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James Zschunke as Ebenezer Scrooge explains his distain for the Christmas season to his employee, Bob Cratchit, played by Phil Hanson. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

Ebenezer Scrooge, played by James Zschunke talks to his nephew, Fred, played by Noah Iverson while Bob Cratchit, played by Phil Hanson sits at his desk. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

The ghost of Scrooge's dead business partner, Jacob Marley, played by Jon Cochran, comes to warn a terrified Scrooge of what is to come if he does not change his ways. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

The ghost of Scrooge's dead business partner, Jacob Marley, played by Jon Cochran, comes to warn Scrooge of what is to come if he does not change his ways. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

The Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Bailey Lowe arrives in Scrooge's bedroom during rehearsal Monday for "A Christmas Carol.". Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Scrooge, played by James Zschunke watches scenes from his past along with his guide, the Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Bailey Lowe. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

Guests of Fezziwig's Christmas party join in a festive dance while Scrooge and Christmas Past watch. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Fezziwig, played by Jason Howland, encourages the fiddler to begin a song to start the Christmas party. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

Scrooge's former fiancée Belle, played by Selah Griffith sings while Fezzigwig, played by Jason Howland, and other party guests watch in admiration. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune.

A group of carolers takes to the stage to sing traditional Christmas carols between scenes. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune

By Ayanna Eckblad

Beginning on Thursday, Albert Lea Community Theatre will welcome guests for their latest show, “A Christmas Carol.”

Since auditions were held in late October, everyone in the cast and crew have been working hard to get the show off of the ground and become the polished version audiences will see this week.

With a cast of more than 30 local actors and directed by Glen Parsons, the show centers around Ebenezer Scrooge, who is haunted by the ghost of his late partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Faced with his own mortality and the evil results of his misanthropic, miserly ways, Scrooge is redeemed, reconciled with his nephew and his neighbors, and becomes a second father to his assistant’s son, Tiny Tim.

The show has quite a long history for many of the actors and crew of the show. Parsons, who has acted and directed shows in Albert Lea since the 1970s, played the role of Ebenezer Scrooge four times.

“The last time I played Scrooge and directed,” Parsons said. “I said ‘Ugh, never again,,’ because he’s onstage constantly, hardly ever offstage… I really work at making him crabby and awful at the beginning so you see this nasty old man and then the transformation.”

This time around, Parsons has stuck with being just the director with the lead role of Scrooge going to James Zschunke.

The show means a lot to fellow actor Jason Howland as well. He has been acting for most of his life, beginning with plays in elementary school and continuing throughout high school and college.

“My very first show that I was ever in for Albert Lea theater was ‘Christmas Carol’ in 2011,” he said. “Glen directed that show as well and played Scrooge … I played the Ghost of Christmas Present.”

This year, Howland is playing Scrooge’s former employer, Fezziwig.

“My character is really jovial and he’s throwing a party for Christmas,” Howland said. “I hope the audience enjoys the party we’re having because we’re going to be dancing and singing and having a good time, drinking and being merry.”

Another seasoned actor, Jon Cochran, will be playing Scrooge’s former business partner, Jacob Marley, who appears to Scrooge at the beginning of the play despite being “dead as a doornail.”

“I hope they’re a little scared of me,” Cochran said. He has been acting for over 30 years, and said that his favorite part is taking a character that is just someone you read about and making them larger than life.

Michelle Supalla is playing the role of Mrs. Cratchit. She started acting fairly recently in 2015 but has already been in 16 different shows.

“I enjoy it,” she said. “Meeting new people when they come in and also seeing familiar faces and working with people that you’ve worked with before.”

As for her role in “A Christmas Carol,” she said, “I’m hoping they … can sympathize with why I don’t like Mr. Scrooge. I just hope the audience enjoys themselves.”

Although the original story by Charles Dickens is turning 180 this year, the play still resonates with people today.

“It tells the story of someone who is kind of lost, and I think even people sometimes today feel that,” Parsons said.

He hopes that audiences will be reminded of the show’s message to be generous, care about one another and have hope.

“It’s my favorite show and … I love it so much,” Parsons said. “I really view this as a gift to the community.”

“A Christmas Carol” will be performed at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center on Dec. 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Shows start at 7:30 p.m., with the Dec. 10, matinee beginning at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased over the phone by calling 877-730-3144 (service fees apply), online at actonbroadway.com or at the box office.

Tickets also are for sale at the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau. More information on tickets and box office hours is on actonbroadway.com.

Cast

Charles Dickens: Mark Place

Ebenezer Scrooge: James Zschunke

Bob Cratchit: Phil Hanson

Mrs. Cratchit: Michelle Supalla

Jacob Marley: Jon Cochran

Fred Bennison: Noah Iverson

Mary Bennison: Mady Schlaak

Fezziwig: Jason Howland

Mrs. Fezziwig: Heather Kohler

Peter Greenlaw: Ethan Eriksmoen

Caroline Greenlaw: Mady Schlaak

Young Ebenezer: Jackson Bighley

Dick Wilkins: Connor Hanson

Belle Christopher: Selah Griffith

Gerry Christopher: Jackson Bighley

Ghost of Christmas Past: Bailey Lowe

Ghost of Christmas Present: Mark Place

Ghost of the Future: Daniel Montenegro

1st Charitable Lady: Aubrey Taylor

2nd Charitable Lady: Melanie Sanchez

Peter Cratchit: Connor Hanson

Martha Cratchit: Charlotte Poppel

Belinda Cratchit: Audrey Gustafson

Robert Cratchit: Abraham Gonzales

Emily Cratchit: Cora Klukow

Tiny Tim: Samuel Gustafson

Old Joe Snatchly: Brian Mattson

Mrs. Gooley: Amber Mattson

Mrs. Dilber: Emma McColley

Ben Scrooge: Atticus Ludington

Fanny Scrooge: Kiara Moen

Tom Keddle: Daniel Montenegro

Want: Kinley Bowman

Ignorance: Eleanor Martinez

Boy in Sunday Clothes: Nyx Mayberry

Orphans: Olivia Dempewolfe, Mariah Hillman

Production staff

Director: Glen Parsons

Set Designer/Builder: Mark Bartleson

Lighting Designer: Dietrich Poppen

Stage Manager: Risha Lilienthal

Asst. Stage Managers: Ethan Eriksmoen, Gary Schindler

Production Manager: Sue Runden

Costumes: Rosalie Truax

Props Curator: Sue Runden

Set Dressing: Glen Parsons

Light & Sound Technicians: Carrie Kirsch, Bennett Schlaak, Carter Schlaak