Holiday magic came to life in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) with the Arcadia Stage production of A Christmas Carol on Nov. 13, 14, and 15. The play proved to be a community favorite, with all shows sold out and the PAC filled to the brim with excited audience members each night.
Directed and adapted by Ms. Whitney LaBarge, the play embraced the value of time, self-reflection, and keeping the magic of Christmas alive.
“With this script, I really wanted to focus on the themes of time— how we spend our time, waste our time, and how we want to be remembered when our time is done,” said Ms. LaBarge. “It’s never too late to rewrite our stories, to become who we want to be.”
The play follows the classic tale of greedy miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who mistreats the poor and shows little sympathy toward his employees. On Christmas Eve, he is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and transported across timelines by each of them to revisit his past, see the hardships of people in the present, and glimpse his doomed future. He acknowledges the error of his ways after realizing his advantageous position in society and how he could be helping people instead of tearing them down, and wakes up the next morning a changed man.
The Advanced Theatre class worked tirelessly alongside Ms. LaBarge, Artistic Director Mr. Steven Volpe, and choreographer Jean Michelle Sayeg, pouring hours into rehearsal after school. Throughout all the hard work, the bond between the students stayed strong, and their chemistry was evident on stage, too.
“It was long, but always fun! Every day we’d go from 3:45-6:00 p.m., and tech would go until 10 p.m. But I loved spending time with my friends on stage dancing and singing, or off-stage just talking and laughing about anything,” said senior Faith Huang, who played the Ghost of Christmas Past.
Behind the scenes, Stagecraft students worked to design sets, costumes, lights, and sound, while the stage managers made sure each run went smoothly. Alongside Technical Director Mr. Keith DeLuca and Costume Design Instructor Ms. Angela Eads, the crew helped bring each scene to life through meticulous planning and discipline.
“The costume crew spent months in advanced brainstorming ideas for the show’s themes and doing research to maintain the historical accuracy of the show. We pulled from our already existing costumes closet but then we also made a few new costumes. I worked on the costume for the carolers and then also hemmed skirts and coats for some of the main cast,” said Stagecraft member junior Allison Chen.
One of the highlights of the set was the incredibly designed Ghost of Christmas Future, a larger-than-life ghoul that towered over the actors with a dark cloak, glowing eyes, and skeletal hands that created a mix of approaching dread and mystery.
“The Ghost of Christmas Future was so eerie and totally unforgettable,” said junior Juhi Kakarla. “I heard the gasps around us when it glided onstage.”
Despite how impressive it looked, the ghost is a little simpler than people think.
“There are three actors that mount the puppet– one for the head, and one for each side of the body. The mask was constructed separately, and the large cloak is only to hide the actors,” said Stage Right Stage Manager junior Johnathan Villegas.
The soundtrack for the last number of Act 1, “Time,” was designed by the show’s Musical Director, Mr. Allen Everman, and the efforts of each crew member melded together to produce an impressive outcome.
“My favorite part would definitely have to be the musical number ‘Time.’ I just love the dance, the song, the lighting, literally everything about this number is so eerie and it really makes my role very powerful and impactful,” said Huang.
On closing night, the Arcadia Stage officer team presented each adult who brought the play to life with flower bouquets, relaying speeches of gratitude and letting the spotlight shine on them, too.
“Being able to celebrate the success of my friends in both the Theatre and Stagecraft classes was great,” said Villegas. “Knowing that thousands of people appreciated the work we put into the show is an incredible feeling.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF DCI
