Lutheran High School WestlandFine Arts Department

presents

A Christmas

Carol

by Charles Dickensadapted by Kate Ulrey

November 9, 2012 at 7:00 pmNovember 10, 2012 at 4:00 pm

West Gym, 33300 Cowan Road, Westland

“Mankind was my business!”

2

3

Lutheran High School WestlandFine Arts Department

presents

A Christmas

Carolby Charles Dickens

adapted by Kate Ulrey

November 9, 2012 at 7:00 pmNovember 10, 2012 at 4:00 pm

West Gym, 33300 Cowan Road, Westland

After the show you are invitedto enjoy the refreshments provided in the Lobby.

Scenes

Setting: Victorian London of the 1840s

Scene 1: The BeginningScene 2: Marley’s GhostScene 3: The PastScene 4: The PresentScene 5: The FutureScene 6: The End(There will be no intermission.)

4

CastThe BeginningShopper #1—Noelle PierceShopper #2—Emily BlasiolaShopper #3—Sarah BradenCrowd Scene: Brad Hura,Jonah Lambart, Kole Niemi, andKara UngerFred—Eric SmithScrooge—Peter SillanpaaCharity Worker #1—

Lauren TischlerCharity Worker #2—

Katie SmithMarley’s GhostMarley’s ghost—Janine EricksonThe PastGhost of Christmas Past—

Helene WoyczesczykYoung Scrooge—Mitchell MeyerFan—Sarah BradenFezziwig—Josiah MaseyMrs. Fezziwig—Katie SchmaltzDick—Connor EvenDancers—Abby Marzinski,Kayla Boye, Mackenzie York,and Jillian MatasovskyFiddler—Allison CrawfordBelle—Rachel WigginsThe PresentGhost of Christmas Present—

David KuschMrs. Cratchit—Angela MorrisonBelinda—Allison Crawford

Martha—Annalee KuhrPeter—Ian O’BanionTiny Tim—Natalie HusbyCratchit Children—EmiliaGruenhagen, EmmetMatasovsky, Caitlin O'Banion,Kaylyn M. Sankey, andKatie WentzelBob Cratchit—Brandon KrugerIsabel (Fred’s Wife)—Jane UlreyParty Guest #1—

Zoe JanuskowskiParty Guest #2—Ethan BeckerParty Guest #3—

Christine SankeyParty Guest #4—Chelsea KovacsParty Guest #5—

Nick Fox GarberIgnorance—Andrew WigginsWant—Grace ParentThe FutureGhost of Christmas Future—

Carrie CaruthersMourner #1—Allison UzarekMourner #2—Katie SchmaltzMourner #3—Shala MurrayMourner #4—Alana HillOld Joe—Matthew ParentMrs. Dilber—Jessica DrifeThief One—Laura SillanpaaThief Two—Gwen UlreyThe EndBoy—Josiah Masey

5

Carolers: LHWL Chamber SingersChandler Davenport, Jacob Davenport, Jessica Drife, Janine Erickson,P.J. Gusé, Natalie Freeman, Michelle Greening, Christa Kasprowicz,

Angela Morrison, Matthew Parent, Peter Sillanpaa, Eric Smith,Helene Woyczesczyk, Jane Ulrey, and Vincent Voetberg

Directed by Dr. John Boonenberg

Production StaffArtistic Director……………………………………..Kate Heckner UlreyAssistant Director……………………...................................David KuschAssistant Director/Choreographer………………………..Jeaneen WyleyTechnical Director………………………………….Stephen BornhiemerSet Construction……...................................Dick and Catherine BradburyStage Manager………………………………………………..Annie KishStage Crew…………………………..Conner Even and David WhittakerStudent Assistant Directors….Janine Erickson and Helene WoyczesczykProp Manager…………………………………………….Emily BlasiolaSet Design……………………………………….Gwendolyn Hope UlreyStudent Assistant Choreographers………..Jane Ulrey and Annalee KuhrHair & Makeup Crew….…….Sam York, Tim Pollack, Madison Conley,

Julia Yancy, and Mrs. SchmaltzLight/Sound Technicians……………….Jacob Bartos and Abby Severyn

Acknowledgements Thanks for helping with the play: Nathan Abbott, Ernie Babon,

Jacob Bavol, Emma Buffone, Alex Davenport, Thomas Krueger,Alex Lohn, Sabrina Morrison, Alex Reardon, Sadie Schultz,Cleveland Tarp, Parishima Thakkar, Natalie Wheeling, AlecWixson, and Linda Zhang.

Thanks to the parents of our cast members for their support,volunteer labor, and tasty dinners.

6

Thoughts from the Director

When I was about ten years old, I read AChristmas Carol for the first time. Thebeauty of the words and the power of themessage stayed with me. Mankind wasmy business. I think I began adaptingand staging my own version of it then.What I never anticipated was this groupof students, this group of singers or thisgroup of colleagues coming together toput it on. God is good! My special thanks goes to Mr. SteveBornheimer, Mr. David Kusch, Dr. John Boonenberg and Mrs.Jeaneen Wyly for all their help. To the actors and singers: thankyou for taking something that means so much to me and makingit so important to you. What a fantastic group you are!

Summary of the Play

Charles Dickens wrote A ChristmasCarol in 1843. It is the story ofEbenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man,who has money, but cares little abouthis fellow human beings. Visited bythe ghost of his former partner, JacobMarley, he is given a chance atredemption. Three ghosts appear toScrooge and show him scenes fromhis past, the present and the future.The experience profoundly affects theold man and he learns that mankindis, indeed, his business.

7

Cast ProfilesEthan Becker (Party Guest #2) is afreshman who comes to LHWL via KinsleyJunior/Senior High School in Kinsley,Kansas. In junior high Ethan appeared inproductions of "Friday Night Fever" and"Murder at Coppersmith Inn." He has beenin choir for three years. One thing Ethanenjoys about being in a play is getting towear a costume that includes a hat.

Emily Blasiola (Shopper #2) is a juniorwho has participated in drama in middleschool, at church, and at LHWL. She waslast seen on our stage as the pumpkin in"Cinderella." She is very active atCornerstone City Church as a preschoolteacher and a member of the puppet team.Emily believes it is a good thing to knowwhere the "fine lines" of life are; that wayyou don't cross them!

Kayla Boye (Dancer) is a sophomore from Canton Charter Academy,participating in her first play. Her activities include cheerleading, track, ConcertChoir, and dance. Her favorite Christmas memory was when her parents surprisedher family with a trip to Disney World when she was in eighth grade.

Sarah Braden (Fan/Shopper #3) is a junior appearing in her fourth LHWLproduction. She played Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream." She came toLHWL with a lot of Bulldog pride from Emmanuel, Dearborn. "I love going to themidnight church service on Christmas Eve. It's so beautiful. At the end, we lightlittle candles and turn off the lights to sing 'Silent Night' in German and English."

Carrie Caruthers (Ghost of Christmas Future) is a sophomore who has been inplays at LHWL and the Dearborn Heights Civic Theatre. She has also dancedballet at Redford Dance for many years. She is a graduate of Guardian LutheranSchool.

8

Cast ProfilesAllison Crawford (Belinda/Fiddler) is a freshman from Guardian LutheranSchool. In eighth grade she played the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizardof Oz." Her other interests include cross country, dance, and the Dearborn YouthSymphony. Her favorite Christmas memory is performing in Noel Night in Detroitwith her pointe dance group.

Chandler Davenport (Caroler) is an activesenior participating in volleyball, basketball,softball, Alive, Student Council and choir.One of her favorite things about Christmasis the ability to see all of her family.

Jacob Davenport (Caroler) is a sophomorewho is active in football, basketball, andtrack as well as choir. His favorite thingabout Christmas is the FOOD!

Jessica Drife (Mrs.Dilber/Caroler) is asenior with a lengthy drama resumeincluding performances at LHWL, Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran School, Livonia YouthTheater and Northville's Marquis Theater.She had the title role in last year's production of "Cinderella" and is one of our firstThespians. She also participates in soccer, cross country, and choir. She lovesChristmas music of all kinds including traditional and contemporary.

Janine Erickson (Marley's ghost) is a senior and one of our first Thespians.

Connor Even (Dick Wilkins) is sophomore who participates in football, soccer,wrestling, and track. He came to LHWL from St. Matthew, Westland. His favoritething about Christmas is family.

Natalie Freeman (Caroler) is a junior who also participates in volleyball, track,Alive, and choir. A graduate of Guardian in Dearborn, her favorite thing about theholidays is snowmobiling. Nala would be her dream role “simply because I lovethe Lion King.”

9

Cast ProfilesNick Fox Garber (Party Guest #5) is a sophomore from St. Matthew, Westlandwho was a chorus member appearing as Sam and a mouse in last year’s productionof Cinderella. He also enjoys choir, football, and baseball. His favorite Christmasmemory is waking up early on Christmas morning.

Michelle Greening (Caroler) is a sophomore who also participates in choir, crosscountry, soccer, Student Council and Alive. She is a graduate of St. Michael,Wayne. Her favorite things about Christmas are going to get the Christmas tree inthe snow, listening to Christmas music, and decorating the tree with the family.

Emilia Gruenhagen (Cratchit child) is a thirdgrader at St. Michael, Wayne. She enjoyshighland dancing and cross country. Her favoritething about Christmas is decorating the Christmastree.

P.J. Gusé (Caroler) is a junior who participatesin choir, football, basketball, and baseball. He is agraduate of St. Matthew, Westland.

Alana Hill (Mourner #4) is a junior who hasparticipated in dramatic productions going back tofourth grade. She has also participated in choir,cross country, soccer, and cheerleading. One ofher favorite Christmas memories was when threeof her cousins had a wrestling match with two ofher uncles in her grandparent’s crowded livingroom, while nearly 25 family members watched.

Brad Hura (Crowd Scene) is a junior appearing in his first play. He also enjoysfootball, wrestling and baseball. He came to LHWL from Divine Child.

Natalie Husby (Tiny Tim) is a seventh grader at Guardian Lutheran School inDearborn. She has participated in many plays and also enjoys dance, swimming,volleyball, singing, and playing the violin. Her favorite Christmas memory wasspending Christmas in Hawaii with her cousins. She loves pickles, popcorn, andsprinkles.

10

Cast ProfilesZoe Januszkowski(Party Guest #1) is a sophomore performing in her first play.She also enjoys softball, choir, and cheerleading. She came to LHWL fromGuardian, Dearborn. Her favorite thing about Christmas is watching “A ChristmasStory” with her family every Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

Christa Kasprowicz (Caroler) is a senior who participates in soccer and Alivealong with choir. She is a graduate of Guardian, Dearborn. Her favorite thingabout the Christmas season is when she and her sister put beverages and nuts outfor Santa.

Chelsea Kovacs (Party Guest #4) is asophomore in her third LHWL production.Along with drama she has participated incross country, cheerleading, track, and band.A graduate of St. Matthew in Westland, herfavorite Christmas memory was when therewas a big stack of presents for her, and theonly things that were not wrapped were akeyboard and a bunch of art supplies.

Brandon Michael Kruger (Bob Cratchit)is a freshman from St. Paul, Ann Arbor. Heplayed Odysseus in the spring 2012production of “The Adventures ofOdysseus.” Along with drama, he hasparticipated in cross country. His favoritething about Christmas is being able todecorate the giant tree, spend time with hisbeloved family, listening to the holidaymusic, and celebrate the holy birth of Christour Savior.

Annalee Kuhr (Martha Cratchit) is a junior who has performed in severaldramatic productions outside of LHWL with the Backyard Shakespearean Playersand at Henry Ford Community College. She also enjoys dance, cross country, andsoccer. A graduate of Bryant Middle School, she enjoys the Christmas seasonspending time with family and friends and eating good food!

11

Cast ProfilesJonah Lambert (Crowd Scene) is a junior from St. Matthew, Westland. Heparticipates in football, wrestling, and track. His favorite thing about Christmas isall the happy people on Christmas Day!

Abby Marzinski (Dancer) is a sophomore who participates in cheerleading andtrack and takes dance and tumbling classes. She came to LHWL from PioneerMiddle School. Her favorite thing about Christmas is getting to see everyone inher family and spending time with them.

Emmett Matasovsky (Cratchit child) is aseventh grader at St. Michael, Wayne. Alongwith being in school plays, Emmet is active insoccer, basketball, track, band, and plays footballfor the Belleville Cougars. His favorite part ofChristmas is making Christmas cookies as afamily because they have family bonding timeand get to eat lots of cookies.

Jillian Matasovsky (Dancer) is a freshman whocomes to LHWL from St. Michael, Wayne. Sheparticipates in choir and band along with ballet.She will be performing in “The Nutcracker” withthe Plymouth Canton Ballet Company. In gradeschool she was very active in school musicals.Her favorite Christmas memory was singing a solo on Christmas Eve when shewas in sixth grade.

Mitchell Meyer (Young Scrooge) is a sophomore who was last seen on theLHWL stage playing Lysander in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Along withdrama he also participates in soccer, basketball, baseball, and choir. He is agraduate of Guardian, Dearborn. What he loves about Christmas is the friendlinessand charitableness that abounds during the Christmas season.

Angela Morrison (Mrs. Cratchit) is a senior in her fourth LHWL production. Shealso has enjoyed cross country, basketball, soccer and choir. Her favorite thingabout the Christmas season is waking up to a fresh blanket of snow with no sign offootprints or anything in it. “Fresh fallen snow is the prettiest thing ever.”

12

Cast ProfilesShala Murray (Mourner #3) is a freshman who has participated in drama at St.Paul Lutheran School in Livonia, Marygrove College and the Motor City YouthTheatre. She also enjoys basketball, track, dance and piano. Her favorite thingabout Christmas is the awesome Christmas music, and, of course, the beautiful treethat her family decorates yearly.

Kole Niemi (Crowd Scene) is a junior who participates in football, wrestling,track, and Alive. He is a graduate of St. Matthew, Westland. His favorite thingabout the Christmas season is the snow. Kole is most known for his curly, lusciouslocks.

Caitlin O’Banion (Cratchit child) is an eighth grader at St. Paul, Ann Arbor. Sheenjoys volleyball, basketball, cheerleading, track, band and choir. Her favoriteChristmas memory is sledding with her cousins when she was eight.

Ian O’Banion (Peter Cratchit) is a sophomore who participates in cross country,track, band, and school and church choir. He came to LHWL from St. Paul, AnnArbor. His favorite Christmas memory is of the first time that he went, made itthrough, and enjoyed all the Christmas services at his church.

Grace Elizabeth Parent (Want) is a second grader at Guardian, Dearborn whereshe was a munchkin in "The Wizard of Oz." Her favorite thing about theChristmas season is playing in the snow with her brother Matthew.

Matthew Parent (Old Joe) is a sophomore performing in his second LHWLproduction having been in "Cinderella" last year. He also enjoys soccer, crosscountry, choir, wrestling and track. He is a graduate of Guardian, Dearborn.

Noelle Pierce (Shopper #1) is a sophomore who enjoys many activities includingGirl Scouts, church choir , community band, choir, band, Alive, basketball, andsoccer. Last year she performed in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and"Cinderella." She loves the atmosphere of Christmas with all the decorations,carols, and high spirits--amazing!

13

Cast ProfilesChristine Sankey (Party Guest #3) is a sophomore who has participated indramatic productions at church and LHWL. Her activities include cheerleading,school and church choir, piano, and a nursery and VBS volunteer at church. "Ilove the mood of the Christmas season--of love, generosity, and togetherness thatcelebrating Jesus' birth brings. And the hot cocoa, of course!"

Kaylyn M. Sankey (Cratchit Child) is a kindergartener in homeschool. Sheperforms shows in the family living room with various costumes, music, anddance. Tickets are sold out nightly! She attends Homeschool Academy atCrosspointe Church and she is a Daisy in the missionette program at NorthvilleChristian Church.

Katie Schmaltz (Mrs. Fezziwig andMourner #2) is a sophomore performing inher second LHWL production having beenin the chorus of "Cinderella." Sheparticipates in band, cheerleading, choir,and track. "My favorite part aboutChristmas is the music: I love the caroling,church services, and visiting family."

Laura Sillanpaa (Thief #1) is a freshmanwho participated in several plays atGuardian, Dearborn including "Peter Pan"and "The Wizard of Oz." At LHWL shehas participated in cross country andstudent council. Last year she wrote a rapabout Christmas, created a video, anduploaded it to YouTube on Christmas Eve."It was cool."

Peter Sillanpaa (Ebenezer Scrooge) is asenior who has participated in many LHWL productions including "Cinderella,""A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Fools," and "You're a Good Man CharlieBrown." He also participates in cross country, track, and choir. He is one ofLHWL's first Thespians. "My favorite Christmas memory is waking up at 5 a.m.and sitting on the couch in a blanket looking at the Christmas tree."

14

Cast ProfilesEric Smith (Fred) is a senior who was last seen on the LHWL stage as the Princein “Cinderella.” He is one of our first Thespians. His other activities are crosscountry, track, the Dearborn Youth Symphony and the Guardian Bell Choir. Hisfavorite Christmas memory is when he got a new Bible when he was eight yearsold.

Katie Smith (Charity Worker #2) is a junior performing in her fourth LHWLproduction. She has taken dance classes at the Dance Connection for thirteenyears. “My favorite Christmas memory is when I woke up at 3 a.m. and ran intomy brother’s room wanting to open presents. My brother sent me back to myroom and said not to come back until it was at least 6 a.m. I was so excited,though, that I couldn’t fall back asleep and had to watch the news on mute, so noone would wake up, for three hours straight.”

Lauren A. Tischler (Charity Worker #1) is a freshman coming to LHWL fromSt. Paul, Northville. She has been a regular performer at the Marquis Theater overthe last few years in productions like “Auntie Mame” and “Steel Magnolias.” Shealso enjoys piano, violin, dance, and volleyball. Her favorite thing about theChristmas season is going to her uncle’s house and watching “A Christmas Story”100 times and singing Christmas songs.

Gwendolyn Hope Ulrey (Thief #2) is a sophomore who has performed in manydramatic productions at LHWL, Henry Ford Community College, PhoenixCompany, and elsewhere. She used her artistic talents to design the set for thisproduction. Her other activities include cross country and track. She is one of ourfirst Thespians.

Jane Ulrey (Isabel, Fred's Wife) is a junior who enjoys drama, cheerleading, anddance. She uses her dance experience to help choreograph dances for LHWLproductions. She is also one of our first Thespians. Her theater resume includesLHWL productions, the Backyard Shakespearean Players, and others. One of herfavorite times at Christmas is “on Christmas Eve sitting around the fire with mysisters waiting for Santa! (Cheesy, but true!)”

15

Cast ProfilesAllison Uzarek (Mourner #1) is a freshman coming to LHWL from St. Matthew,Westland where she performed in school plays and sings in the adult church choir.“My favorite thing about Christmas is the cheerful spirits and seeing all of thesnow on the ground.”

Katie Wentzel (Cratchit Child) is an eighth grader at St. Paul Lutheran School.She has performed in “The Hobbit,” “Robin Hood,” and “A Connecticut Yankeein King Arthur’s Court.” Along with drama, she enjoys cheerleading and playingthe piano and flute. Her favorite Christmas memoryis when the cat knocked over the Christmas tree.

Andrew Wiggins (Ignorance) is a first grader atConcordia, Farmington Hills. This is his firstdramatic performance though he does sing in theKids’ Choir at church. His favorite thing aboutChristmas is the presents – definitely!

Rachel Wiggins (Belle) is a sophomore who hasperformed in productions at LHWL, in grade school,and at the Livonia Youth Theater. She is a graduateof Concordia, Redford. Her other activities includechoir, cross country, track, and youth choir at church.“My favorite parts of the Christmas season are the music and the decorations! Ialso love remembering the amazing thing Christ has done for us in coming to earthas a baby.”

Helene' Woyczesczyk (Ghost of Christmas Past) is a senior with a long list ofperformances credits at LHWL including being Puck in “A Midsummer Night’sDream” and Mishkin in “Fools.” She is the president of our new Thespian Troupe#4248. She enjoys choir and helping out at the Dearborn Animal Shelter. Hefavorite Christmas memory was when Santa responded to her letter.

Mackenzie York (Dancer) is a sophomore who participates in volleyball,cheerleading, and choir. She is a graduate of Guardian, Dearborn. “My absolutefavorite Christmas thing is when we play games with each other. Just the feelingof my whole family coming together makes me feel really happy inside.

16

Join us for the otherproductions of the 2012-2013 Season

WINTER PLAY

March 8 & 9, 2013

William

Shakespeare’s

Romeo and Juliet

SPRING PLAY

May 17 & 18, 2013

Robert Fulghum’s

All I Need

to Know

I Learned in

KindergartenLHWL Thespian Troupe #4248

17

This year we reinstated our charter as aThespian Troupe with

The International Thespian Society.The Troupe was first chartered in 1987.

Our 2012-2013 Thespian OfficersHelene Woyczesczyk, President

Jessica Drife, Vice-PresidentJanine Erickson, SecretaryPeter Sillanpaa, Treasurer

Eric Smith, ScribeGwen Ulrey, PublicityJane Ulrey, Activities

Mr. David Kusch, Troupe Director