Bah Humbug! Scrooge! The Musical Brings Christmas Cheer to Campus
By Zachary Bearnson
The theatre department is bringing Christmas cheer to Southern Virginia University this December with Scrooge! The Musical. Not only is it the first musical explicitly about Christmas, according to Theatre Program Coordinator Dr. Robert Stoddard, but it will have the largest cast in school history.
The production follows Charles Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol, and will be filled with many musical tunes that are “stirring, catchy and touching in turn,” said Stoddard.
Scrooge! will have the largest cast that the school has ever seen in a production, comprising of over 70 students as well as several community volunteers. Furthermore, for an added twist Stoddard will not only be directing the musical, but will also be playing the titular Ebenezer Scrooge.
“Directing and acting in the show has been made physically possible by sophomore Carter Gorham, who has acted as my stand-in, playing Scrooge in times when I needed to watch and give direction to the students, particularly in early rehearsals,” said Stoddard.
During later rehearsals, Stoddard recieved help from Professor Amaree Cluff, costume supervisor for the theatre department, who would often give direction while Stoddard performed on stage.
Another trick Stoddard used to ensure that the performers were in proper positions was to film rehearsals on his iPad and learn from the footage.
Excited to present Scrooge to the students of Southern Virginia and the Buena Vista community, Stoddard said, “ ‘A Christmas Carol’ is one of the most famous stories in the world about redemption. If Scrooge can change, then there’s hope for each one of us!”
The show begins on Dec. 7 and will continue on Dec. 8 and Dec. 14 and 15. Regular show time is at 7:30 p.m. with a special matinee on Dec. 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here, and are ten dollars for general admission, eight for faculty, and 5 for students.
