As the production date looms, rehearsals for Magnolia High School and New Martinsville School’s production of Scrooge continue at the Magnolia High School Auditorium with each person giving their best to ensure this year’s show is a success.

This year has one of the largest casts in recent years, with the number of participants reaching almost 50, and everyone is pulling their own weight to put together a great show. Seniors leading the cast include: Daniel Seavy as the leading role; Bennet Siffrin as Marley’s Ghost, Mr. Fezziwig, and the Spirit of Christmas Future; and Kyle Veyon and Christian Estep as two of Scrooge’s Stooges. Also, Alyssa Warren is playing Mrs. Cratchit; Krysten Miller is Mrs. Filcher; and Kailee Napier is playing a charity lady. On the short list of juniors are Rachel Hoffpauir as the Spirit of Christmas Present; and Qaitlyn Nelson as a caroler and a merchant. Sophomores are Cody Hall as Scrooge’s nephew, Fred; Megan Veyon playing Fred’s fiance, Emily; Evan Newman and Dylan King as the rest of Scrooge’s Stooges; Anna Haught as Scrooge’s former fiance in a flashback sequence; and Lauran Stock as a merchant. Dylan King is also playing Dick Wilkins in a flashback scene. Many freshman are in the cast, with Mac Roberts as Bob Cratchit and Sarah Goddard in the part of the Spirit of Christmas Past. Other freshman include Kendra Pegg as a caroler; Myshna Napier as a charity lady; Alyssa Murdock and Samantha Lyons playing Belinda and Martha Cratchit, respectively; Emily Moulton as a merchant; Julianne McIlvain as Mrs. Dilber; and Jennifer Wright as the undertaker’s assistant.

With the addition of New Martinsville School kids this year, the cast has grown immensely. Jared Seavy, younger brother of Daniel Seavy, will be playing Scrooge as a boy, along with Glenna Brown playing Scrooge’s sister, Fan. Jared Bloom landed the role of Scrooge as a young man.

The part of Tiny Tim was given to third grader Jared Kocher, and Alex Glover will play Peter Cratchit. The remaining New Martinsville School children are in the chorus: Shaylee Lyons, Krya Slampak, Austin Stackpole, Nick Davis, Anne Miller, Summer Timbs, Patricia Loy, Emily McIlvain, Joanna Blake, Emma Thomas, Abbi Riter, Kacie Jo Brown, Hannah Rush, Carissa Durant, Ashley Briner, and Rachel Arbogast.

The sheer magnitude of these kids should reflect the great assistance that Magnolia has been given this year by New Martinsville School teachers Bruce Ensinger and Barb Daly. The show will be presented on Dec. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door, students being $6 and adults being $8.

Also, New Martinsville Band Patrons are sponsoring a Dip Dinner Dec. 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m. (or until food runs out), in the MHS Commons area. Food is 50 cents per “dip” and will be a potluck style meal. Proceeds benefit the MHS Band. Stay for “Scrooge” at 7:30 p.m. For more information call (304) 771-3638.