MONROE - Actors will come together in the first weekend of December to portray a classic story with a bit of a twist thanks to a local writer who wanted to make the show in his head come to life.
Rev. Mike Klarer died in April of last year, but his memory lives on in the lives he affected in Monroe, particularly among those who have performed his adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," written specifically for the Monroe Theatre Guild.
This performance, set to run Friday through Sunday, will be the result of teamwork between adult and high school actors. Co-directors Jennifer Moehn and John Baumann have been pleased with the cast's progression since practice began in October.
"They have worked really, really hard," Moehn said. "I think as a director from the high school, inviting the adults and doing the collaboration has been a cool thing for the kids. I think it's been a really educating experience."
Some school staff have even taken part, from Monroe High School Principal Chris Medenwaldt to Choir Director Alex Lentz, and Monroe Middle School teacher and veteran guild actor Dave Bristow as well as technical director Jennifer Bochar, who has a cameo in the show. Moehn said the presence of adults on stage should help the younger actors realize that productions can be done even after high school ends.
One of many adaptations of the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, Klarer's version was written in 2009 and acted out on the stage of the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center in December of that year.
The tale has been spun a number of ways, from the Muppets to Hallmark movies to various iterations across the stage. But when Klarer's version was released, he said his goal had been to bring authenticity to the stage show and he took hours evaluating the novella line by line to ensure it was.
Well-known by audiences, the name Ebenezer Scrooge is synonymous with avarice and irritableness. The story of a wealthy man unwilling to share his fortune with family and disinterested in making or keeping friends takes a turn when ghosts visit him, attempting to warm his heart before the afterlife claims his soul to be doomed for eternity.
Baumann has been with the guild for years and played Scrooge in the 2009 production. He has a small cameo in this year's show, which he said serves as a small tribute to Klarer.
"Father Mike originally wrote this for MTG and we thought in light of his recent passing, this would be MTG's way of honoring him," Baumann said. "I think he would be especially pleased that we're collaborating with the high school because kids meant a lot to him. It's really very fitting."
Baumann said though the story has been portrayed by the guild five times in the last decade, this will be the first stage show of Klarer's version since its first in 2009.
Monday was the first dress rehearsal, and Moehn said though there has been a share of illness and adapting, the cast of roughly 50 plans to put on a top opening performance Friday. The duo said there are marks to be met and a lot of direction to remember, so the rehearsals this week should be the test of what the shows will look like.
Baumann, who noted he has played nearly every character in "A Christmas Carol," said the best plays to be a part of are ones about the holidays.
"If you're looking for really family-oriented entertainment that tells a beautiful Christmas story, you want to kick off the holiday season, it's a really cool show," Baumann said. "These are kind of troubling times in a lot of respects, but to be able to come into a theater and participate in it and walk away with a good feeling, that's pretty special."
Rev. Mike Klarer died in April of last year, but his memory lives on in the lives he affected in Monroe, particularly among those who have performed his adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," written specifically for the Monroe Theatre Guild.
This performance, set to run Friday through Sunday, will be the result of teamwork between adult and high school actors. Co-directors Jennifer Moehn and John Baumann have been pleased with the cast's progression since practice began in October.
"They have worked really, really hard," Moehn said. "I think as a director from the high school, inviting the adults and doing the collaboration has been a cool thing for the kids. I think it's been a really educating experience."
Some school staff have even taken part, from Monroe High School Principal Chris Medenwaldt to Choir Director Alex Lentz, and Monroe Middle School teacher and veteran guild actor Dave Bristow as well as technical director Jennifer Bochar, who has a cameo in the show. Moehn said the presence of adults on stage should help the younger actors realize that productions can be done even after high school ends.
One of many adaptations of the 1843 novella by Charles Dickens, Klarer's version was written in 2009 and acted out on the stage of the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center in December of that year.
The tale has been spun a number of ways, from the Muppets to Hallmark movies to various iterations across the stage. But when Klarer's version was released, he said his goal had been to bring authenticity to the stage show and he took hours evaluating the novella line by line to ensure it was.
Well-known by audiences, the name Ebenezer Scrooge is synonymous with avarice and irritableness. The story of a wealthy man unwilling to share his fortune with family and disinterested in making or keeping friends takes a turn when ghosts visit him, attempting to warm his heart before the afterlife claims his soul to be doomed for eternity.
Baumann has been with the guild for years and played Scrooge in the 2009 production. He has a small cameo in this year's show, which he said serves as a small tribute to Klarer.
"Father Mike originally wrote this for MTG and we thought in light of his recent passing, this would be MTG's way of honoring him," Baumann said. "I think he would be especially pleased that we're collaborating with the high school because kids meant a lot to him. It's really very fitting."
Baumann said though the story has been portrayed by the guild five times in the last decade, this will be the first stage show of Klarer's version since its first in 2009.
Monday was the first dress rehearsal, and Moehn said though there has been a share of illness and adapting, the cast of roughly 50 plans to put on a top opening performance Friday. The duo said there are marks to be met and a lot of direction to remember, so the rehearsals this week should be the test of what the shows will look like.
Baumann, who noted he has played nearly every character in "A Christmas Carol," said the best plays to be a part of are ones about the holidays.
"If you're looking for really family-oriented entertainment that tells a beautiful Christmas story, you want to kick off the holiday season, it's a really cool show," Baumann said. "These are kind of troubling times in a lot of respects, but to be able to come into a theater and participate in it and walk away with a good feeling, that's pretty special."