Tradition with a modern twist

Tonight at Crescenta Valley High, three ghosts visit a miserly old Scrooge. And it will be happening again on Saturday and Sunday as well. Crescenta Valley High School Drama Department is putting on their fall play, “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Drama teacher Brent Beerman has adapted the novel for the stage into an award-winning play. It won a National Playwriting Contest sponsored by the Butler Little Theatre in Pittsburgh, Penn. and was just produced there as well.

“There were some additional scenes that were written as a result of the play writing contest that this won,” said Beerman. “They had some questions about some of the resolution of the characters, so we added a scene, and tinkered. Its a living breathing script, it changes with each production.”

This is just one of many plays Beerman has written. Last year, one of his plays had a private reading by the drama class of ’07. Now his drama students publicly perform another of his plays.

Kimberly Cox stars as Scrooge in this rendition of the classic tale.

“It’s traditional with a modern twist,” said Kathi Chaplar, fellow drama/English teacher who has also had a big hand in the success and production of the play, “in that it explores the relationships of Scrooge more than the novella. It really delves into his past with his sister and his lost love and looking at why Scrooge became what he is.

“So it’s not so much Scrooge is evil, but there are reasons why he has become the Scrooge of the present.”

Dickens’ Christmas classic is this year’s selection for the annual fall play held by the advanced drama classes. Last year, “Get Smart” was performed, based on the classic TV series, and before that was “Grease,” the high school musical with ’50s rock and roll. The drama department will also have other plays this school year — a winter play, a spring musical (both of which are school wide productions) and a spring play from the same class that is performing “A Christmas Carol.”

“It’s an entertaining show, it’s fun for all ages, it’s a remaining of the script without losing the heart of it,” said Beerman.

“Thursday night’s show went great, and we hope to keep that success going,” said Chaplar.

The performances will be held in the MacDonald Auditorium at Crescenta Valley High School Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for reserved seating, $10 for general admission, and $5 for the student balcony.

Don’t be a Scrooge; go see the classic Christmas tale.