tiny tim scrooge, the musical athens deland
HERE ARE BOB CRATCHIT (CHRIS SICILIANO) AND THE ADORABLE, INSTANTLY LOVABLE TINY TIM (PEYTON SICILIANO). PHOTOS COURTESY MIKE KITAIF

BY SANTI GABINO JR.

The Super Bowl of holidays is upon us, and I’m pretty sure that we can all agree that we need a little Christmas, right this very minute!

Admit it, you sang that last line in your head as you read it, didn’t you?

Of all the Christmastime traditions and classics, few are as etched on the human spirit as Charles Dickens’ tale A Christmas Carol and its miserly, penny-pinching, main character, Scrooge.

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT (TONY MAYATO) ENJOYS THE MANY RICHES OF THE SEASON!

A self-proclaimed “greedy, old sinner” from the start, Scrooge reminds us that there is always room for change, a chance to do better, a lesson to learn.

Dickens’ treasured tale carries with it a meaning that goes beyond the tinsel, bright lights, sugar cookies and hot cocoa. In fact, the word Scrooge has become commonplace in English vocabulary — “Don’t be such a Scrooge!”

The story makes audiences take inventory of their lives. Unlike any other holiday narrative, it makes us reflect on the things that truly matter most.

The Athens Theatre’s production of Scrooge, The Musical, premieres at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, and will run until Sunday, Dec. 18. Truly, we can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season!

SCROOGE (PLAYED BY MICHAEL FUNARO) IS VISITED BY THE GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY (PAUL BOFFANO).

The production features a star-studded cast under the skilled direction of Trevor Southworth, who previously directed The Fantasticks, Plaid Tidings, Spamalot, The Producers, Legally Blonde, Sister Act, Holiday Inn and A Christmas Story, The Musical.

With original music, lyrics and book by Leslie Bricusse, Scrooge, The Musical’s boisterous and melodious performance with an impressive cast is sure to warm your heart.

Playing the title character is Michael Funaro (who thrilled audiences as King Arthur in Spamalot, along with several other Athens productions, such as Sweeney Todd, Les Misérables and Inherit the Wind).

Rounding out this memorable Yuletide show are Paul Boffano as Jacob Marley, Chris Siciliano (whom audiences may have seen on the Athens stage in Ragtime, Elf, The Producers and Singin’ in the Rain, to name a few) as Bob Cratchit, and Peyton Siciliano (Chris’ adorable real-life son) as the unforgettable Tiny Tim.

Because this show is appropriate for all ages, call up Aunt Eunice and Uncle Bill, tell Grandma to take a break from knitting that afghan, and notify your sister Sally not to waste her time on yet another blind date! And we can all agree that little Johnny spends way too much time playing video games anyways! Get them all in the car to come out and see the show, and get ready to tell everyone, near and far, “Merry Christmas and God bless us, everyone!”

Tickets cost $32 for preferred reserved seating (rows A-F center orchestra, and CC-DD center balcony); $27 for adults; $25 for senior citizens; $12 for students/children; and $23 per person for groups of eight or more. A $4-per-ticket processing charge will be added to each purchase.

Be sure to join us in raising a glass on opening night for our traditional, complimentary champagne (or sparkling juice) toast!

A special ASL/English-interpreted performance will be Friday, Dec. 9. To purchase tickets in the section with the best sightlines to the interpreters, please contact the box office.

All tickets and information are available online at the Athens Theatre website (www.AthensDeLand.com), or by calling the box office at 386-736-1500. Box-office hours are 1-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, and 1 1/2 hours before live performances.

Really feeling the holiday spirit? For any performance, make it a memorable night out and consider purchasing our special, catered VIP Box Seats, $408 for up to 11 seats.

Special note: In the spirit of Christmas and giving, special boxes will be set up in the theater lobby for all shows. We encourage you to bring an unwrapped toy for children ages 1-16. Together with local charity The Neighborhood Center of West Volusia, we hope to bring a smile this holiday season to underprivileged children in our community. All toys collected will be distributed at the center’s community barbecue Saturday, Dec. 17. Help us help them by opening your hearts, and don’t be called a Scrooge this season … see what we did there?

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