When the cast of Indiana Public Radio's "A Christmas Carol" takes the stage at Pruis Hall this weekend, they hope to bring more than just a dose of holiday cheer.
They want to make history come to life.
The cast will perform for the audience dressed, not as Charles Dickens' famous characters, but as 1940s radio actors.
Marcus Jackman, IPR general manager and executive producer of "A Christmas Carol," said the idea for the retro-style show came a year ago, in large part, from then-digital storytelling graduate student Brian Boswell.
"He's a radio and audio gearhead," Jackman said. "He loves the medium — loves the storytelling part."
In 2008, Boswell worked with associate professor of telecommunications Nancy Carlson to market the idea as a fundraiser for IPR.
"And if you say ‘fundraiser' to me, I say, ‘Let's do it,'" Jackman said. "And it was good for our mission and our audience as well. It was something that people would enjoy and expect to hear only on public radio."
But for its sophomore effort, Jackman said "A Christmas Carol" has evolved.
For one, the show has a new director: Benjamin Lancaster who, like his predecessor, is a graduate student in the digital storytelling program. But unlike Boswell, Lancaster is not a radio buff.
"My background's in live theater," Lancaster said. "Audio is the farthest thing I've ever done. But I've worked with actors and I've worked with storytelling in that way. So that's kind of what I'm bringing to the project this year."
Or as Jackman puts it, Lancaster has "real dramatic chops."
"We were lacking that," Jackman added. "We had a good show last year, but we're taking it further and building on the success and moving in a more dramatic fashion. And it's a different show."
For example, this year the show is utilizing practical sound. This means instead of relying on digital sound effects, cast members will use props on stage to simulate noises like actors did in the '40s.
Megan Andrews, a junior animation major who will play Mrs. Cratchit, said that is part of the appeal for her.
"I have been a fan of Old Time Radio for many years," she said. "I listen to old broadcasts from the '30s and '40s while I work on my projects ... I have always wished I could be a part of a radio drama or play, but thinking I was born in the wrong decade, I thought my chance would never come."
But Andrews said the show isn't just for history lovers.
"It's a perfect story that has relevance even in today's world. Each one of us could take to heart the lessons learned by Ebenezer Scrooge," she said. "If you want to get in the holiday spirit and be truly entertained by not only actors on a stage, but by your own imagination, then this is the show for you."
"A Christmas Carol" will be performed Saturday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. A discussion will be held for the live studio audience at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for students. They can be purchased at the Emens box office or at ticketmaster.com.
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