Staff Shares Favorite Moments from Our Holiday Tradition

While we are proud of all of our productions, LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL holds a special place in our hearts as we are in the second year of this production. I asked all the staff what their favorite parts are so I could share them with you.

Ashley Wells, Associate Artistic Director My favorite part of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is when the Ghost of Christmas past comes in. The reaction from the auditions is wonderful, from gasps to whispers to just a simple grin on the audiences faces. I know you only asked for one but a second one is the end of the show when the audience is not real sure what the noise is and then they see that it is snowing on them. Such fun.
Michaela Webb, Public Relations Manager It’s hard for me to nail down one certain part of LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL that I love the most. After all, I’m a sucker for joyful singing, dancing and emotional moments, which there is a lot of throughout the show. When I think about the show as a whole, my favorite part is the message that I’m left with–that no matter how old you are or what you have done in the past, as long as you are still here on this earth, it is never too late to make yourself a better person. This is such a powerful message.
Paula Stover, Executive Director My favorite part is the Cratchit family celebrating Christmas. The inherent goodness and kindness expressed by the family in blessing and toasting Scrooge is an example to all of us.
Deborah Minard, Business Manager My favorite/scary moment is Jamie flying across the audience. I hold my breath and wait until she makes it safely across and the scene is over. My brain is wired too far into Lyric’s safety to watch it without holding my breath.
Michael Baron, Artistic Director I think my favorite part is the opening sequence when the entire cast is throughout the theatre welcoming the audience to Dicken’s tale. With one-on-one interactions, singing of carols, and narration straight from Dickens it allows the audience and company of actors to start on the same page each year as Scrooge’s journey from greed to redemption is played out once more. I’m also a sucker for the musical sequences and special effects that only serve to make the performances even more powerful.
Robert Matson, Academy Administrator The ghost of Christmas yet to come. It gives a little bit of creepiness to the story and love watching the hands move.
Ben Williams, Box Office Manager May favorite part(s) of LYRIC’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL are the carols themselves. Simple and beautifully sung.
Allie Schexnayder, Special Projects Coordinator I adore the entire Fezziwig sequence. For me, it captures the spirit of the season- the joy and the laughter make me smile every single time. It’s even turned “I Saw Three Ships” into one of my favorite carols. I think the spirit of the entire cast is infectious!
Catherine Warren, Development Associate I love towards the end of the production when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come exits and the cast returns to the stage, singing softly as Scrooge continues to weep. At this moment, there is a calm that comes over the entire theatre. It is a beautiful moment that I love every time I see the production.
John Fowler, Production Manager One of the most touching moments in the play to me is when the ghost of future directs Scrooge to lift the vial of the corpse and gaze on the face of the person under it. For me this is the moment that Scrooge cannot shield himself anymore from the images that he has seen or is seeing and truly becomes transformed. At that moment is when I believe redemption for Scrooge begins.
Matthew Sipress, Associate Production Manager What I like most about Lyric’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL is how seamlessly the action moves through time and from place to place. That, without question, one door that is not the front door to someone’s home was, moments earlier, the door into Fezziwig’s party several years earlier.
Danyel Siler, Director of Marketing I love how this company of 19 actors transform into over 40 characters during this 2 hour play. The acting is truly amazing and these actors seem to do it with such ease. I especially love the scene at the end when Scrooge’s belongings are being sold to Old Joe.