Dickens’ classic ‘A Christmas Carol’ presented this weekend

The County Road Baptist Church in New Limerick will present a stage drama of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, “A Christmas Carol” this Friday and Saturday.
    The traditional story of miserly and cold-hearted Ebenezer Scrooge, greeted by three different ghosts gets a bit of a twist with a cast of 11 performers playing multiple roles. Performers are prepared to be quick on their feet as they change costumes to assume different roles.
The story’s timeless message of repentance and new beginnings will be punctuated with a touch of comedy and light-heartedness. This year the story was chosen and specifically adapted for County Road Baptist Church with staging by Cathleen Carver. Her husband, Pastor Rick Carver, directs the show and plays the lead as Ebenezer Scrooge. His portrayal as Ebenezer is supported by his two oldest sons. Matthew Carver, 14, will play young Ebenezer in business. Ethan, 9, portrays Ebenezer, the young boy. The Carver family resides in Houlton.
Family ties are not limited to the Carver household. Tom and Jane Zimmerman of Smyrna  portray Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cratchit, parents of frail Tiny Tim. They weather the storms of life — poverty, sickness, and loss.
In addition to building believable characters, Tony Michaud of Hodgdon and Cathleen Carver built moveable sets. The former church platform was transformed into a snowy covered street, a sitting room, a parlor and a trading post.
Nathan Foster, also of Hodgdon, in charge of lighting and sound effects, will set the mood with his own brand of technical wizardry. He has several special effects planned. His smoke machine to replicate fog, according to Cathleen Carver, does not aggravate lung conditions like asthma. Foster’s wife, Megan,  handles backstage directions in addition to her work as a stagehand.
Carmel Bowers of Island Falls, who invested many hours of her time, is the costume designer. She has completed an impressive wardrobe of period costumes. And, last Christmas, her work was on display for the Greater Houlton Christian Academy’s production of “Annie.”
There will be two performances. Both will be at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19. Admission is free with a nursery open for families with small children.
The Church is located at 1643 County Road in New Limerick, just past Wayne’s Auto traveling west on the County Road. For information on the production or other church events, call 532-9182.