Bureau County Republican

Dickens’ classic story to be presented in Streator

Casting auditions will be Sept. 27

STREATOR — Community Players of Streator Inc. has announced Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented on Dec. 13. Performances will be at 2 and 7 p.m. at Engle Lane Theatre, 1012 Columbus Road, Streator. Ticket information will be available soon.

Casting auditions will be Sept. 27 at Engle Lane Theatre: 1 to 2 p.m. for five boys (ages 8-14) and two girls (ages 10-14); and 2 to 4 p.m. for 15 males and 12 females (ages 15-65). Participants will not need a prepared audition since scripts with selected scenes will be provided.

Under the direction of Scott Fulton, Streator native residing in West Chester, Ohio, and Brian Blasco, Streator native residing in Springfield, Ill., the directors have selected an adaptation by John Mortimer that was commissioned and first performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican Theatre, London, on Nov. 28, 1994. This local production will be presented in a readers’ theatre style: Performers will use scripts, scenery will be from multi-media projection along with music and sound effects. Questions may be forwarded to Fulton at scottalanfulton@hotmail.com.

“A Christmas Carol” is a novella that Dickens began to write in September 1843 with the intention of drawing readers’ attention to the plight of England’s poor. It was first published on Dec. 19, 1843, and was adapted for the stage almost immediately with productions opening in February 1844. Since that time has been adapted since to film, stage, opera and other media. It is the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter miser who has lost the meaning of Christmas, who through a journey into his past, present and future is given a second chance as he embraces love and generosity.

Founded in 1958, Community Players of Streator Inc. offers an opportunity to the people of Streator and the surrounding area to participate in non-professional theatrical activities while offering the general public an opportunity for the furtherance of appreciation of the theatre. For more information, visit www.englelane.org.