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Loosely inspired by the wonderful party scene referenced in Charles Dickens’ beloved novel, “A Christmas Carol,” the Ardensingers will unveil an extended take on the event in their musical production: “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
The show will kick off today at 2 p.m. at the Smyrna Opera House.
Party on!
While alcohol, h’orderves and dance-provoking tunes were used to entertain guests during Victorian era parties, which is similar to modern day celebrations, audiences will quickly discover that 19th century parties were thrown a little differently than its present day counterparts in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
Take Ardensinger actress Karla Hasbeen, who plays the role of The Lord of Misrule — The Lord of Misrule is an old tradition in which a person, usually a peasant or servant, is appointed by a group at a party to rule over the event, and he or she will typically do so in a backwards fashion, said Amy Karash, who plays as Mrs. Fezziwig. Typically when children were at a Victorian era party and it was getting late, their parents would tell them to go to bed. But usually the Lord of Misrule wouldn’t stand for children being treated like that under their watch, as is the case in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
“If the mother [of a child] wants [her] kids to go bed, [The Lord of Misrule is] going to say, ‘No, we’re going to eat candy,’” said Karash, who added The Lord of Misrule would also say, “Go to bed? That’s ridiculous!”
Though the production is named after Mr, Fezziwig, the show doesn’t center around the kindhearted old man, rather it focuses on the festive music and guests at he and his wife’s party, said director Cindy Tobias.
“We’re just doing what we would imagine the Fezziwig’s party would be like every year if they threw it,” Karash said.
The music in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party” features some of the Ardensingers’ favorite Christmas tunes, including “Deck the Halls,” “The Boar’s Head Carol” and “Joy to the World”.
But make no bones about it, the Fezziwigs are still essential to the show since they’re “the symbol for what a [19th century] Christmas is all about,” Karash said.
John Newport, who plays Mr. Fezziwig, knows his character may not be the focus of the show. Then again, he knows the audience will feel the warmth that he’ll convey through the character to the audience, he said.
Loosely inspired by the wonderful party scene referenced in Charles Dickens’ beloved novel, “A Christmas Carol,” the Ardensingers will unveil an extended take on the event in their musical production: “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
The show will kick off today at 2 p.m. at the Smyrna Opera House.
Party on!
While alcohol, h’orderves and dance-provoking tunes were used to entertain guests during Victorian era parties, which is similar to modern day celebrations, audiences will quickly discover that 19th century parties were thrown a little differently than its present day counterparts in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
Take Ardensinger actress Karla Hasbeen, who plays the role of The Lord of Misrule — The Lord of Misrule is an old tradition in which a person, usually a peasant or servant, is appointed by a group at a party to rule over the event, and he or she will typically do so in a backwards fashion, said Amy Karash, who plays as Mrs. Fezziwig. Typically when children were at a Victorian era party and it was getting late, their parents would tell them to go to bed. But usually the Lord of Misrule wouldn’t stand for children being treated like that under their watch, as is the case in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party”.
“If the mother [of a child] wants [her] kids to go bed, [The Lord of Misrule is] going to say, ‘No, we’re going to eat candy,’” said Karash, who added The Lord of Misrule would also say, “Go to bed? That’s ridiculous!”
Though the production is named after Mr, Fezziwig, the show doesn’t center around the kindhearted old man, rather it focuses on the festive music and guests at he and his wife’s party, said director Cindy Tobias.
“We’re just doing what we would imagine the Fezziwig’s party would be like every year if they threw it,” Karash said.
The music in “Fezziwig’s Christmas Party” features some of the Ardensingers’ favorite Christmas tunes, including “Deck the Halls,” “The Boar’s Head Carol” and “Joy to the World”.
But make no bones about it, the Fezziwigs are still essential to the show since they’re “the symbol for what a [19th century] Christmas is all about,” Karash said.
John Newport, who plays Mr. Fezziwig, knows his character may not be the focus of the show. Then again, he knows the audience will feel the warmth that he’ll convey through the character to the audience, he said.
‘Saint George and the Dragon’
During the show, children at Fezziwig’s party will perform a re-telling of the medieval tale, Saint George and the Dragon. The mythical tale is about George and his victory slaying a dragon.
Karash enjoys Tobias’ integration of having children perform “Saint George and the Dragon” in the show because she believes it wasn’t uncommon for kids to reenact fictional stories during Victorian era celebrations, she said.
Moreover, she said she’s excited to have youngsters on board with the older cast, since it makes for a more diverse and unique show.
“We’re just happy the young actors are participating with us in this production,” Karash said.
