Charles Dickens’ Victorian ghost story "A Christmas Carol" comes to the Bordentown Regional High School stage.
By: William Wichert
BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP In the darkened theater at Bordentown Regional High School on Monday night, the scene was chaotic.
The stage crew was making final changes to the set, the makeup artists were adding powder to the faces of the costumed actors, and Louisa Kenny was giving her cast of characters from "A Christmas Carol" a little pep talk.
"Guys, you’re all in the roles that fit your personality. You all have the potential to build this show into a blockbuster. You just have to tap it and it’s going to be extraordinary," said Ms. Kenny, a social studies teacher at the school and the director of the show that premieres tonight at 8 p.m.
Dolled up in their best gowns and coattails with wigs and top hats to match, about 35 high school students came together for their first dress rehearsal on Monday night to tell the story of a grouchy man named Scrooge who ultimately comes to embrace the spirit of the holiday season.
The real story of this high school production was taking place backstage, where the actors scurried around the cafeteria, putting on makeup and getting dressed in the school bathrooms.
When one of the makeup artists complained to junior Sara Smith, the stage manager, about losing the key to the closet that holds the makeup kits, Sara shot back, "Stop yelling at me, ’cause I’ll yell at you."
After the artist rushed off, Sara said with a smile: "This is the stuff you talk about. This kind of makes it … more memorable."
A memorable event that sent the cast into a minor tailspin occurred a few weeks ago, when two of the students who play Scrooge had to be rushed to the hospital after hurting their legs during two separate rehearsals.
One of the actors was forced to leave the show, but sitting at a table on Monday in a tuxedo and top hat with a pair of crutches by his side was Jasper T. Daniels III, the junior who plays the main Scrooge character.
"I was like, ‘oh no, what am I going to do,’" said Jasper, who said he is feeling better and looking forward to saying his favorite line of the show: "Bah, humbug!"
Sitting in his own top hat across from Jasper, Josh Friedman, a freshman who plays the middle-aged Scrooge, said it also is a challenge for him to transform himself into a mean, grumpy old man.
"I can’t be Josh anymore. I have to be Scrooge and pretend to be angry, stiff, mean and cold-hearted," Josh said. "I’m sort of like Anakin Skywalker from ‘Star Wars,’ ’cause I’m learning where the dark side is at."
But his performance would not be the same, Josh said, without a strong relationship among all members of the cast.
"It’s just that the cast has to connect in its own way," he said. "If you don’t have a bond, it’s just not going to flow. You need to learn their style, ’cause everybody has their own."
Seniors Jennifer Davis and Gina Ciampa also said the cast has grown quite close over the last few weeks.
"We’re a very tight-knit group. Backstage is the best experience," said Gina, who plays one of the Fezziwig daughters.
As their friend, Courtney Sirak, a senior who plays the Ghost of Christmas Present, worked on her hair and said she could not wait to leave high school, Jennifer said she was a little worried about the approaching graduation.
"I’m scared. I’m going to miss this," said Jennifer, a three-year veteran of the high school’s shows, who plays Mrs. Cratchit. "It’s kind of creepy, ’cause you know you’re leaving soon."
Then the call came from Ms. Kenny across the cafeteria floor: "Five minutes!" Resting for a few minutes before the dress rehearsal began, Ms. Kenny said she was happy to see so many students get involved in the production.
"We’ve had a few unfortunate incidents along the way, but the show always goes on," said Ms. Kenny. "I like big casts, because I like everybody to have a chance. For me, it’s about every student getting to experience theater."
"A Christmas Carol"will be performed at Bordentown Regional High School, 50 Dunns Mill Road, today and Friday at 8 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets for the evening shows cost $7 each, and tickets for the Saturday matinee are $5 each.

