Dickens' holiday classic comes to Payson

PAYSON CHORAL SOCIETY PRESENTS

Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” the Musical

Mark your calendars now!  The Payson Choral Society’s Christmas Presentation of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” directed by Daria Mason with accompaniment by Gail Gory comes to the Payson High School auditorium on Saturday, December 13.

Performances are scheduled for 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM with an added performance on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 PM (Family Day). This is a special presentation of the UK acclaimed musical being performed for the first time in Arizona - Come get into the Christmas Spirit - Don’t be a Bah Humbug - Enjoy!

Tickets may be purchased in advance from Choral Society members, The Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, and at the library. Tickets will also be available at the door before each concert. Concert tickets are $10.00 at the door, and $8.00 advance sale. Children and students up to age 18 are admitted free.  Proceeds from the concerts provide musical scholarships to middle school and high school students. These are awarded each year at the Spring concert. For added information call John Landino 928-468-0023

Dickens' Story

Heaven and Christmas be praised for this!

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

Their faithful Friend and Servant,

Charles Dickens
December, 1843.

For many around the world, Christmas isn’t Christmas without revisiting the well loved tale of the penny-pinching miser, Ebenezer Scrooge and the awakening of his long forgotten festive spirit.

Written in the latter months of 1843, over a period of just a few weeks Charles Dickens, created one of his most affecting and universal novels, "A Christmas Carol".

This ghostly tale of the Past, Present and Future is brought to life in this exciting new musical adaptation. Keeping true to the original text, it draws upon the themes of time, family and society's ills to warm even the coldest of hearts.

When the spirit of Jacob Marley, his former partner, tells Scrooge he must know his responsibilities, Scrooge is taken on a very busy night to show him the error of his ways. With the Ghost of Christmas Past illustrating the importance of family and friends, Christmas Present representing charity and benevolence and Future bringing in its wake what should happen if all these lessons are forgotten, Scrooge becomes a changed man.

"And it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us!"

Drawing strongly on the theme of time, this adaptation shows that we must use our time wisely and understand that we have but a moment to make the right choices. With time ticking onward, Scrooge must make his life mean something before it is too late. When the bell tolls for Christmas Day, will he have the strength to change the man he has become over so many wasted years?

Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery. A journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colourful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.

Filled with joy, laughter and heartbreaking moments, this new adaptation has something for everyone, both young and old.