College of DuPage (COD) College Theater presents Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by William J. Norris and directed by COD Professor of Theater, Amelia Barrett, Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 27-29. This adaptation of "A Christmas Carol" was written by Norris specifically for the students at College of DuPage and performed for the first time in 2004. The 2020 production is being filmed and presented on Zoom.
A mean-spirited old man, a poor but optimistic clerk and three visiting ghosts join forces to take audiences on a magical journey and show the true meaning of the holiday season. Cast members from Chicago area communities are featured in this 70-minute version of a heartwarming classic Christmas story that is perfect for all ages.
“COD College Theater has a long history of staging Norris’ wonderful adaptation of Dickens’ classic story, but this is the first-time audiences will be able to watch our production from their own living room,” says director Barrett. “The production will still feature beautiful period costumes and wonderful special effects and is still sure to warm hearts as it chronicles Scrooge’s transformation from a lonely, cold-hearted soul into a man filled with the joy of the holiday and appreciation of life’s opportunity for change.”
“A Christmas Carol,” was the first of Dickens' very successful Christmas books. It was written during a time when the British were exploring and re-evaluating past Christmas traditions, including carols and newer customs such as Christmas trees. It was published Dec. 19, 1843 and the first edition sold out by Christmas Eve. By the end of 1844, 13 editions had been released. Since then, “A Christmas Carol” has never been out of print and the story has been translated into other languages and adapted many times for radio, film and stage.
The cast for this year’s production features Naperville’s Ameya Patankar as Ebenezer Scrooge (also Fred, Boy Scrooge, Young Scrooge and Ignorance). The Cratchit Family will include Carol Stream’s Chris Talia as Bob Cratchit (also Topper), Wheaton’s Elizabeth Nahulak as Mrs. Cratchit (also Ghost of Christmas Present) and Elk Grove Village’s Jack Knight (Cratchit Children, Oscar). Other members of the cast include West Chicago’s Amy Invanger (Jacob Marley, Ghost of Christmas Past, Mr. Fezziwig), Lisle’s Francesca Brummel (Mrs. Fezziwig, Mrs. Casper, Ambrosia), Warrenville’s Tiana Maravilla (Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Mrs. Creakle), Naperville’s Monica Patankar (Fan, Belle, Elizabeth, Want) and Winfield’s Maya Kaempf (Mrs. Balthazar, Joe, Ursula).
“Both the rehearsal and the staging process has been quite different for this year’s Zoom production compared to what we’ve traditionally done on the expanse of the Belushi stage,” says Director Barrett. “Our artistic/design team worked together to provide each actor with not only costumes but their own remote studio: Green Screen, microphone, camera and adjustable lighting. Many takes of each scene are being recorded on Zoom then, for the final step, they will be compiled together by our video editor to create the show. The end result will be neither a stage play nor a film but something new, more intimate, and nuanced by many of our own observations during this unprecedented time of COVID-19.”
The artistic/design team for “A Christmas Carol” includes Glen Ellyn’s Amelia Barrett (director/COD Professor of Theater), Glen Ellyn’s Jon Gantt (scenic and lighting design), Wheaton’s Kimberly Morris (costume and makeup design), Chicago’s Christopher Kriz (sound design), Aurora’s Michael W. Moon (properties design) and Naperville’s Rob Nardini (editor). Stage Manager is Warrenville’s Tiana Maravilla.
William J. Norris (adapter) has been a theater professional for more than 45 years. An Emmy, Joseph Jefferson, and five-time Artisan Awards winner, his playwriting credits include the dramas "Before I Wake", "Johns" and "Bloody Bess"; the opera "The Christmas Present," the musical "Fornicopia;" and the comedies "The Paisley Scar" and "Vienna Was Never So Gay."
Tickets
The McAninch Arts Center presents College of DuPage College Theater’s production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by William J. Norris, filmed and presented on Zoom. Performances are Friday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $16 per household. To order or for more information visit www.AtTheMAC.org or call 630.942.3008.
There will be post-show discussions on Zoom with members of the production team Friday, Nov. 27 and with the director and actors Saturday, Nov. 28.
The MAC encourages everyone enjoying their holiday programming to consider making a donation to support the MAC’s ongoing ability to continue to provide fun, creative and thought-provoking entertainment. For more information visit www.AtTheMAC.org.
About the MAC
The McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage is located at 425 Fawell Ave., 25 miles west of Chicago near I-88 and I-355. It houses three indoor performance spaces (the 780-seat proscenium Belushi Performance Hall; the 236-seat soft-thrust Playhouse Theatre; and the versatile black box Studio Theatre), the outdoor Lakeside Pavilion, plus the Cleve Carney Museum of Art and classrooms for the college’s academic programming. The MAC has presented theater, music, dance and visual art to more than 1.5 million people since its opening in 1986 and typically welcomes more than 100,000 patrons from the greater Chicago area to more than 230 performances each season.
The mission of the MAC is to foster enlightened educational and performance opportunities, which encourage artistic expression, establish a lasting relationship between people and art, and enrich the cultural vitality of the community. Visit www.AtTheMAC.org or www.facebook.com/AtTheMAC for more information.
The MAC’s 2020-2021 season is made possible in part with support by DoubleTree by Hilton Lisle/Naperville, WDCB 90.9 FM and the College of DuPage Foundation.
Established as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization in 1967, the College of DuPage Foundation raises monetary and in-kind gifts to increase access to education and to enhance cultural opportunities for the surrounding community. For more information about the College of DuPage Foundation, visit foundation.cod.edu or call 630.942.2462. Programs at the MAC are partially supported through a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.