Local actors shine in Center Theatre’s Christmas Carol

DOVER-FOXCROFT — It has been several years since the Center Theatre and the Slightly Off-Center Players put on a production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” but it has been well worth the wait.

Photo courtesy of Love Your Angels Photography

THE AUDIENCE WON’T BE SAYING BAH HUMBUG — Chris Viera (Scrooge) and Connor Plante (Young Scrooge) both kick up their heels at the Fezziwig Mill Ball during the Center Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” Three performances are scheduled between this Friday and Saturday at the theatre in Dover-Foxcroft.

This adaptation of the classic tale was written by Dani Maupin for the Center Theatre. Several new actors and many veterans to the Center Theatre stage combine to put on a wonderful performance full of holiday cheer. In the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge is Pastor Chris Viera. His strong clear voice transitions well from the pulpit to the stage and his passion for the role of Scrooge and for this story of redemption and Christmas cheer is unmistakable.

Leading Scrooge and the audience through the story are two talented narrators (Dan Porter and Janet Currie). Scrooge is joined onstage by a series of ghosts who in turn scare, cheer, cajole and encourage Scrooge to become a better man. Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Future are both played by Cary Libby who has not only starred in previous versions of “A Christmas Carol”, but has also directed one as well. His experience and skill bring a depth to Marley that is rarely seen.

Christmas Past is played by Alice Myers, a talented fourth-grader at SeDoMoCha Elementary. While being considerably younger (and shorter) than many of her fellow actors, few will doubt who is in charge when she takes the stage. Derrick Buschmann, drama teacher at Foxcroft Academy, fills the auditorium with his larger-than-life portrayal of the Ghost of Christmas Present. Resplendent in a rich green costume he shows Scrooge all the joy of the season.

Far from relying on any of these actors to carry the show, this is truly an ensemble presentation with strong and engaging performances from the entire cast of 30-plus local actors. This community of “talented actors, designers, crew, and volunteers” is mentioned by Angela Bonacasa, director of “A Christmas Carol” and former executive director of the Center Theatre, in her director’s notes. “They have come together because of a love of theatre, a love of this story, and above all, a love of the community that an experience like this creates.”

Supporting Bonacasa in the production of the show is Stage Manager Joshua Kelley, Lighting Designer Haley Bergeron, Sound Designer Megan Bergeron, Costumer Wendy Voter and many others who volunteered hundreds of hours to bring the production to life.

The cast will be performing three more shows this weekend: Friday the 18th at 7 p.m. and Saturday the 19th at 2 and 7 p.m. Prices have been kept low to encourage as many people to attend as possible. There are also family passes available. For more information on this production of “A Christmas Carol” visit www.centertheatre.org, call the theatre at 564-8943, or stop in during business hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Center Theatre is a non-profit performing arts venue located in downtown Dover-Foxcroft dedicated to making the arts a part of life in the Maine Highlands.