MASH drama presents ‘A Christmas Carol’

In theater there is an old adage that “The show must go on.” The Medford Area Senior High School drama department is taking that saying to heart this fall as students work on their fall production.

At this point in a normal year, students would be busy memorizing lines and building sets. With the ongoing COVID-19 concerns making live shows impractical, Medford turned to the classics and decided to do a radio production of “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens.

Rehearsals have been underway since the beginning of the school year. According to director Lisa Porten, the production will be recorded and then aired on K99/WIGM over the holiday season.

The cast has 13 actors that play multiple roles. Elaina Jaslowski and Brook Meyer do the live sound cues. Allie Gripentrog handles all the music and pre-recorded sound cues. Rich Wirz is the sound engineer.

The cast list is as follows: Ebenezer Scrooge – Dexter Kraemer, The Narrator – Sierra Combs, Fred (Scrooge’s nephew) – Alexander Wilson, Bob Cratchit – Jacob Haavisto, Poole – Alexis Steffen , Lamb - Destiny Jochimsen, Marley’s Ghost – Elaina Jaslowski, First Spirit – Lindsey Klapatauskas, Fanny Scrooge – Susan Dake, Fezziwig – Alexander Wilson, Belle – Bregan Paul, Second Spirit – Aubry Chaffee, Mrs. Cratchit – Brook Meyer, Peter Cratchit – Bregan Paul, Martha Cratchit – Susan Dake, Belinda Cratchit – Aubry Chaffee, Tiny Tim – Nicole Schroeder, Kate (Fred’s Wife) – Nicole Schroeder, Guest No. 1 – Destiny Jochimsen, Guest No. 2 – Bregan Paul, Guest No. 3 – Alexis Steffen, Businessman No. 1 – Elaina Jaslowski, Businessman No. 2 – Lindsey Klapatauskas, Businessman No. 3 – Alexis Steffen, Charwoman – Susan Dake, Old Joe – Aubry Chaffee, Mrs. Dilber – Destiny Jochimsen and Buck – Lindsey Klapatauskas.

Sierra Combs reads her part during a recent rehearsal of the Charle Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” (Below) The high school is doing a radio play version of the play that will be aired on K99/ WIGM over the holiday season.