Hedgerow Theatre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Ebenezer Scrooge is the central character in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but equally important to the story are the spirits whose visits transform him from miser to philanthropist. In his new adaptation of the classic, which runs through December 27, Hedgerow Theatre Artistic Director Jared Reed decided to incorporate the use of puppets to portray them.

"We wanted to make the ghostly aspects of Christmas Carol really stand out," Reed explained, "and being able to take the spirits into a more non-human, or, at least, not a recognizable person helps create a sense of wonder. I think they create a world where you get a feeling that anything can happen and allow our imaginations to take us on this journey."

Dickens described the ghosts in great detail, and the puppets help recreate them in ways a human can't achieve. The Ghost of Christmas Past is said to be like a child and yet an old man, with a completely white face without wrinkles. The puppet mask used by an actor achieves that effect. The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is played solely by a puppet, a large eerie spectre that embodies what Dickens called a "mysterious presence," "shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand" that filled Scrooge with dread.

The puppets were designed and created by Alisa Sickora Kleckner, who also did the same job on last spring's well-received Don Quixote. Kleckner is an award-winning theatre artist who serves as an adjunct professor and resident designer at Arcadia University, where she teaches courses in costume design and construction, puppet theatre and stage makeup. She has worked at many regional theatres, and also co-founded Little Bunny Voodoo with her husband Chris and produces, designs, directs, puppeteers and sometimes even writes original puppet shows for adults.

While other theatres also do versions of A Christmas Carol, Reed feels that the Hedgerow production stands out from them. "It's different from other theatre's shows," he said, "in that we have 80 people, professional and amateur, returning player and new, coming together to share this story with wildly enthusiastic audience who come back every year with their families, and have for 23 years."

Adult ticket prices for Friday, Saturday evening and Sunday shows are $34; Monday through Thursday and Saturday twilight shows are $29. There is a $3 discount for seniors. Tickets for those 30 and under are $20 and $15 for students with valid ID. For groups of 10 or more, tickets are $18. Members can purchase half-price tickets for all shows. Prices include all fees and are subject to change. For reservations or more info, call 610-565-4211 or visit www.HedgerowTheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre is located at 64 Rose Valley Road in Rose Valley (near Media).Photo: Zoran Kovcic as Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Past