School News

‘A Christmas Carol’ hits Holy Name stage

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Last year, student actors at Holy Name of Mary School were off to see the Wizard. This year, they will telling the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the meaning of Christmas.

This year’s annual school production will be “A Christmas Carol,” based on the Charles Dickens story, for one night only next week. There are 132 students from grades 1-8 in the play, which is being directed by teacher Eileen McEnaney.

Eighth-grader Ryan Leighton will be playing the role of Scrooge. The master of ceremonies for the previous two productions, Ryan is now trying his hand at acting. He said he wanted a larger role for his last year at the school.

Ryan, also the Student Council president, said he enjoys playing Scrooge. “I kind of like yelling at all of the people,” he said, referring to his catch phrase, “Humbug!” He even has worked on a British accent and an angry face to get in character.

Jillian Manicdao is the Ghost of Christmas Present. She has been in the school play every year at Holy Name of Mary, but this is by far her biggest role. She said it is definitely more work because there are a lot of lines to memorize. But she enjoys her character and said she gets to act like Santa Claus, and has even tried to perfect a Santa-like laugh.

Sixth-grader Matthew Donoghue is the Ghost of Christmas Future. Though he doesn’t have a lot of speaking roles, Matthew said he has to do a lot of communicating with his hands.

In his second play at the school, there is one moment in “A Christmas Carol” he thinks the audience will enjoy. “When I first introduce myself to Scrooge, his face is hysterical,” Matthew said.

The ghost of Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s old business partner, will be played by newcomer Kevin Glaittli. The sixth-grade student came over from Blessed Sacrament School so this is his first time on the Holy Name stage. “It’s a chance to express yourself,” he said of acting. “It’s just fun to do.”

Kevin said he has worked on an “old, dragging” voice for his character. Learning his lines was easy, Kevin said, as he has studied the part every night. And the key to being successful, he added, is to learn how to be creative and have fun with a part.

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