Spirits of Christmas: ‘A Christmas Carol’ taking the stage at GRT

The downtown Christmas tradition is returning this year as actors take the stage in ‘A Christmas Carol’ with Graham Regional Theatre.

Over 30 actors will take part in five performances from Dec. 19-21 at The Perry theater at 521 Elm St. Auditions were held Sunday, Nov. 16 at The Perry theater to select each role.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec, 19, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. 

Directing the play this year is Denise Cyr and Elizabeth Kirkland, with the story remaining the same as the local versions written in 2017, with tweaks to remain fresh.

Serving in multiple roles, GRT veteran Kay Berru said the show has become a tradition around the holiday season in Graham that introduces many to the world of theatre.

“I think that our community enjoys this ‘new’ tradition,” Berru said. “As a board member of GRT, I like that we have new people audition every year. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a good way to test the waters for someone who has never been in a theatrical production. It is a show with many roles that don’t require a lot of time commitment but are absolutely necessary to tell the story.”

Following auditions, the actors hit the ground running with a read-through rehearsal Thursday, Nov. 20 and will move into blocking Sunday, Nov. 30.

The main lead of Scrooge is having the role reprised by Scott Kirkland who is also a veteran of GRT, playing a number of roles across many plays. 

“We have several actors who are returning. Some are in the exact role from last year, others are portraying characters that are new to them,” Berru said. “I am reprising a role that I played in 2017. I think I count 14 who are new to ‘A Christmas Carol,’ but some of them have done other shows with us.” 

Berru said having a theatre like GRT provides an outlet for creativity in the community and a way to bring many aspects of fine arts in one location.

“We act, sing, dance, paint, design and combine it all into a show for our audiences. We hope that our audience is entertained,” she said. “There are shows that are just for fun and there are shows that reflect society, good and not so good. ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a redemption story. We watch as Scrooge is shown the mistakes he has made in life and how he changes for the better.”

The 2025 season for GRT closes out with the show this month and work is underway on the upcoming season which is to be announced. To stay up to date with GRT, visit their website at grahamregionaltheatre.com.

‘A Christmas Carol’ Cast

Scrooge: Scott Kirkland

Bob Cratchit: Jackson Thorne

Fred: Zach Berru

Mr. Charleton: Matt Pruitt

Maid/Mrs. Oliver: Kay Berru

Jacob Marley, John: Joseph Cyr

Ghost Of Christmas Past: Brylee Jones

Young Ebenezer: Liam Nunley

William: Levi Tait

Gregory: Sam Tait

Fan: Evelyn Cyr

Young Scrooge: Jack Page, Liam Bailey

Belle: Kenzie Kline

Ghost Of Christmas Present: Darrin Dillard

Fezziwig: Charleigh Krajca

Shopper 1: Rosemary Spingle, Kayleigh Sams

Shopper 2: Kambrey Moore, Sara Dospapas 

Mrs. Cratchit: Jade Dospapas 

Peter: Payden Alvarado, Dax Jenkins

Patricia: Chance Jones, Amelia Lunger

Belinda: Cheyenne Moore, Lillian Lunger 

Martha: Brooklyn Bachman, Faith Kirkland

Tiny Tim: Jonathan Kline

Christine: Jessica Hayter

Caroline: Hannah Leverton

Want: Tatum Schmidt, Arrow Pruitt

Ignorance: Addison Jones, Juliette Nunley

Ghost of Christmas Future: Katie Huitt

Old Joe: Isaac Tait

Child On Christmas Morning: Riley Mazy

Caroling Ensemble: Payden Alvarado, Brooklyn Bachman, Evelyn Cyr, Dax Jenkins, Addison Jones, Chance Jones, Faith Kirkland, Amelia Lunger, Lillian Lunger, Riley Mazy, Cheyenne Moore, Juliette Nunley, Liam Nunley, Arrow Pruitt, Tatum Schmidt, Levi Tait and Sam Tait