December 1, 2023
LANCASTER, Texas -- What comes to mind when you think of Scrooge? You most likely think of an old, ill-tempered man shouting "Bah, Humbug" as he faces the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. But what if the name Scrooge made you think of hip-hop instead? That's what the young actors and crew of the George W. Carver 6th Grade Center (GWC) theater department aim to do with their upcoming performance of the play Scrooge: The Remix.
The show, written by the GWC theater teacher, Johnique Mitchell, is a modern retelling of the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.
"I remixed the show and wrote it so the themes and messages were relatable to the students at their current age and what they experience in the world," said Mitchell. "We added hip-hop music to the show because it's what the students are attuned with right now, and they love it. Plus, A Christmas Carol is one of our oldest Christmas stories. I consider it an honor to bring it back and modernize it for my students."
Scrooge: The Remix is about a young boy named EJ who fears he'll be left alone for Christmas because his family members are doctors and his older brother is at college. The fear of being left alone makes him angry, and by the end of the story, he learns to open up and accept love, change, and Christmas cheer.
Derrick Wilson, who plays The Guide of Christmas Past, says he's ready to bring the story to life for the audience.
"My character is harsh with EJ, but it comes from a good place," says Wilson. "He's trying to help him find his Christmas spirit and become a better person. My favorite scene is when I shout some lines at the top of my lungs, so I hope the audience feels a sense of fear with my performance. If they do, I'll know I've done my job well."
Fellow thespian Aylin Hernandez says one of the more challenging parts of acting has been learning the lines for her character Lacy, but it was a rewarding feeling once she'd memorized them.
"Once I learned my lines, I focused on showcasing my character's personality," said Hernandez. "Lacy is a typical middle schooler, but she's energetic because she's bursting with Christmas joy. It's been fun to explore the different sides of her character, and I'm excited for the audience to see the performance live on stage."
In addition to memorizing lines, students had to rehearse their singing, practice choreography, and learn blocking. The production was a genuine team effort, with students and teachers all pitching in to make it a success.
"We have a cast and crew of about 30 students," said Mitchell. "With some staff members' help, we overcame our challenges and are ready to put on a great show. We have so much diversity and representation from the students on stage, and they're all coming together to tell an amazing story."
Mitchell says the audience can expect tear-jerking moments, comedic moments, singing, dancing, and, of course, the chance to hear really good hip-hop music.
Scrooge: The Remix will be performed on Friday, December 1, and Saturday, December 2, at the Lancaster Middle School auditorium. The shows begin at 6:30 p.m., and tickets are available at the following link: https://bit.ly/4a39jaP
