Possum Point Players' 'Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge' to open Dec. 4
“The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” promises to stretch the imagination from a strict and structured court of law to a flight of fancy where ghosts, spirits and characters from dreams occupy the witness stand and swear their innocence. As Ebenezer Scrooge charges them all with a litany of offenses, including kidnapping, trespassing, stalking and slander, are we seeing Scrooge as he was before or maybe the way he was before before? Audiences really need to see “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” to know and maybe understand.
Show dates for the Possum Point Players’ Christmas production are Friday to Sunday, Dec. 4 to 6 and Dec. 11 to 13. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults and $17 for seniors and students. To purchase tickets, call 302-856-4560 or go to www.possumpointplayers.org.
Director Jim Hartzell admits it might be best if audience members don’t try to figure things out. “So, sit back,” he said, “And enjoy a wonderful cast in a delightfully irreverent take-off from Dickens’ tale.”
Characters in and out of the courtroom include a chain-laden ghost who finally appeared to Scrooge after being on a haunting waiting list for seven years, and one of the big three Christmas spirits, who requires a courtroom translator because he only speaks ghost. The judge himself can’t hide his own humbug characteristics and Scrooge, acting as his own attorney, performs with a paucity of protocol as his outbursts rile judge and spirits alike.
Hartzell said, “Dealing with dreams and ghosts and reality and fantasy within the same script is difficult enough. Add in familiar and beloved characters and story lines from arguably the most popular secular Christmas story and the result becomes a real, but humorous, test of wits for the audience, director and cast. Trust me, you may have an answer to your questions, but, like as not, it will prove to be as illogical as the circumstance which prompted the question.”
To dispel any traces of humbug, all who attend are encouraged to bring food donations. Possum Point Players has partnered with Food Bank of Delaware in collecting food for those who are experiencing need during the holiday season. A Food Bank collection barrel for nonperishable food will be in the lobby.
Possum Point Players will also be having a fundraiser in the Green Room during each show. Attendees are invited to stop in and bid on items collected from friends, members and local merchants.
