It’s time to learn the true meaning of Christmas with the Batavia Players’ rendition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carole.”
Bill Moon, who plays Ebenezer Scrooge, and Richard Ferris, who plays Bob Cratchit, have returned to reprise their roles. Ferris has played Bob Cratchit twice while Moon has played Scrooge four or five times.
Ferris said there isn’t a lot of room for interpretation for the characters to put their own spin on.
“It’s a feel good, family friendly show,” he said. “It’s great for the holidays. We’re keeping it fairly traditional.”
The story and the structure is familiar to those who have or viewed productions of Dickens’ powerful story; Miserly misanthrope Ebenezer Scrooge humbugs the holiday, but when he gets visited by Jacob Marley, and a cavalcade of ghostly characters from his past, present, and future, his world changes forever.
This is the first time Kristin Gelia, playing Mrs. Cratchit, has been in “A Christmas Carole.” The Erie County resident said she decided to join the play because she enjoys coming back to Batavia.
Gelia said “A Christmas Carole” is an iconic story with so many parodies and spin-offs.
“I really like the fact it’s about redemption and the traditional spirit of Christmas,” she said. Ferris added that the story shows that it’s never too late to change if you want to, and make the effort.
Gelia said her favorite part of “A Christmas Carole” is where everything comes together for Scrooge when the third spirit takes him to see his grave. Ferris said he likes the Ghost of Christmas Present who really throws Scrooge’s words back at him, forcing him to look at what a horrible person he’s really been.
For Moon, his favorite part comes when his character of Scrooge wakes up “and he realizes that what he’s been through was a dream, but it’s changed his whole life.”
“All the years he’s been suppressed, even as a little kid — that’s where it all came from,” Moon said. “Then all of a sudden, pop! From 1850, that story is still good.”
Gelia said she likes that the Batavia Players version is a deeper dive into why Scrooge the way he is.
Director Heather Ferris said Scrooge sees everything he’s been missing in life. How the Cratchits, despite being poor, are very happy.
“(‘A Christmas Carole’) is a classic show, but it’s a fun show,” Heather Ferris said. “I’ve been in it myself twice. This is my first time directing it, but it’s a fun production. It helps get people in the Christmas spirit.”
WHAT: “A Christmas Carole,” a production by Batavia Players.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Main St. 56 Theater in Batavia City Centre, 102 Main St., Batavia. Use the rear entrance, the purple door by Batavia Family Dental.
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