Description

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This multigenerational production of Rebecca Ryland and Bill Francoeur’s musical adaptation of Dicken’s classic tale involving the curmudgeonly and miserly Ebenezer Scrooge includes traditional holiday classics and many new uplifting songs. Scrooge himself, of course, sings “Bah, Humbug!”  Marley’s Ghost chimes in with “Chains.”  Ebenezer’s sister Fanny joins him in “One Last Christmas.” “God Bless Us, Everyone!” proclaims the Cratchit family and the ever-hopeful Tiny Tim. The community then celebrates Scrooge’s demise with “He’s Dead and Buried,” but all turns out well as Scrooge finally learns that “Life Was Meant to Live.”

The production team is looking for boys and girls ages 9 to 16 and adult men and women ages 17 to 80. Families are welcome and encouraged to audition together. Those auditioning should bring a head shot, photo, or a school picture. Those auditioning should also bring a list of all conflicts they may have during the rehearsal period. Everyone will be asked to sing up to 32 measures of a favorite holiday song a cappella, read a scene or monologue from the script, and learn a short group movement routine.

The first read-through will be Friday or Saturday, October 12 or 13, with rehearsals beginning Monday, October 15. Rehearsals will be held on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 6 to 9 p.m., with occasional Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. There will be 12 performances given November 30-December 16 on Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 1 and 4 p.m., as well a Sundays at 2 p.m.

There will be a $40 performance fee for each actor selected, which is due at the first rehearsal/parents meeting. Scholarships are available, if needed.

Director John Kunik staged last season’s production of “Once Upon a Mattress” at The Phipps and is excited to work with The Phipps Children’s Theater. He has directed nearly 50 productions in the Twin Cities metro area and acted in nearly 100.

Ezelda Hasapopoulos has served as the music director for several Phipps productions, including the 2014 production of “Bah Humbug!,” and the Woodbury Community Theatre. She has a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and a master’s degree in music education.

Choreographer Chris Adam worked with Kunik on “Once Upon a Mattress” and has performed at the center on many occasions. He instructs dance fitness classes at the YMCA in Hudson and on campus in River Falls.

For further information, contact The Phipps Center at 715.386.2305.