A Christmas Carol
at Mount Vernon High School

Reviewed on December 3, 2016

Annie Silva
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

The classic tale of Christmas' past, present, and future was retold in Mount Vernon High School's A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Carol, written by Charles Dickens, was first published as a novella in 1843. Since its publication, it has been turned into several play and movie adaptations. This version was Ed Monk's adaption, written in 2000, and provided a lean yet faithful script to the novella. It followed the story of a grumpy old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. One Christmas Day, Scrooge is transported back to reflect on different points in his life by the Ghosts of Christmas' Past, Present and Future. Through this reflection, Scrooge realizes that he has no need to be so ill-tempered and becomes a kinder, more generous man as the story concludes.

The storyteller of the show was the Narrator (Jared Diallo). Diallo maintained consistent volume and helped move the story along quickly. Leading the story was Ebenezer Scrooge (Samuel Zarek). Zarek performed wonderfully, especially with the task of such a large role. He sustained the transformation of Scrooge throughout the show with his mannerisms and vocalizations.

Two standout performances from the rest of the supporting cast were Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig (Ttendo Williams and Sydney Osei Tutu). Together, the two had great chemistry and provided comical relief in the dark play. They each had their own developed characters that were maintained in the entirety of their scenes.

The set was minimal but effective. It contained several intentionally weathered wooden desks and chairs, and a curtained bed that created the atmosphere necessary for each scene efficaciously. At times the actors were difficult to hear, but the energy from the cast made up for any sound concerns. Throughout the show's transitions, student-made compositions adapted from classic Christmas carols were played. They set the Christmas mood and covered any awkward scene transitions. The lighting aspect of the show was well done, and the blocking of the piece was very interesting--many of the actors performing throughout the theatre space. To mimic Scrooge walking through Town, Scrooge walked through the aisles of the theatre lit by two large spotlights. These blocking choices created a fascinating effect for the audience.

The cast of A Christmas Carol put the audience in just the right mood for this upcoming holiday season; joyous, reflective, and most of all, grateful.

Isabella Diaz
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

As the Christmas season gets underway, we are consumed in a whirlwind of consumerism and obsession with gift-giving, and often forget the purpose of the holiday. Mount Vernon High School's production of "A Christmas Carol" strove to use its simple message and classic story to remind audiences of the true meaning of Christmas.

"A Christmas Carol" tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly businessman who cares only for himself, not for his employees, his neighbors, and certainly not for the Christmas season. When visited on Christmas Eve by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, who suffers in torment for his selfishness while living, Scrooge is sent on journeys with three spirits, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, which will hopefully change Scrooge for the better and remind him of the true meaning of Christmas.

All actors in the show performed without the use of microphones; however, to most this wasn't a detriment. Sound crew members Paul Hiniker and Christopher Tait composed original music for the production. These compositions played during scene changes and were pleasant, if slightly too contemporary, for the period. Lighting served little purpose other than to simply illuminate the stage, however, spotlights were used somewhat creatively as actors walked in the aisles and on the stage during scene changes.

Use of makeup was a bright spot for certain characters. Scrooge's old age makeup was convincing and well done. The ghosts of Christmas Past and Present had similar makeup, but the concepts distinguished the ghosts from the other characters well. Props in the show were useful, if sometimes ill-placed; the candle which is characteristic of the traditional story was rarely in the show, and certain items were referred to in the script that simply weren't there. The goose which served as the Cratchit family dinner seemed too large for a poor family, and near the end, Scrooge's headstone remained on stage when the scene was set in the Cratchit living room.

The set was very simple, using furniture to create the different settings of the play. While the set pieces themselves were versatile and did their job, scene changes felt slow, oftentimes long.

A bright spot for many in the audience was the performances of both Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, played by Ttendo Williams and Sydney Osei Tutu. While only on stage for a few scenes, both characters had wonderful chemistry and made the audience laugh. Even in the background, they were often more appealing to focus on than some of the main characters in the scene. Other notable performances were those of Young Scrooge, played by Donovan Fisher, and Belle, played by Maggie McClelland.

The unnamed narrator, played by Jared Diallo, did well projecting his lines clearly and driving the story forward, albeit looking a little out of place in a modern Christmas sweater vest and sneakers. The lead of Ebenezer Scrooge, portrayed by Samuel Zarek, had by far the most difficult role, onstage for almost the entire production, and he did well remembering all lines and driving each scene forward.

Overall, Mount Vernon High School's production of "A Christmas Carol" had areas in need of improvement but never stopped striving to remind audiences that Christmas is not about selfishness, but about kindness and giving.

McKenna Wirth
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

A Christmas Carol, performed by Mount Vernon High School Theatre Arts, is a faithful retelling of the beloved story familiar to us all. This play follows Ebeneezer Scrooge, a cranky old man who loves only money, as he learns how to combat his stingy habits. Originally written by Charles Dickens in 1843, this performance is a reminder about the meaning of Christmas.

Throughout the story, Scrooge, played by Samuel Zarek, learns to be charitable and forgiving with the help of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. He leaves his miserly nature behind and improves the lives of the Cratchit family. In fact, Dickens originally wrote this story to raise awareness of the inequality present in his society. Mount Vernon's production provides an uplifting reminder that wealth cannot be measured solely with dollar signs.

Opening the show was The Narrator, played by Jared Diallo. Diallo was lit by spotlights as he roamed the theatre, bringing the audience literally closer to the action. Scrooge himself walked the aisles as though they were the cold streets of London, which Zarek conveyed. Zarek and many others made sure they were heard throughout the theatre without a microphone.

The actors, working in concert with the technicians, produced a faithful retelling of a Christmastime classic. Erica Bartell manifested the bubbly, quirky Ghost of Christmas Present though numerous acting choices. This traditional interpretation contrasted the calmer Ghost of Christmas Past (Monica Caceres). Caceres complemented Zarek during their scenes together in Act One as well.

On the other side of prosperity, the Cratchit family worked well as an ensemble and showed that even without a lot of money, happiness can be found through love. The entire family played off each other, reacting to the actions of others onstage. Overall, actors conveyed the feelings of their characters to the audience.

The true value of this show is in the attention paid to every aspect, big or small. Each and every set piece was carefully made to look worn, a process that takes a lot of time and care. Desks and chairs had multiple shades of brown and even green or yellow mixed in to create the illusion of wood. Makeup design drew inspiration from Death for the mute Ghost of Christmas Future (Malachi Curtis), an interpretation which was backed up by costuming and the ominous tolling of bells, part of the original music and sound effects created by Paul Hiniker and Christopher Tait. The score drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources and added a contemporary touch to the play, which was set in a much earlier time period.

Nearing the end of the play, Scrooge is confronted with the reality that he will die. His tombstone, made of plain marble, reminds us that all men are equal in death. Scrooge wakes up on Christmas Day and realizes that he can make a difference in the lives of the Cratchit family. Love triumphs over greed by the end of this touching story about the difference one can make when they open themselves up to others in their life.

Maddie Gereski
South County High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

What do you get when you combine crotchety old men with supernatural, time-traveling beings preaching the importance of holiday spirit? Why, none other than Mount Vernon High School's production of A Christmas Carol!

The classic story of A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens in the 1800s. Since its conception, over 200 adaptations have been brought to life onstage. The production tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly curmudgeon who despises the Christmas holiday and everything that accompanies it. Through visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, Scrooge reveals his shocking destiny that will unfold if he does not change his lifestyle. A message of love, compassion, gratitude, and holiday spirit, A Christmas Carol is a timeless Christmas favorite. With sufficient use of space, satisfactory make-up aspects, and interesting acting choices, Mount Vernon High School's adaptation was an adequate and creative portrayal of the classic.

Mount Vernon utilized their small auditorium well, with entrances through the house and use of the entire stage in blocking. They kept their set simple and straightforward, and had plenty of stage hands to shift pieces on and off. At times, the shifts were very efficient with help from an incredibly well-spiked stage. The entrances from the house were blocked well, and they kept the audience engaged. All in all, Mount Vernon used their minimal performance space to their advantage.

Certain technical aspects, such as the make-up, added great character effect to the performance of A Christmas Carol. Notably, the makeup of the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Erica Bartell, made the actress seem like a ghostly being. Additionally, the aging effects on characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Samuel Zarek, were well done and natural. Overall, the make-up effects added a factor of authenticity to the show.

Finally, there were specific standouts in the cast of A Christmas Carol that were crucial in keeping the plot of the play rolling. Zarek's interpretation of Scrooge was a suitable take on the classic role, with consistent anger and crotchety personality throughout the entire show. Additionally, although he was not miced, Zarek's projection stood out. Likewise, Bartell made bold and interesting acting choices for the Ghost of Christmas Present. Her decisions kept the audience engaged. Similarly, the energy brought to the stage by Afrina Niha, who portrayed the ghost of Marley, added a much-needed dose of character internalization to the production. Niha invested herself into her character, made complete by her ghost-like, chained down physicality and loud, terrifying screams to Scrooge. Finally, the entire cast bravely attempted British accents. The acting choices of specific characters in A Christmas Carol allowed the play to achieve the level that it did.

Overall, Mount Vernon High School's adaptation of A Christmas Carol met the audience's expectations.

Kat Amato
West Potomac High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

The classic "A Christmas Carol," crafted by Charles Dickens, follows the tale of a dreadful old man, Ebeneezer Scrooge, through a fate changing string of events. With the help of the supernatural, Scrooge changes for the better as he remolds his foul personality into a sincere, kind-hearted soul.

Mount Vernon High School has taken an adaptation of the holiday tale written by Ed Monk and brought it on stage for a more interactive retelling. The Narrator, played by Jared Diallo, immediately creates energy through his shocking entrance from behind the audience. He also makes wonderful use of the space by interacting with the audience. Throughout the beginning scene, the spotlight skillfully follows Diallo through the audience and onto the stage itself where you find two figures seated at desks.

Ebeneezer Scrooge, played by Samuel Zarek, accurately displays the cold-hearted emotion during the execution of his lines. By the end of the show his cold-heartedness warms up and becomes sympathetic towards the Cratchit Family (played by Rron Salihu, Keeley Bryant, Zev Knudsen, Laura Schmechel, and Catherine Martinez) as well as compassionate towards his nephew, Fred, played by Josiah Arnett. Mrs. Cratchit, played by Keeley Bryant, brilliantly incorporated the urgent anxiety the family holds in time of poverty into her facial expressions and line execution, while Martha, played by Laura Schmechel, incorporates the family's joyous compassion towards one another in her loveable interaction with Tiny Tim, played by Catherine Martinez.

As the show progresses, Scrooge is met by three ghosts, the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future who all warn Scrooge of his destiny if his horrid feelings towards his family and his community continues. The Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Monica Caceres, illuminated the stage with her serene energy and brightly colored make-up designed by Caitlin Davis and Sofi Harai. The make-up gave Caceres a lovely rustic, old-timey feel with bronze eyes and was contrasted by gold cheekbones which allowed her light personality to shine through. Although Caceres was soft spoken, her presence and poise on stage made a big impact. The Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Erica Bartell, marvelously interpreted Present's loud, quirky personality, while The Ghost of Christmas Future, played by Malachi Curtis, was terrifying – especially when Curtis was glaring down Zarek in the final scenes.

During the Christmas Past flashback, two characters stood out with their charming smiles and endearing personalities. Mr. Fezziwig (played by Ttendo Williams) and Mrs. Fezziwig (played by Sydney Osei Tutu) brought the scene to life with fantastic chemistry and impeccable comedic timing, which followed into the cheerful, old-fashioned dance choreographed by Tutu. Another character that stood out during this string of scenes was Belle, played by Maggie McClelland, who beautifully displayed her heartfelt emotions during the argument between Belle and Young Scrooge and naturally transitioned from one emotion to the next.

Not only did cast members make wonderful contributions, the tech departments also made some great contributions of their own. Light/Sound Heads, Paul Hiniker and Christopher Tait, composed the soundtrack of the show which set the mood for the upcoming scenes nicely by using gorgeous chord progression and an arrangement of Deck the Halls.

Mount Vernon High School's production of "A Christmas Carol" exhibited many remarkable moments making it a pleasant and entertaining outing.

Olivia Hays
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor", Charles Dickens states in A Christmas Carol, and Mount Vernon High School appropriately conveyed this theme. A Christmas Carol is a heartwarming tale of how powerful love is and how it can change the people who have most forgotten it. The story follows Ebenezer Scrooge, whose sadness and fear of poverty has turned him into a miserable man. We follow Scrooge on a journey with the Ghosts of Past, Present, and future, and the decisions he makes along the way to isolate him from the people who love him. The plot is haunting and uplifting at the same time, and for this reason it is one of the most adapted stories on stage.

The play opens with the Narrator (played by Jared Diallo) walking through the audience with a candle. This effect gave a very intimate feel and drew the whole audience into the story. The actors made great use of the space, often entering and exiting through the audience. Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Samuel Zarek) at times had very good reactions and often opted for stillness when facing harsh realities.

The Ghosts had very distinct personalities. The Ghost of Christmas Past (played by Monica Caceres) had an illuminating and soft spoken quality, like a candle. The Ghost of Christmas Present (played by Erica Bartell) was quirky and playful. The Ghost of Christmas Future (played by Malachai Curtis) was a dominant representative of Scrooge's cold future.

Mr. Fezziwig (played by Ttendo Williams) and Mrs. Fezziwig (played by Sydney Osei Tutu) stood out because of their contagious joy. With their chemistry and mannerisms, the Fezziwigs were the energy of the entire party scene. Scrooge's nephew Fred (played by Josiah Arnett) also had great energy and often opposed Scrooge's distant behavior.

The music, though somewhat contemporary, added greatly to the mood and was beautifully composed. The dancing during the Fezziwig party was period- appropriate and the actors did a great job of making do with a limited number of dancers.

The English accents could have used some polishing but were all consistent. There were definite times when it was hard to hear and actors occasionally upstaged themselves. The energy varied throughout cast members, and actions sometimes felt forced, however some actors had great body language.

The set itself was minimalistic but very useful. There were several stage crew hands helping with the scene changes. While transitions were sometimes a little slow, this fact did, however, contribute to the illusion of passing time.

Overall, Mount Vernon High school's production of A Christmas Carol transferred joy throughout and engrossed the audience members in the story.

Caroline Woodson
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

As the holiday spirit begins to fill the air and everyone's hearts, Mount Vernon High School spread it to their stage in their classic rendition of A Christmas Carol.

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, is a traditional novella published in 1843. Instantly after being published, this book received both love and criticism. Nonetheless, this story is still very popular and for that reason it has never been out of print. Many variations have been made of this tale in the form of plays, movies, operas, and other medias. The storyline follows old, irascible Ebenezer Scrooge as visits from a myriad of ghosts give him the chance to go back through his bittersweet past, examine his dreary present, and look to his forlorn future.

From the start of the show, the audience was enveloped in the production due to the inventive use of the aisles. Throughout the play, a multitude of characters manipulated the aisles to become streets on their walk home or to simply further the storyline in the case of the narrator. This aspect kept the audience enthralled in the production and added to the rigor of the actors' parts.

Being the leading man of his dismal life, Ebenezer Scrooge had an extensive amount of stage time and a generous number of lines. Samuel Zarek, playing the cantankerous old man, tackled this arduous challenge wonderfully. Throughout the entire show, he never so much as stumbled upon the slightly abstruse, venerable language, nor did he forget a single word. Moreover, he managed to sustain remarkable diction and excellent volume all through the production.

Another impressive factor of this show was that the students utilized their stage time, no matter how limited, to its upmost potential. A great example of this was the Fezziwigs. These two employed the entirety of the stage with their enormous physical comedy and vivacious character choices. Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig, played by Ttendo Williams and Sydney Osei Tutu, brought laughter into the throats of the audience and smiles onto their faces, providing this slightly bleak tale with well-needed buoyancy.

Technically, this show was also intriguing. Although minimal, the set fit the show very well and allowed the actors to manipulate it in whatever way they wanted. The set also allowed for the duality of set pieces, enabling them to have meaning in several locations. Another technical aspect that enhanced this show was the make-up. From the start of the show, this element was tastefully visible, starting with Scrooge's age make-up. Looking onto the stage from a distance and at him in close proximity when he wandered through the aisles, this make-up was impeccably done and really added to Scrooge's character. Furthermore, the make-up of the series of ghosts was also impressive with their unearthly, gorgeous highlights and gloss.

Overall, Mount Vernon High School brought the Christmas spirit to their audience and reminded everyone that life isn't about the quest for money or possessions but about rejoicing in the things they already have.

Joshua Lee
Freedom High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

It's the most wonderful time of the year at Mount Vernon High School. Their rendition of "A Christmas Carol" was an eye-opening tribute to the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his lessons in generosity and giving.

The timeless story focuses on a disgruntled old man named Ebenezer Scrooge. When the ghost of a former business partner haunts him one Christmas night, Scrooge goes on a surreal adventure that will change him forever.

Samuel Zarek played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge wonderfully. Zarek delivered his lines as true to Scrooge's blunt character as possible. Throughout the show, he showed the character's transformation from an unhappy businessman into a festive and joyous individual.

Scrooge's nephew Fred was played by Josiah Arnett and he delivered an unforgettable performance. Every time Arnett walked on stage the dark and ominous mood completely reversed to being light and joyous. The Fezziwigs (Ttendo Williams and Sydney Osei Tutu) were also characters that left a lasting impression through their impeccable humor.

Three of the most important characters in this play are the Ghosts of Christmas, and the actors and actresses that portrayed them were exceptionally good at differentiating each ghost from the other. Each of the Ghosts made very specific and smart acting choices. The Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Monica Caceres, made an effort to be maternal and calming, the Ghost of Christmas Present, played by Erica Bartell, was especially bubbly and fun, and the Ghost of Christmas Future, played by Malachi Curtis, felt dark and ominous whenever he was onstage.

The thing that pulled this entire show together was the tech. The set was very minimal, which was an wise choice due to the many settings this play has, and each set piece was meticulously constructed and painted. There was also very little lighting changes that added to the realism of the show. The original compositions that played were both beautiful and thoughtfully used. The transitions were especially smooth due to all of the technical aspects of the show, like the minimal set, very little lighting, and the music to mask the noise of moving set pieces.

The cast and tech made an amazing effort to add to the realism and beauty of this classic show. Mount Vernon High School's experience in theatre is very apparent in "A Christmas Carol".