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No “Bah Humbugs” with ‘A Christmas Carol’

The Christmas spirits are in the air and will be hitting the stage for a series of performances of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.
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The long awaited play A Christmas Carol will begin its performances on Dec. 5. Above is a scene from a dress rehearsal where Ebenezer Scrooge (Fred Hiebert) wakes up a changed man on Christmas morning which baffles everyone he knows.

The Christmas spirits are in the air and will be hitting the stage for a series of performances of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol.

With a large talented cast, good music, sound and lighting, beautiful costumes, an experienced and gifted director and an incredible set the musical is sure to be a success.

Directed by Lori Kirchner and presented by Klaglahachie, A Christmas Carol will be in full swing beginning on Dec. 5.

The story centres around an old miser who selfishly hoards everything for himself and thrives on the misery of others. He despises Christmas and giving until a night of visits from three different spirits changes his outlook on life.

His transformation is a shock to the town but his new attitude is soon accepted and celebrated by everyone who was formerly scared of him.

Fred Hiebert, who plays the infamous Ebenezer Scrooge, has been having a great time practicing, rehearsing and working with the rest of those involved.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said Hiebert. “It’s a massive undertaking for an amateur theatre group and it’s been going really well.”

The idea of having this play in Ponoka began shaping since the end of May and casting call began the beginning of June.

The cast has been hard at work rehearsing since the start of September on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays.

Hiebert says they probably average approximately 30 people each rehearsal night and is impressed with how things have been going.

“Everyone has been getting a very good learning experience,” he said. “What happens along the way is just as important as what happens at the end. The journey is just as important as the destination.”

Along with the cast, the crew has been dedicated to the success of this play with the elaborate, well done set, the lighting, sound, costumes, etc.

Hiebert says a lot of work has gone into the play behind the scenes.

“The physical conversion of the sanctuary to the theatre style is a mammoth undertaking,” he said. “The set and the costumes are just amazing.”

Hiebert believes that the musical will not disappoint those who come to see it and that they will be captivated by the story and the energy of the characters.

“To see that number of people in costumes of a different time period, the disbelief is automatically suspended,” he said. “You just buy into the whole thing.”

Klaglahachie’s A Christmas Carol has done an excellent job re-creating the time period and setting reflecting Dicken’s work and Hiebert believes that those who come will notice the efforts that have been put into it.

“I think the main thing that will be noticed is the transport into the time of that day,” he said. “The costumes are excellent. The people who have made them did their research and did a fabulous job.”

Everyone is invited to come out for some Christmas spirit, good entertainment and community while engaging in one of the best Christmas stories ever written.

“The play will give people a whole new perspective on the Dickens story,” said Hiebert. “When all the elements pull together the total package will be amazing.”

The musical will be presented on a series of evenings beginning on Dec. 5. On Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13 the theatre doors open at 7:15 p.m. with the musical beginning at 8 p.m.

An added dinner theatre will be on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. and matinees will be on Dec. 7 and 14 with doors opening at 1:15 p.m. with the show starting at 2 p.m.

Tickets are available through the Ponoka United Church at 403-783-4087.