by Anna Kat Thomas
Staff Writer
As things begin to wind down on Bryan Hill and the semester comes to a close, there is one group on campus whose work is not yet done. Beginning today at 7:30 p.m. the Hilltop Players and the Music Department will present “Scrooge—The Musical.”
Before the final curtain came down for “The Oedipus Story,” work began on Scrooge.
According to Director Bernie Belisle, “The two most intense parts of a [show‘s rehearsal period] are the beginning and the end. What has happened was that we have the end of Oedipus and the beginning of Scrooge overlapping, so the two most difficult parts were on top of each other.”
Because the schedules were so conflicting, Belisle says the Theater Department will not do it this way again.
One of the most demanding pieces of this musical is the stage. Scrooge claims its place among all the stages of Belisle’s 18 years at Bryan as the largest and most intricate.
Scrooge, unlike the more recent musicals done on campus, is very demanding in the tech department.
“It is challenging because there is a lot of expectations in terms of special effects,” Belisle said. “Plus, we have a village scene, so we have to find a way to get scenery off and on quickly, so it has been very challenging that way.”
Despite all of these challenges, the Hilltop Players are excited to present, for the first time, their rendition of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Filled with beautiful lyrics, spooky songs by Marley’s ghost and the ever-popular show tune music.
“This is a genuinely entertaining show that will lift your spirits and make you fully prepared for the Christmas season,” said senior Jason Hundley, who plays the role of Scrooge.
The show will run Dec. 9-11 at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets for Scrooge are still available at the Box Office in Rudd 114 from 12:00 -4:30 p.m. Credit card purchases can be made through the Bryan Bookstore at (423)-775-7271. The matinee cost $7. Regular show time tickets cost $5 for Bryan students, $8 for all other students and $10 for adults. For ticket availability call the Box Office at (423)-775-7500.