A Fairytale Christmas Carol
at Pope John Paul II High School

Reviewed on November 23, 2013

NameSchoolPublication/Broadcasts
JP Taravella HS
North Broward Preparatory School
South Plantation High School
Pine Crest School
The Sagemont School
Boca Raton Community High School
JP Taravella HS



Casey Hernandez
JP Taravella HS

Submitted for publication to

Everyone's favorite classic Christmas tale receives a makeover when A Christmas Carol and famous fairytale characters meet. You just never know who will pop up next in Pope John Paul II High School's production of "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol", a heartwarming show that can be enjoyed by the whole family, and stays true to the classic.

Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus are a duo that has worked together for over 25 years and have penned many Disney sequels. The two came together to write "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol", as a short story told by Mother Goose about the Big Bad Wolf as Ebenezer Scrooge when he's visited by his old business partner, Jacob Midas. Midas warns Scrooge about the ghosts of past, present, and future (played by a Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole, and the Queen of Hearts.) Scrooge comes to a harsh realization that he's a bitter, selfish man, and should be giving back to the families he has encountered. Only then is when he remembers what Christmas is all about.

The show is driven by its ensemble cast, so it is important that each and every individual character act their part big and bright - and they did just that. Although at times the difference in acting worlds was inconsistent, the cast made up for it with their impeccable energy that fueled the show from beginning to end, as there was never a dull moment.

The Big Bad Wolf (Ebenezer Scrooge), portrayed by Matthew Gavan, did a admirable job captivating the grouchy, sour Scrooge. Mother Goose, played by Paige Gray had a sweet, sing-songy tone to her dialogue that engaged the audience throughout her narration.

Supporting the Big Bad Wolf through his journey, was Philip Charming (Prince Charming), played by Charlie Metzger. Metzger portrayed Charming with natural believability and was indeed, "charming". His wife, Cinderella Charming, was played by Rebecca Markert. Merkert's bold acting choices and exaggerated mannerisms made her a standout character. As Scrooge's nephew, Jack (Jack and the Beanstalk), Nikolas Ramadan delivered the best comedic moments in the show. Ramadan was extremely animated, consistent in character, and his running "beans" gags never failed to make the audience burst into laughter. Another standout performance was the sneaky, clock-turning Rumpelstiltskin, played by Brandon Flood. Flood had at most, five lines, but managed to make the audience laugh whenever he appeared on stage.

Marketing and publicity's complete design on the playbill, tickets, and snacks was superb. Unfortunately, most costumes were not time period and appropriate for the setting, however hair and makeup for each fairy tale character was fitting and satisfactory.

Pope John Paul II High School's production of "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol" was energetic, charismatic, and overall excellent for getting everyone into the Christmas spirit.

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Josie Roth
North Broward Preparatory School

Submitted for publication to

It's the timeless story of greed, disdain and hatred turned to love, charity and acceptance; though this time it seems the Dickens' classic tale has gotten an update. Fairies, ghosts, princesses and your favorite nursery rhyme characters come together to teach us that love and forgiveness are the most important qualities of all in Pope John Paul II High School's production of A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol.

Written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus and based on Charles Dickens' famous account of miser Ebenezer Scrooge, A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol puts a slight twist on the story you may know. Scrooge is reimagined as the Big Bad Wolf, and all of the other characters as his fairy tale counterparts. The narrative follows the Big Bad Wolf's journey through Christmases past, present and future via his personal ghost tour guides: a Fairy Godmother, Old King Cole, and the Queen of Hearts. The Big Bad Wolf realizes the error of his stingy ways, and becomes a kinder wolf because of it.

Pope John Paul II High School took the challenge of performing this unique show head-on. The entire cast showed an outrageous amount of energy and eagerness, and their clear excitement for the show shone through from beginning to end.

Paige Gray as Mother Goose, the play's frazzled but delightful narrator, stayed true to her character throughout the entire production: even when she wasn't the focus of a scene, one would be hard-pressed not to find her reacting to others' moments onstage, or shedding feathers in her reading nook. Matthew Gavan as the Big Bad Wolf, also skillfully used his abundant amount of stage time to allow for thorough character development and growth.

Among a plethora of supporting actors, two showstoppers were Phillip and Cinderella Charming, played by Charlie Metzger and Rebecca Markert respectively. Phillip, the Big Bad Wolf's frustrated employee and father to Hansel, Gretel, and Tabitha Charming, was played by Metzger with such sensitivity that it's no wonder where he got his surname from. Markert's Cinderella, the concerned wife who strives to make Christmas for her family as perfect as can be, showed emotional depth as she dealt with her family's struggling to make ends meet. Markert and Metzger's obvious onstage chemistry allowed the audience to truly feel as though their characters were a match made out of a fairy tale.

Tech aspects of the show ran relatively smoothly. Set changes, performed by the stage-crew-turned-ensemble, were completed with near-silence and obvious precision. There were a few instances during which light and sound cues ran late, but the actors took them in stride and refused to allow them to distract from the overall flow of the show.

Ultimately, Pope John Paul II High embraced A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol with enthusiasm and zeal that one could feel from the audience. They showed us that even the meanest of people can become kind with a little eye-opening help, and that the true message of Christmas is not just a thing of the past.

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Aaron Bourque
South Plantation High School

Submitted for publication to

As the heat waves approach in the true Floridian "winter" fashion, Pope John Paul II High School is keeping the Christmas spirit alive with their production of "A Fairytale Christmas Carol."

Written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, "A Fairytale Christmas Carol" is a comical adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". Like the literary classic, "A Fairytale Christmas Carol" follows the story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge, who also happens to be the Big Bad Wolf. When the fairytale Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future appear in his bedroom one Christmas Eve however, Scrooge begins to learn the error of his ways as classic fairytale characters come to life.

Matthew Gavan, playing the role of the Big Bad Wolf, exhibited a strong stage presence that captured his true disdain for the holidays, from every "Bah, humbug!" to each scornful expression of disgust. Countering this natural grouchiness onstage was Paige Gray, who played the role of Mother Goose. Despite being a student, Gray never ceased in finding a motherly disposition, often speaking and moving with amusing voice and dramatic hand gestures. The contrasting elements of Gray's bubbly characterization and Gavan's sarcastic apathy helped accentuate the more subtle qualities in one another, and often led to well-delivered humor.

Charlie Metzger, playing the role of the penniless Philip Charming (now Scrooge's assistant), featured natural and energetic stage movements that effectively encompassed his joyful, fatherly figure. Jaelyne Vigoa, playing the role of the sickly, yet hopeful, Tabitha Charming, played off of Metzger quite well, the two introducing a family dynamic that allowed the moral of the play to be centralized between their relationship as daughter and father. The rest of the family, comprised of Hansel, Gretel, and Cinderella "Cindy" Charming (played by Andrew Birkmann, Alexandria Shumway, and Rebecca Markert, respectively), furthered these softer theatrical elements with comical interactions and gestures.

The Ghost of Christmas Past, better known as Meriwether the Fairy Godmother (Paige Notaras), exhibited an energetic grandmotherly disposition that was both humorous and enjoyable to watch. Countering this positive energy was Jessica Coons as the Queen of Hearts. With brash and bold remarks and gestures, Coons kept the audience laughing with a comically menacing personality. While some actors had trouble maintaining diction and line fluency, this was generally not distracting and improved as the show progressed.

The make-up choices for the Big Bad Wolf and other decorative fairytale creatures were bold and well done, fitting the whimsical nature of the show quite well. The stage crew moved set pieces on and off the stage with fluidity, and often took part in scenes as background characters to blend in. Although small details of costumes seemed to clash with the time period selected, costumes generally captured the distinct personality of each fairytale character successfully.

With charming, energetic characters and hilarious dialogue, Pope John Paul II High School celebrates the approaching holiday season in their production of "A Fairytale Christmas Carol."

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Jordanna Brody
Pine Crest School

Submitted for publication to

Mother Goose, the Big Bad Wolf, Old King Cole, the Queen of Hearts, and so many more crazy fairytale characters fill the stage in a new take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol presented by Pope John Paul II High School.

A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol, by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, follows the Big Bad Wolf on his journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Along the way, many fairytale characters such as Mother Goose, Prince Charming, a Fairy God Mother, and so many more join him.

Pope John Paul II High School's production of "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol" was anchored by the high energy of the leads and supporting characters, and the strong makeup and hair.

Mother Goose (Paige Gray) did a good job of staying engaged while staying onstage the entire show. When she was the focus, she was very funny, and caught the attention of the entire audience. The Big Bad Wolf (Matthew Gavan) kept the story moving, and worked well with the entire cast of the show.

The ghosts: Meriwether (Paige Notaras), Old King Cole (Marco Cirilo), and the Queen of Hearts (Jessica Coons) all translated their characters' purpose, while still maintaining the comedy intended by the playwrights. The Charming family: Phillip Charming (Charlie Metzger), Cinderella Charming (Rebecca Markert), Tabitha Charming (Jaelyne Vigoa), Hansel Charming (Andrew Birkman), and Gretel Charming (Alexandria Shumway) formed great relationships with one another and worked well together as a family unit.

Although there were a couple of technical difficulties with sound and lighting, the difficulty of the sound was commendable. The makeup and hair was outstanding. The makeup artists took risks, and the makeup read well from the audience. The costume designers took risks as well, and most of them paid off.

Overall, the production lacked some energy in the ensemble, but that was overshadowed by the comedy in the lead and supporting characters. Also, the hair and makeup brought the story to life, overshadowing some issues in the characters' development.


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Claudia Moncaliano
The Sagemont School

Submitted for publication to

The creative couple of Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, collaborative writers of many beloved animated films including "Lion King II," took the classic Dickens tale of "A Christmas Carol" and spun it into a spontaneous fairy tale mash-up. Pope John Paul II High School took on the challenge of children's theatre and produced an enjoyable show for the entire family.

This ingenious play turns Ebenezer Scrooge into the irritable money-loving Big Bad Wolf (Matthew Gavan) and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future into the bouncy and lively fairy godmother Meriwether (Paige Notaras), the merry Old King Cole (Marco Cirillo), and the commanding and excitable Queen of Hearts (Jessica Coons). Following the same plot as the original "A Christmas Carol," the Cratchit family is now shown as the Charming Family headed by none other than Philip Charming (Charlie Metzger) and Cinderella Charming (Rebecca Markert). They were, of course, nothing less than charming.

Pope John Paul II High School brought together a delightful show that embodied everything a child could love. There were three comedic little pigs, princesses, princes, and the one and only Mother Goose (Paige Gray) to tell us the story and guide us through the Big Bad Wolf's tale.

Gray did an astounding job keeping the connection between the audience and the characters in the show alive. She opened the production with a mother-like voice that filled our ears and beckoned us to listen to the lively tale. Gavan, while still representing his grumpy old character, maintained a light tone to his voice which kept his role inviting to the children watching. Notaras was one of the brilliant actors onstage that found the key of comedy that kept this show alive. Her signature laugh and voice made the old godmother fit well as the ghost of Christmas past.

Metzger and Markert smiled with each other and looked very fitting as a couple onstage. They added to the wonderful lightness of the show with their banter. While very happy, they portrayed their struggles as a poor family who was kicked off the throne. Nikolas Ramadan as Jack, the Big Bad Wolf's nephew, was a show-stopper. His performance was unforgettably hilarious and a treat for the children.

Even with some inconsistencies in the make-up, costume, and acting departments, the show was definitely a success for kids to enjoy.

Whether you're finding yourself homeless because a wolf blew done your house, you've been looking for a place to rest because you just ate all the porridge, or you've found a house in the middle of the woods that happens to be made of candy you can end up in "A Christmas Carol" and be grand and merry.


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Kelsey Powers
Boca Raton Community High School

Submitted for publication to

He huffed, and he puffed, and he… ate Christmas dinner? The Big Bad Wolf and his storybook friends picked up some holiday cheer in Pope John Paul II High School's production of "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol".

"A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol", written by husband and wife team Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus, puts a fantasy twist on Charles Dickens' classic story. Narrated by Mother Goose, the plot centers around the Big Bad Wolf as he is visited by three spirits— the fairy Meriwether, Old King Cole, and the Queen of Hearts— who take him to Christmases past, present, and future.

The twenty-four member cast filled the stage with Christmas joy, each creating a memorable personality even if they were only featured in one or two scenes. Though at times the entire cast was onstage, the ensemble did not detract from the main scene taking place.

The relationship between Mother Goose (Paige Gray) and the Big Bad Wolf (Matthew Gavan) grew increasingly humorous, as the wolf didn't want his story to be told. Gray was so dedicated to her character that throughout the show, she would shed feathers onto the stage. Gavan brought a consistent grumpiness to the Wolf, while still delivering all of his lines with energy and clarity.

Supporting the two leads were a variety of storybook characters, from the Three Little Pigs (Liana Manning, Gina Tenore, and Caroline Prichard), who only wanted a charitable donation, to the Queen of Hearts (Jessica Coons), who, through many a swing of her scythe, might have been the only character grumpier than the Wolf. Though he had few lines, Rumpelstiltskin (Brandon Flood) was memorable for creating physical comedy that didn't upstage the dialogue taking place.

Technically, "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol" was minimalistic but executed well. Costumes suggested different time periods for each fairy tale story, and makeup was successful in transforming actors into wolves, sheep, and cracked eggs. There were some sound issues in the first act, but these were resolved during intermission and were minimal, if not nonexistent, in the second act.

Pope John Paul II High School's production of "A Fairy Tale Christmas Carol" was an entertaining start to the holiday season, proving that sometimes, a little Christmas magic is enough to create a "happily ever after."


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Mia Cleary
JP Taravella HS

Submitted for publication to

You know Mother Goose and Cinderella and Gretel and Hansel, Little Bo Beep and Goldilocks and Snow White and Rumpelstiltskin . . . but do you recall the most famous fairytale character of all?: Ebenezer Scrooge, or as A Fairytale Christmas Carol refers him as, "The Big Bad Wolf". Pope John Paul II took us on a joyous sleigh ride through their production of A Fairytale Christmas Carol.

A Fairytale Christmas Carol was adapted from the novel of A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens in 1843. Since then there has been countless stage shows, films and adaptations of the novel. A Fairytale Christmas Carol being one of many. Written by Flip Kobler and Cindy Marcus who did numerous other adaptations of animated stories and films such as Beauty and The Beast: 2, Pocahontas: 2 and many others. The show takes you through Scrooge's past, present and future Christmas' hoping for there to be a change in his rigid character.

The Three Little Pigs presented themselves with distinct characters. They all had bold character choices such as the pig that had the brick house would live up to the fact that the Big Bad Wolf couldn't blow her house down like the others. Only one of the pigs had an accent which was consistent throughout the show but it would have flowed better if all three had the accents as well.

Mother Goose (Paige Gray) brought the children's theatre aspect of this production, to life. She had the motherly feel to her character choice and a soothing energy throughout the show. She did a commendable job and while other scenes were going on she continued to sit on stage and read her book and still is in character without breaking. Big Bad Wolf (Matthew Gavan) or other known as "Scrooge" could have been played as an older "man" since Scrooge is a cranky old person. His memorization of lines was excellent and he didn't leave the stage once and kept his character throughout the show.

Philip Charming (Charlie Metzger) and Cinderella Charming (Rebecca Markert) brought the feeling of Christmas spirit to the show. Their relationship seemed so real and developed like they've been together for ages. The character choice of Cinderella was more animated than Philip's character, which was more real.

The makeup was superior on the wolves, Humpty dumpty and the Queen of Hearts. The old age makeup on Mother Goose was not seen from the audience and Old King Cole's age lines were too thick and could've been thinner and feathered. The costumes fit the characters well but were not time period appropriate.

The sleigh ride through the whimsical production brought us through the past, present and future and made the Christmas spirit come to life in the winter wonderland of A Fairytale Christmas Carol.


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