Musical with a moral returns to ABT

Because of its popularity last season, Arizona Broadway Theatre in Peoria will remount the musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.”

Familiar faces from the previous production mix with some new cast members to bring the tale to life.

Morgan Rudolph, who’s in the ensemble and plays young Scrooge’s love interest, said “A Christmas Carol” is a story that everyone “has probably seen in some form or another.”

“One of my first memories of it was when I saw the Muppets version of it,” she said with a laugh. “But just about everyone knows this story.”

Rudolph said she watched ABT’s version last year and loved everything from the sets and technical elements to the performances.

Edward Prostak reprises his role as the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge, who learns about the meaning of Christmas through three spirits.

Prostak said he’s more settled into the character this time around.

“I’m finding things out about (Scrooge) each chance that I get to play him,” he said. “I believe he’s not a mean person by nature, but just someone who’s disappointed that he didn’t get things he wanted out of life.”

This particular version of “A Christmas Carol” is penned by Broadway and Tony-award winning composer Lynn Ahrens and Oscar-winner Alan Menken, who wrote music for “The Little Mermaid,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Beauty and the Beast.”

The show is mostly sung with very little dialogue. The musical was first presented at Madison Square Garden several years ago, followed by a star-studded television movie with Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge.

Prostak said he watched the Madison Square Garden show, which featured many of his friends.

“I was so impressed by the music and the spectacle of it all,” he said. “But in the end, it’s still about the story.”

Joseph Martinez, director of the show, said the musical was such a big hit, he chose to bring it back, adding new set and technical elements, along with “more ghosts during the Jacob Marley scene.”

“The story is so timeless that everyone loves it and could watch it over and over,” he said. “And with the way the economy is right now, it’ll help lift people’s spirits.”

Prostak said “A Christmas Carol” is a great moral lesson for every day and not just the holidays.

“It’s the basis for a good life and how to live it, not just at Christmas,” he said.

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 623-876-2526 or mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.

'A CHRISTMAS CAROL’
WHERE: Arizona Broadway Theatre, 7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria.
WHEN: Nov. 27 to Dec. 27.
TICKETS: Starting at $49.
INFO: Call the box office at 623-776-8400 or visit www.azbroadwaytheatre.com.