On Nov.14, 15, and 16 the MHS Theatre Company’s cast and crew of “A Christmas Carol” adapted by Michael Paller from the story by Charles Dickens, will take the stage! 

The cast began long hours of rehearsals and preparation in mid-September and have slowly added in tech and stage crews for the many scene changes and sound effects throughout the play. 

While the actors and actresses make up roughly 50 members of the team, about 20 more are children aged kindergarten through eighth grade. An MHS play has never had this number of non-high school students in a production before. 

Apart from the children learning more about the dynamics of theater and performing, they have also found new mentors along the way within the high schoolers. Assistant Student Director, Eli Hughes, said that he was nervous initially but thinks adding the younger kids “brought the whole show together in more ways than one”. 

The show not only features classic characters such as Scrooge, played by junior Abby Drummond-Alston, or Tiny Tim, played by kindergartener Alex Zawadzki, but also Charles Dickens’ family who reenacts the timeless tale. 

Senior Natalie Rydzewski, who plays Charles Dickens, explained that although it’s a bittersweet moment as her last play at the high school, she has had so much fun working on this show. 

“The cast is so amazing and talented. I also just love the show because it’s nostalgic. In this edition, Charles Dickens and his family are present in the story and help it progress. It also delves into so many aspects of a classic tale,” said Rydzewski.    

There is also a small number of featured dancers who fulfill both the eerie and magical feel of the story with the beautiful choreography needed to move along the story with fabulous costumes and a fog machine. 

A plethora of freshmen have also joined the cast and crew this year. Josh Steiner, a member of the Class of 2029, plays Fezziwig. 

“Christmas Carol has been such a fun experience and I seriously could not be happier with this being my first show at the high school,” he said.

While A Christmas Carol is a story told many times, the Methacton Theatre Company has brought it to life in a whole new way. There are modern-day effects, dances, costumes and overall set production that give the play a whole new twist. 

Students and adults can purchase tickets for the productions here: https://events.hometownticketing.com/organization/a829c5a6-d6b8-4a2c-8e7b-9e108978ce5b