by Lorie Lewis Ham

A Christmas Carol is one of my all-time favorite stories, and it sounds like Good Company Players has put a brand new twist on it! Because one of our own, Terrance McArthur, is in this show we weren’t able to manage a review, however, we did chat with the show’s director Elizabeth Fiester, and it sounds like a show you won’t want to miss! A Christmas Carol will be on stage at 2nd Space in Fresno through December 23.

KRL: Why did you want to direct this show?

Elizabeth: I’m a big fan of A Christmas Carol! It started in childhood, from reading the Charles Dickens novella and watching black and white movies on television while growing up; to the Muppet version of A Christmas Carol starring Michael Caine as Scrooge. I think the story is meaningful and relatable, and I’m all for all of us learning or being reminded of the gift of generosity.

KRL: Did you write this adaption and can you tell us a little about it?

Elizabeth: This adaptation was written by Good Company Player’s own Emily Pessano. She has performed in various versions of A Christmas Carol, here with Good Company Players and also while working at Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. Emily and I share a love for the story, I think I understood her version right away so the process of putting the script on stage has been creative and inspiring. Emily has made the story accessible for a modern audience member, particularly young audience members, while preserving and respecting the original novella. Audience members familiar and unfamiliar with the story will enjoy this new version.

KRL: Did you have something special you wanted the audience to take away from this production?

Elizabeth: With any Christmas show I want an audience member to come away with hope and joy AND a reminder that it is our pleasure and our duty to be generous to our fellow humans.

KRL: What was the hardest part of directing this show?

Elizabeth: The hardest part of directing A Christmas Carol? How about the most challenging part? There are 28 cast members and short scenes, some of which move from modern day to Victorian England, so it has been challenging to organize who is in which scene, who has a fast costume change, who’s available to switch scenery or bring on furniture. Props to my cast for being patient and very quick to adapt. Also, I was out with COVID for a week of the rehearsal period, actually, right at the time we moved from the rehearsal space into the theater and I had to be covered by Dan Pessano and Emily Pessano, who are rehearsing another show across the street, and that was hard on all of us. So, a big Thank You to Dan and Emily, the cast, and my Stage Manager Jocelyn for getting us through that.

KRL: What has been the most fun?

Elizabeth: The best thing about directing A Christmas Carol, is directing this new adaptation, it’s always interesting and challenging (in a good way) to look at a familiar piece in a new way.

KRL: Ever since COVID our world has changed and I know it has had a big impact on theatre, I understand you have quite a few understudies to combat that problem—can you tell us a little about that?

Elizabeth: COVID has been a challenge and thinking ahead to get every character covered is a massive undertaking no matter what show you’re directing. Over the past two years, we have had a core of performers who have been heroic helping us keep both theaters running. Specifically for A Christmas Carol, I made a huge grid that listed the actor, character, and character understudy for 42 characters, it’s overwhelming to look at it. But, everyone in rehearsal has lived up to their understudy responsibility, I am so proud of the cast for understanding that they need to be ready.

KRL: That’s amazing! Anything you would like to add?

Elizabeth: I’d like to tell your readers that A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Emily Pessano, is delightful and they will see the old story in a new light. Which, I think, might be one of the goals of celebrating this season.

A Christmas Carol runs through December 23. The 2nd Space Theatre is at 928 E. Olive Ave, in Fresno. For tickets and further information, contact www.gcplayers.com, or call (559) 266-9494.

Check out more local entertainment articles in our Arts & Entertainment section. And don’t miss out on Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast where we feature mystery stories read by local actors!

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie’s mystery writing at Mysteryrat’s Closet. Lorie’s latest mystery novel, One of Us, is set in the Tower District of Fresno and the world of community theatre!<