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Tri-Valley residents are invited to join the cast of Livermore-based Encore Players for a staged reading of the beloved Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” this week.
The local theater production company — which seeks to showcase a diverse cast of actors ranging from kindergarteners to seniors — is bringing its adaptation of the longstanding holiday favorite to Livermore’s Civic Center Library on Thursday (Dec. 12), with the audience invited to join the cast in donning costumes of their favorite characters from the story.
“Readers will be in character with scripts in hand,” Encore Players member Donna Blevins said. “There will be some movement between Scrooge’s office and home and the Cratchits home. Marley and the Spirits will enter and guide Scrooge through his past, the present, and the future if things remain unchanged.”
While the story features a range of memorable characters, the star of the show is arguably the infamous curmudgeon and anti-hero Ebenezer Scrooge, played by Bill Leach, as well as the well-known “intrusive” narrator – a role that was outsourced for the upcoming production.
“The timeless story is narrated by Tim Ackerman who is actually traveling from London this month to visit family and will participate in the play,” Blevins said.
While Encore Players features cast-members of a wide range of ages, the organization was formed 10 years ago with the goal of providing an outlet particularly for senior actors and directors – closer to Leach and Ackerman’s ages.
Nonetheless, Blevins said that the upcoming reading is aimed at evoking the spirit of one of the story’s youngest characters.
“Encore wants to share good tidings to all and as Tiny Tim said, ‘God Bless Us Everyone,'” Blevins said.
The free staged reading is scheduled for 7 p.m. at 1188 South Livermore Ave.
