A can’t miss classic: “A Christmas Carol”

A true feast for the senses, with it’s beautiful music, costumes and vivid lights and sets, UWF’s “A Christmas Carol” will have audiences saying anything but “bah humbug” this holiday season.

The UWF Center for Fine and Performing Arts and Department of Theatre will present the community-wide production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” in the Mainstage Theatre at 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 and 2:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and active military and $10 for UWF faculty and staff and non-UWF students. UWF student admission is free with a valid Nautilus card. As a service to the community, the CFPA will collect non-perishable food items each show for the Manna Food Bank.

“This is a timeless and classic story,” said Geoffrey Bleeker, director. “The redemption of someone no one thinks could possibly change. For families, it’s a wonderful show to add to their holiday traditions; for students, it’s a great way to end the semester with something fun and fantastical.”

Adapted for the stage by Kevin P. Kern, assistant professor of Theatre, the play tells the story of Scrooge, an old and bitter miser, who is visited by four ghosts on Christmas Eve, teaching him kindness and compassion. Although not a musical adaptation, the story is guided by four caroling narrators, who assist in the story telling.

“With the second year of the production, we want to build on the successes that last year’s director and actors had, creating a Pensacola tradition,” said Bleeker. “The goal is to keep some of the great moments from previous productions while still making it fresh and exciting for audiences to see again and again.”

“Kevin’s adaptation stays very true to the spirit of the original Dickens novella,” added Bleeker. “Scrooge is taken through vignettes of his past, present and future in ways that really play to how he became the miserly curmudgeon he is and show his humanity.”

This year’s production will feature local actor Don Goodrum as Scrooge and includes adults, UWF students and children from the local area. The set and lights are designed by Charles Houghton, chair of the Department of Theatre. Glenn Avery Breed, assistant professor, designed the costumes with Corey Stano, UWF student, who designed the ghosts for this year’s production.

“The cast is made up of 19 students, four fantastic children, three community members and one faculty member,” said Bleeker. “They’re incredibly diverse in age and experience, and watching them learn from each other has been an absolute joy.”

To purchase tickets in advance, contact the CFPA Box Office at (850) 857-6285 or to purchase tickets online, visit uwf.edu/theatre.

By Megan Tyson, University Marketing Communications