I was honored to sketch at the world premiere of A Halloween Carol musical written and composed by local playwright Tracey Jane. I had sketched at a prior rehearsal so I knew several songs from this unique spooky musical but this would be the first time I could experience the whole tale. I arrive at the artist’s call time at the stage door. I helped the musical director (Billy Williams) move a few folding chairs into the theater and then considered what my best angle might be to sketch the circular stage.
Tracey suggested I sketch from a wooden balcony that had been set up and that was indeed the best vantage point. At first all the actors sat on the circular stage but then the musical director asked for all the actors who were not wearing a mic to stand in front of the stage. This was how they rehearsed until the house opened. However for the final performance they all returned to the stage. This made for a challenging sketch opportunity.
The show as a delightful retelling of Charles Dickens Christmas Story. This story however took place in the present in a high school. Carol Cratchit (Alessia Preda) was visited by her BFF Marley Jacobs who had left for Idaho. As a song put it, she didn’t die, you know; she moved to I-DA-HO!” The show is about facing ones fears and indeed Carol is visited by 3 ghosts, the Ghost of Halloween Past, The Ghost of Halloween Present, and in a tense verb twist, The Ghost of Halloween Past Perfect.
Past Perfect (Carson Holly) gave a particularly memorable performance that left the audience stunned for a moment. Another amazing performance was by Alessia Preda as she sang “Electricity” about her crush Evan Neezer (Jacob Steele). Barnaby (Stephen Lewis) had everyone including Alessia in stitches as he performed as a happy hamster who loved life but unexpectedly passed away. In the talk back after the show, Tracey explained that her family got a hamster during the pandemic but hamsters only live 2 years, so he did not live to see the possible end of the pandemic. He lay on his back with his feet in the air and the cast sang “Barnaby’s Eulogy”. His foot twitched ever so slightly from the effort. Tracy gave him wings and a halo and he hilariously walked his way up the blood soaked staircase, disappearing into the greenroom.
I don’t think I will unveil the ghoulish plot twist that is at the core of this macabre tale. This workshop which showcased the 26 or so songs, is just the beginning of this show’s evolution. The rich orchestrations by Christopher Robinason were pared down for this workshop to just piano and percussion. The music will truly shine when performed by a full orchestra. The soundtrack will be available for sale and the hope is to raise enough through patrons and sales to fully stage the production in 2023.