The non-profit theater company Old Deerfield Productions has a mission creating, presenting and producing high quality theater arts that engage, challenge and tell the stories of neglected women in history. Its latest production is "A Christmas Carol" which opens Dec 18th at The Academy of Music in Northampton.
The play is directed by John Reese, who has been a director since 1960. He's been at Old Deerfield Productions for 10-12 years. His works consist of "Pride's Crossing" and "She Stoops to Conquer." John Reese, beside directing, has also made revisions to the scripts for "A Christmas Carol."
Reese said, "I revised the scripts in several ways. I fleshed out some scenes by expanding and clarifying the dialogue, situation and characters. For example, I always wondered how Marley and Scrooge met as business partners. We know that young Scrooge worked for Mr. Fezzwig so I wrote a scene in which they meet and Marley explains to Scrooge that money is important to one's success in life. Another scene introduces Tiny Tim earlier into the story when he is singing with the carolers and encounters his father's employers.”
These revisions sound very interesting and fun to see performed. The scene which explained how Scrooge and Marley met definitely add more dimension to the story and may fill a hole that people have wondered about.
I revised the scripts in several ways. I fleshed out some scenes by expanding and clarifying the dialogue, situation and characters. For example, I always wondered how Marley and Scrooge met as business partners."
Reese goes on, “The Story continues to be so popular because there is something, an idea, a character, that everyone can relate to. Dickens wrote a story that begins as a dark tale of greed and personal loneliness and transforms into a beacon of redemption for Ebenezer Scrooge. He described family, music, and dance lace the fabric of this tale and appeal to every age. To add one more piece of thought from the director the story.It is the ultimate family show that delights the youngest to the eldest member of the audience."
Some could have the opinion that people would get tired of seeing versions of the story as movies and or performances over and over again. John responds, “ I'm confident that people will be eager to attend our production and if all goes well they will respond positively. Many, many people have seen and will continue to see A Christmas Carol over and over. I have friends who make point of watching one of many versions of the story or film every christmas season. A live production, to my way of thinking is even more engaging than even the best film.”
Susan Loehn, an actress in the show shares the same positive sentiment, “ I think it will be a wonderful show.”
Featured image courtesy of Old Deerfield Productions.