The classic English story of a miser who is called to change on Christmas Eve night is coming to the auditorium at Madison Junior High School this week.
Rexburg Community Theatre is organizing a performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’, which is a biennial tradition for the theatre.
Rob Hibbard, director of Rexburg Community Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’, said the theatre performs a production of the classic Charles Dickens story every other year.
This has led to him playing various roles within the play, however, this year is his first time directing it. Hibbard also adapted the play to the stage, which means the production will have his unique touch.
“It’s more close and personal for the director because they’re involved in every aspect of it,” Hibbard said. Because I staged it, it’s kind of my baby.”
Hibbard’s favorite scene from the play is when Jacob Marley appears to Ebenezer Scrooge.
He said he grew to love Marley’s character when he played as Marley in a past production.
“Jacob appears to Scrooge and Scrooge is really shaken by seeing somebody who’s dead. And then telling him, ‘You need to change your ways, my friend, so you will be haunted by these ghosts.’ Jacob sets that… initial incident,” Hibbard said.
The director finds significance in the story of ‘A Christmas Carol’ through his faith in God, and believes everyone can find meaning in it.
“It’s a universal story,” he said. “It’s one for everybody, because all of us have a little bit of Ebenezer Scrooge in us. ‘A Christmas Carol’, I think, helps us to understand that being a good person not only makes your life more happy, but if you believe in the afterlife, then you know that the things you do here on Earth matter… in the eternities.”
The auditorium at Madison Junior High School has 600 seats. Hibbard hopes all of them are full each night.
“A Christmas Carol” will be showing Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. Audience members may purchase tickets here.