“We came about ‘A Christmas Carol’ through a member of the Middletown Lyric Theatre, Jeff Smith. He has done several shows with us as an actor, and he gave me his adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’ several years ago. Over the summer, he trimmed it down to one act, and what’s unique is it’s really from Scrooge’s perspective,” said Charley Shafor, managing artistic director of the theatre and director of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ ”
Smith, a Springboro resident and director of “A Christmas Carol,” kept the real language of Dickens when he wrote it. We hope audiences will come and appreciate the story of “A Christmas Carol,” he said.
“While it’s still traditional ‘A Christmas Carol,’ we have our own flavor to it, and being miniaturized, we are going from place to place seamlessly,” Shafor said.
The cast features eleven actors and actresses, who play multiple roles. Because it’s a condensed version, each scene moves quickly. Scrooge will be played by Glenn Schaich, a new member of Middletown Lyric Theatre. Nine of those same cast members will also star in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Shafor said guests will have an opportunity to bring the entire family and double the holiday fun. Act one will feature a new version of the Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol,” which has been adapted exclusively for Middletown Lyric Theatre. Then, the second act will showcase another holiday favorite “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The show will appeal to audiences of all ages.
Shafor said both shows touch on what the true meaning of Christmas is all about.
“I’m a huge fan of the Peanuts characters. I’ve been collecting them since I was a kid, and I’ve always been passionate and close to them. Then, we were talking to Jeff and we came up with bringing two iconic productions to the stage that you can bring all ages to,” Shafor said.
Because these are two approachable pieces of theater, I’m hoping it will bring people to the theater that have never been before, he said, and they can experience live theater without having to spend a lot of money. It’s affordable, and accessible for guests.
“I think for both shows, I hope after you come, and you’ve spent time with whoever you chose to come with that you’ll stop and appreciate people, and the holiday, and you’ll have a moment together,” Shafor said.
How to go
What: Middletown Lyric Theatre will present “A Christmas Carol” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
When: 8 p.m Friday, Dec. 9; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10; 8 p.m. next Friday, Dec. 16; and 3 p.m. next Saturday, Dec. 17
Where: Middletown Lyric Theatre, 1530 Central Ave., Middletown
Admission: Tickets are $15. All seats reserved. Advance purchase recommended.
More info: Online at www.middletownlyric.org or call (513) 425-7140
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