How to go
WHAT : “Ebony Scrooge: A Modern Christmas Carol”
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17
WHERE: Fairfield Community Arts Centre, 411 Wessell Drive, Fairfield
COST: $2
FAIRFIELD — Long before the season’s first snow fell, the children of the City of Fairfield’s Theater A to Z class have been dreaming of an “Ebony” Christmas.
For about three months now, 17 youths ages 7 to 11 have been studying acting in the Kids in the Spotlight Youth Theatre program, which ends Thursday, Dec. 17, with the presentation of “Ebony Scrooge,” a modern-day twist on “A Christmas Carol” in which Scrooge is a female.
The kids had their final dress rehearsal Wednesday night ahead of the performance at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Fairfield Community Arts Center.
The overall thrust of the story is the same as usual, but in this version, Ebony Scrooge (Maddie Land) is a miserly restaurant owner, and some of the Christmas ghosts are different, too. The Ghost of Christmas Past (Adam Hesselbrock) is a hippie type, and the Ghost of Christmas Present (Barrett Barlow) is dressed like Santa Claus. And at one point, Madonna’s “Material Girl” plays in the background.
“The only kind of change I like is the kind that goes in my pocket,” Ebony boasts, in the show. However, there has been positive change from the actors since the course began.
“They’re a million times better than when they first ran through it. They worked really hard to remember their lines and everybody’s doing a good job,” said April Osborne, program instructor.
“I like all the props, it’s fun to use them,” said Paige Feltner, 8, who plays a nun and Ebony’s mom. “We get to use canes and cell phones,” she added, pointing out the cell phones don’t actually work.
“I hope people like the story,” said Olivia Hicks, 9, who plays a caroler and a party guest.
“I hope people come and tell their friends about it,” said Caitlyn Cunningham, 8, who plays a relative.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.
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