing around the holidays," Angie Wells said.

The approximately hour-long production has become a community theater tradition that Wells believes leaves people with a "feel-good" attitude.

"My favorite part is when Scrooge realizes it's still Christmas Day and he can still change his ways," Wells said.

A new performer this year, Angie Wells' sister Dawn Wheeler, will be Freida in the play, acting the part of Scrooge's niece.

"No matter what, she always loves (Scrooge)," Wheeler said. "But he would rather I not bother him."

Several children also have roles in the play, with some of them new to the theater and some returning. Two sets of siblings will be staging parts they know well. The Brennan brothers, Jordan, Kieran and Colin, will play Cratchit brothers, and although Sara DePaoli will be playing Tiny Tim, she will still be a sibling to her real-life sister, Kate.

Sara's favorite part of the play is when the ghost of Jacob Marley visits Scrooge.

"He gets all scared," she said, practicing her Tiny Tim limp.

Contact Naomi Campbell at

marshallfaith@socket.net