A Christmas Carol is a play about a mean-spirited and selfish old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas. One cold Christmas Eve, Scrooge is unkind to the people who work for him, then refuses to give to charity, and then is rude to his nephew when he invites him to spend Christmas with him. Prince William Little Theatre presents the Touring Version of this holiday classic, opening Friday, December 10 and closing Sunday, December 19 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Upon completion of this holiday classic, be prepared to sing along to PWLT’s Choral Christmas Card. 

Speaking to several of the actors involved in our upcoming show reveals why this is a must see production. Garth Porter who plays Ebenezer Scrooge thinks the part when the Ghost of Christmas Present throws Scrooge’s despicable words back at him is an important part in the play. It gives us a deeper understanding of how our actions can impact the world around us. However, this play also shows us how humility and reflection can bring about change.

Hayley Katarina-Meyer who plays the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future points out her favorite part of the production is when Scrooge is offered redemption because it sends such a powerful message.

Oliver Norcom who plays Fred and Young Ebenezer Scrooge has a different scene in mind. He likes the part when Scrooge is taken back in time to see his sister again. That scene shows the audience that Scrooge does have a heart, even if it’s a small one.

Kyle Prado who plays Tiny Tim and Young Ebenezer says “God Bless Us Everyone” is his favorite line is the play. It does evoke the true spirit of the holiday.

Most of us know the story Charles Dickens penned many years ago. We also have our own beloved traditions and memories of this time of the season. Katie Morris, our stage manager for the show, has fond memories of large family gatherings and gift exchanges with her father’s side of the family. They would sing the 12 days of Christmas and other holiday songs while her Aunt Violet played the piano. Kyle loves theatre, Christmas and PWLT and his favorite part of the holiday is opening presents. Hayley cherishes watching Christmas movies growing up and snuggling up with her family and enjoying the fellowship. Garth says he watches the 1970’s version of Scrooge and then decorates cookies with his kids. We hope seeing our seasonal production will become a cherished memory for your family.

Performance Dates:
Friday Dec. 10, 2021, 8:00pm
Saturday Dec. 11, 2021, 2:00pm
Saturday Dec. 11, 2021, 7:00pm
Sunday Dec. 12, 2021, 2:00pm
Friday Dec. 17, 2021, 8:00pm
Saturday Dec. 18, 2021, 2:00pm
Saturday Dec. 18, 2021, 7:00pm
Sunday Dec. 19, 2021, 2:00pm
Performance Location:
Gregory Family Theater, Hylton Performing Arts Center, Manassas, VA

Cast
Ebenezer Scrooge: Garth Porter
Christmas Past/Christmas Future: Hayley Katarina-Meyer
Bob Cratchit/Dick: Andrew Bates
Belle/Sarah: Jennifer Preston
Christmas Present/Jacob Marley/Headmaster: Jake Chandler
Boy/Tiny Tim/Young Ebenezer: Kyle Prado
Girl/Fan/Belinda: Brielle McCleerey
Fred/Ebenezer: Oliver Norcom
Charles Dickens/Blind Man/Gentleman/Fezziwig: Jared Dent
Mrs. Cratchit/Woman: Dora Duru

Get your tickets today: https://mpv.tickets.com/schedule/?agency=GMU_HYLTON_MPV...

Katherine is one of our favorite cast and crew participants at PWLT. She has been with our theatre since 2006 when she performed in To Kill a Mockingbird. Other shows she was on stage with us were Charlie Brown Christmas and Radio TBS. Backstage she has been the stage manager for several shows: Tuesdays with Morrie, The 39 Steps and Anne of Green Gables. In addition, she has previously served as a Board member and led the Christmas Parade Committee. In addition to her winning smile, great sense of humor and can-do attitude, you can tell one of the other reasons we value her so much, she can do it all!

Katherine is drawn to theatre for many reasons. “I love making people react to a scene that moves them. It can be pin-drop quiet and all you hear is crying. Or you hear someone just busting a gut laughing.” She admits that academics and sports were never her thing and like many of the rest of us was called to the world of make-believe. Being involved in theatre from fourth grade onward she found a place she could excel. “Theater let me play onstage and then I got into stage managing which really lets my organizational skills shine! Plus techies are always in high demand so it’s easy to help out.” Katherine is a great stage manager due to those skills, but perhaps it was cultivated by her dad. She has a tattoo of a life lesson her dad impressed upon her. “Think, double check, be neat”

However, Katherine finds being in the audience is just as much fun as being a part of the production. That’s a great way of saying everyone in a production has a part to play, along with the people viewing the show.  Katherine commented that she was recently moved by a graduation speech she heard, “We’re all the universe. We’re all the atoms. We’re all the matter. We all matter.” Along with her husband they go to many different productions and like to watch a lot of movies. When not being entertained by the arts, she enjoys taking trips with friends.

When asked to provide a philosophy that summed up her attitude toward life she responded with a scene from To Kill a Mocking Bird. 

"I think I'll be a clown when I get grown,' said Dill. ‘Yes sir, a clown,' he said. 'There ain't one thing in this world I can do about folks except laugh, so I'm gonna join the circus and laugh my head off.'

“You got it backwards, Dill,' said Jem. 'Clowns are sad, it's folks that laugh at them.'

“Well I'm gonna be a new kind of clown. I'm gonna stand in the middle of the ring and laugh at the folks’

Katherine adores her theatre family and we adore Katherine – let’s continue to laugh and love together.

Greetings theatre lovers! The holidays are a time of year for reflection. Reflection for what we are thankful for, and reflection on the year past. 

As we began 2021, we had no idea when we would be able to perform again. We focused on what could do to bring the arts, in the interim. Late March, we received word that we could safely come back into the theatre.   The first show of our season, the Original Works Festival, was brought to you virtually. Our second show, Dial M for Murder, this past October, was the first in the theater since 2019. We opened to great audiences. What a thankful feeling.

Given this past year, and all the unknowns, I reflect on our audiences and our PWLT family. 

Thank you to everyone who helped us continue to sustain, despite all the unknowns. We couldn’t have done it without you.   

Let us know if you have any ideas.  What would you like to see?  We’d love to hear from you. Reach out to us at [email protected]​.

Thank you for keeping up with PWLT.  
Stay safe, take care, and keep performing.

See you at the theatre!  (soon)

Chrissy Mastrangelo, PWLT President