An oncologist, a coroner, a banker, teachers and financial planners. Many people from different walks of life are crossing paths to bring community theater to Muncie during the holiday season.
Beginning this weekend, "Scrooge!" will take over the mainstage at the Muncie Civic Theatre. Laura Williamson directed the musical, which was written by Leslie Bricusse and is based around the classic Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol."
Williamson, who has been involved with the theatre for four years, said she finds the production interesting. She said "Scrooge!" was originally a film that was later adapted into a Broadway show. Her love for the film led her and her husband to be a director and a musical director, respectively.
"The classic story of ‘A Christmas Carol' is so woven into ‘Scrooge!'" Williamson said. "This production, however, focuses more on Scrooge, his past and how he changes over time. In the end, he looks outside of himself and at what life has to offer."
Sophomore theatre and social work double major Bridget Bramlett is bringing a student's point of view to the production. She plays the role of Helen, the wife of Scrooge's nephew, Fred.
"My character reminds Scrooge of someone he once knew," she said. "That someone is Isabel, Scrooge's true love whom he lost because of his greed. Isabel wanted love, and her love couldn't be bought."
Bramlett said she wanted to be involved with "Scrooge!" to meet new people and grow closer to the Muncie community. She described it as a great opportunity for experience. She said this production is different from others because she gets to work with and see a variety of people with different experiences.
"From this production, I have learned to be grateful for everything I have," Bramlett said. "We should always be appreciative for what we have because it can be taken away, and that would be a tragic experience. We should also realize those around us care about and love us, and we should be grateful for them."
There are approximately 50 people in the all-ages cast, said Williamson. It's enough to create the feeling of a town on stage, she said.
"I love the realness it displays on stage," Williamson said.
Junior dance major Heather Closson adds to the town as a member of the dance ensemble. She not only dances but also sings a little to support the overall theme in each scene.
Closson said she enjoys the change of pace and the different sense of community that the theatre offers. By being involved, Closson said she has learned to communicate with a wide variety of actors. She said her biggest challenges were balancing her time and personal life while balancing her commitments to "Scrooge!" and school.
"My favorite part of being in ‘Scrooge!' is just being on the stage, performing and bringing this story to life," she said. "There are a lot of family elements in the show, and my time with it has made me appreciate my family more, even though we are not a very traditional family. You [have] just got to hold on and appreciate what you have."
Phoebe Wantz, who performs as the Ghost of Christmas Past, said the Muncie Civic Theatre is holding a food drive in connection to the musical. She said the Board of Directors is asking those attending a show to bring a nonperishable food item with them to the show. The collected items will then be equally donated to two local charities: Christian Ministries and St. Lawrence Catholic Church Food Bank.
"Unfortunately, during these hard economic times, the food banks are down in donations and food supplies," Wantz said. "Pleas are out from all the agencies and churches for donations. Muncie Civic wants to join in the holiday spirit and community spirit with this easy way to help two groups who help our community."
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