Classic tale aims to spread the Christmas spirit at Modesto’s Gallo Center
“Humbugs” or not, a holiday classic aims to put audiences in the Christmas spirit at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
Modesto Performing Arts presents “A Christmas Carol” Nov. 26-28 in the Gallo Center’s Foster Family Theatre.
MPA had planned a production last year of the classic tale, but the pandemic shut it down, General Director Paul Tischer said in an email interview.
“So we’re doing it this year. It has a large cast. And it is a thrilling and emotional story to tell with a multitude of colorful characters including Bob Crachit and his family,” he said. “And who can’t stifle a smile when they hear Scrooge’s “Bah, humbug”? It wouldn’t be Christmas without it!”
The Modesto company has presented “A Christmas Carol” several times over the years because of its popularity, Tischer said. The last time was in 2017.
Based on the short story by Charles Dickens, the play is a tale of the redemption of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a miser who not only despises Christmas, but people in general.
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts, those of Christmas past, present and future.
“The revelations shown to him by the ghosts reveal that Scrooge really does have a heart after all,” said a press release from MPA.
Tischer will direct the production, which features a cast of more than 40.
“This production is a faithful adaptation of the book,” according to the release. “Much of the dialogue comes directly from the book. And the settings and the costumes will be faithful to the London of the Victorian era.”
On Christmas Eve, Scrooge gets angry at his employee Bob Crachit, belittles his nephew for inviting him to a Christmas party and spurns requests for charity.
After arriving home for the night, he’s visited by his former business partner, the now-dead Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that he’ll be haunted by three more ghosts.
The Ghost of Christmas Past reminds Scrooge of Christmases from his younger days, including an unhappy childhood and as a young man who chooses money over love.
The Ghost of Christmas Present takes Scrooge to Crachit’s house, where he sees his ailing son, Tiny Tim. The ghost also takes him to his nephew’s joyful Christmas party.
The Ghost of Christmas Future shows Scrooge visions of his own death, which deeply frighten him.
The visitations show Scrooge his life’s errors. When he wakes on Christmas Day, he is filled with holiday spirit and makes amends for his misdeeds.
Audiences find the story popular because the “theme of redemption is universal,” Tischer said. “The story is completely in the spirit of Christmas. We all feel delighted and relieved when the miserly Scrooge is shown the errors of his ways. And, of course, the theatrics of the story (are) compelling and highly entertaining.”
Tischer said the apparitions are “all presented in a highly theatrical manner with eerie stage, lighting and sound special effects.”
There also are “characters you can definitely empathize with,” he said, including 8-year-old Tiny Tim, who walks with a crutch.
While MPA is known for its musicals, “A Christmas Carol” is not one, though there will be holiday carols sung in the play.
Reprising their roles from previous productions are Jimmy Gonzales, who will star as Scrooge; Marty Cox as the ghost of Jacob Marley; Ray Leverett as the Ghost of Christmas Past; and Dave Cooper as Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s cheerful boss when he was a young man.
The play is appropriate for ages 8 and older, according to the release.
This is the second offering from MPA since the Gallo Center reopened. The theater group, which is one of the venue’s resident companies, presented “West Side Story” in August. The musical also had been planned for 2020.
“Our return to the stage has been nothing short of terrific,” Tischer said. Five performances of “West Side Story” were scheduled but they all sold out, so MPA added a sixth performance that also was nearly full.
Ticket sales for “A Christmas Carol” also are going well and an extra performance already has been added, he said.
Next up, MPA will present “A Chorus Line” and “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in the summer of 2022.
“People seem to be dying to get back into the (theater). And so are we,” Tischer said.
“A Christmas Carol” plays Nov. 26-27 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 27-28 at 2 p.m. at the Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. Tickets are $24-$29, on sale at the Gallo Center or by calling 338-2100.
