A legendary Charles Dickens story gets a tuneful adaptation at Valparaiso’s Memorial Opera House.
“A Christmas Carol, The Musical” runs Friday through Dec. 13.
Featuring a cast of 38 and a nine-piece band, the production rates as a breezy, quick-paced journey through an endearing 19th century tale of redemption, according to director Dutch Williams.
“The music drives a lot of the story; it’s very Disneyesque,” Williams, a Chesterton resident, said. “It’s so rapid and it’s so exciting. Scenes are very fast-moving.”
Promotional material from the Opera House says the adventures of “Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly encounters come to life in this lavish and thrilling musical.”
The Opera House also notes the miser is “forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present & Future.”
Portraying Ebenezer Scrooge is Grant Fitch. Jackson Coppinger plays Tiny Tim and Brandon Berk is Bob Cratchit.
The music was written by Alan Menken, who composed tunes for a host of animated Disney movies, including “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Pocahontas.”
“A Christmas Carol, The Musical,” premiered in 1994 in New York City.
Williams noted that virtually the entire Valparaiso cast is entrusted with multiple roles.
Williams’ wife, Jennifer, is assistant director.
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The production’s vocal director is Natalie Franks. “She knows how to train young voices,” Williams said. Franks teaches at Willowcreek Middle School in Portage.
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance writer.
‘A Christmas Carol, The Musical’
Where: Memorial Opera House, 104 E. Indiana Ave., Valparaiso
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5, 11-12; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6 and 13
Tickets: Adults $21; senior citizens (59 and older), students and military $18
Information: 219-548-9137, www.memorialoperahouse.com