mcc foundation voices of the river 6th annual christmas gala program

MCC FOUNDATION BULLHEAD CITY CHAPTER

VOICES OF THE RIVER

Program

VOICES ON THE RIVER “A FRACTURED CHRISTMAS CAROL” 2015 PAGE 3

Title/Accompanist/Solos Composer/Arranger

Fum Fum Fantasy Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist

Traditional Catalonian Carol, Arr. by Audrey Snyder

Amid the Falling Snow Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist; Patty Emond-soloist

Enya, Nicky Ryan & Roma Ryan, Arr. by Audrey Snyder

Lo! In the Cold of Winter Deep Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist

J. A. Lloyd, Arr. by Gordon Thornett

Still, Still, Still Dean Leuthauser-soloist

Traditional Austrian Carol, Arr. by Matthew Culloton

Scrooge:What is Christmas? Noni Robnett-accompanist

Paul O’Neill & Jon Oliva

Sussex Carol Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist

Traditional English Carol, Arr. by Daniel Powers

Silver Bells Jay Livingston & Ray Evans, Arr. by Mac Huff

The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist; Dawn Turner, Donna Rose & Lizel Jackson-soloists

W. Clifford Petty

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist

Traditional, Arr. by Philip Kern

Urchins Duet: All I Want Is . . .Nuttin'! Arr. by Sally K. Albrecht Wayfaring Stranger Noni Robnett-accompanist

Traditional, Arr. by Gwyneth Walker

Carol of the Bells M. Leontovich, Arr. by Peter J. Wilhousky

Star of the Morning Noni Robnett-accompanist

Traditional Gaelic Melody, Arr. by Jay Rouse

Follow that Star Brian Lewis I’ll Be Home for Christmas Noni Robnett-accompanist

Kim Gannon & Walter Kent, Arr. by Mark Hayes

INTERMISSION On My Own Noni Robnett-accompanist; Pamela Roberts-soloist

Claude-Michel Schönberg, Arr. by Ed Lojeski

Hey! Ho! Nobody Home! Judith Barber-Sanick-accompanist

Traditional English Folk Song, Arr. by Russell Robinson

Here We Come A-Wassailing Noni Robnett-accompanist

Traditional English Carol, Arr. by Ryan O’Connell

Star in the East Cathy Cornell & Linda Harshbarger-handbells; Sonja Fritz & Patty Emond-soloists

The Southern Harmony, 1854, Arr. by William Allen Pasch

Scrooge: Artaban’s Lament Noni Robnett-accompanist

Stephen DeCesare

Christmas Classic Celebration Noni Robnett-accompanist

Arr. by Patrick M. Liebergen

VOICES OF THE RIVER

Cast of CharactersNARRATOR / JASON GEEIn the spirit of Charles Dickens, the narrator is intended to help move the story along and provide insights into the characters that a person would not typically be able to provide about her/himself. The narrator is meant to have a rather serious, straightforward demeanor with an occasional opportunity for a witty response.

SCROOGE / SHAWN BRISTLEThe star of the novella and the wayfaring stranger of our story this evening. Though the audience may not hear a single “Bah! Humbug!” spoken from Mr. Scrooge, he will share his artistic singing talents in two numbers this evening—‘twill be a rarity and a pleasure. Compare the differences in his demeanor in the two pieces and decide for yourself….Has Ebenezer Scrooge really reformed? Has he found redemption? Will it be a Merry Christmas after all?

FRED, SCROOGE’S NEPHEW / JOHN SMITH One of the great unsung supporting actors of the novella, Fred refuses to forget the more loving, more parental Scrooge from his youth and persists in the belief that Uncle Ebenezer can find his way back into the light.

BOB CRATCHIT / JASON GEEThe ever-faithful right hand man, suffering through all of the self-loathing that Mr. Scrooge can dish upon himself. Cratchit believes that it will take a miracle to pull Scrooge from his golden hoard. Despite this, he remains grateful to Mr. Scrooge for his position and that it provides enough for his family…though just barely.

GENTLEMAN 1 / ARDIE LAUXMAN A do-gooder out trying to help those in need during the holiday season.

GENTLEMAN 2 / SHAWN BRISTLE Another fine fellow working to make Christmas a little bit better by collecting donations.

URCHIN 1 / AUDREY GEEThe older sibling of Urchin 2 who encounters Mr. Scrooge in the street as he travels from his office to his home on that cold Christmas Eve. Much like many children in literary history, probably expressing a vocabulary far exceeding that of a typical orphaned street urchin, but often offering valuable insights.

URCHIN 2 / BRONTE GEEThe younger of the urchins and the actual sibling of urchin 1. A bit more raw and less refined, but expressing wisdom beyond years.

PAGE 4 MCC FOUNDATION BULLHEAD CITY CHAPTER

VOICES OF THE RIVER

Cast of CharactersJACOB MARLEY’S GHOST / JOHN SMITHThe too-late repentant business partner of Scrooge and the first to visit the miser in his bedchamber. The apparition is the image of the corruption within Scrooge’s soul. Marley expresses his regret, but the regret is all for naught because these things must be regarded in this life to have effect in the life hereafter. Marley’s love for Scrooge has brought him to his side in the hope of preventing Scrooge from suffering the same fate.

BELLE / AMBER JOHNSONThe first love of Scrooge’s life before he had become overcome with the acquisition of wealth. Belle desires to change dear Ebenezer from his current path, but recognizing her failure, knows that she cannot follow this path. All of her misery can be felt in that classic song “On My Own” from the musical Les Miserables, the adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel of the same name. Ironically, Dickens and Hugo had met in real life, and it was rumored that Dickens even fancied Hugo’s daughter. But, like our characters here, their love was not meant to be.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST / JEFF WILSONShowing Christmases of the past, the Ghost of Christmas Past reveals to Ebenezer that he did not always feel the contempt that he feels now. Past shows how it was Scrooge who strayed from the love of others, not the reverse. His sister, his mentor Mr. Fezziwig and his dearest Belle haunt him in his wickedness as he comes to know that there were many he loved and many who loved him.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT / JOYCE MCDONALDTrips to the Cratchits and to his nephew Fred and to the poor highlight Scrooge’s time with the Ghost of Christmas Present, a cheerful spirit who shares that Scrooge has the power to change all that he sees. It is with Present that Scrooge learns the fate of young Tim Cratchit and longs to linger with his nephew, but to no avail. We are reminded, however, that generosity, even in small quantities can make big differences in people’s lives.

GHOST OF CHRISTMAS YET TO COME / NANCY SIEMSENMuch like our modern images of the Grim Reaper or Charon the Ferryman of Hades, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come reveals the future horror that Scrooge must suffer if he does not change. In the climaxing darkness, he reveals Scrooge’s own tombstone and propels Scrooge into the darkness from which he awakens. Luckily, a bit of surprise awaits the audience with Yet to Come, for we can’t have such darkness during a time of celebration.


The Redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge, retitled A Fractured Christmas Carol was conceived and written for the Voices of the River Choir by Jason Gee.

VOICES OF THE RIVER

Choir MembersPeggy Boone, Danette Bristle, Brian Burnes, Kelly Buth,

Vanessa Contreras, Cathy Cornell, Pamela DeAtley, Sue DeMarco, Patty Emond, Linda Eriquez, Mary Evans, Sonja Fritz, Linda Harshbarger, Frank Hart, Lizel Jackson, Laurie Jones, Robert Jones, Steve Kanelos, Ardie Lauxman,

Dean Leuthauser, Samantha McCormack, Linda Miller, Melanie Morash, Don Nistendirk, Stan Peterson, Frank Raia, Noelle Regan, Jaynee Rhodes, Pamela Roberts, Noni Robnett, Donna Rose, Judith Barber-Sanick, Mary Schramm, John Smith,

Melinda Sobraske, Cindy Stern, Julie Stickel, Eydie Treutler, Dawn Turner, Bob Watts, Barbara Zarzycki

Gala Show Committee/Choir Board of DirectorsBarbara Zarzycki, Chair & Voices of the River TreasurerPeggy Boone, PublicistNikki Reagan, Graphic Artist/ProgramLouise Zaborsky, TicketsJudi Reed, VIP ReceptionPat Peoples, Committee SecretaryShawn Bristle, Voices of the River DirectorMary Schramm, Voices of the River PresidentFrank Hart, Voices of the River Vice PresidentLaurie Jones, Voices of the River Secretary

Bullhead City Chapter Board Officers Mohave County College FoundationPaul Stubler, PresidentArdie Lauxman, Vice PresidentAllyson Fair, SecretaryLouise Zaborsky, Treasurer

PAGE 6 MCC FOUNDATION BULLHEAD CITY CHAPTER


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When I sat down to compose The Redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge, my initial thought process was to find a way to combine the telling of the Dickens classic Christmas tale with a combination of simple monologues and musical numbers. Creative Director and Conductor Shawn Bristle and I had several conversations regarding what a Voices of the River rendition of A Christmas Carol could look like.

We both knew that we did not want to have excessive acting, and sets would have to be very limited. I also wanted to be sure that the choir would be the focal point of the production. Ultimately, Shawn allowed me almost complete freedom in the creation process.

Hopefully, what you will see tonight will remind you of that wonderful Christmas story that Dickens wrote so many years ago, that you will be filled with the feeling that humanity can overcome adversity even of its own making, rise up, and overcome the trials and tribulations that are a part of this and come out on the other side with a resolution to do better, to be better.

As the first full draft was nearing completion, I needed input from Shawn to ensure that the musical selections that had been chosen “made sense” to more than just myself and

THE REDEMPTION OF EBENEZER SCROOGEAdapted from Charles Dickens’ “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”

in behalf of Voices of the River Choir BY JASON GEE

to confirm that the numbers were such that the Voices of the River choir members’ talents would be showcased. Two numbers were dropped, one for its over-the-top complexity, and another for creative reasons that we couldn’t resolve. In the end, the deletions had little effect on the overall quality of the production and the draft was, in essence, put to bed.

Much like Scrooge, sometimes we have to get the dickens (pun intended) scared out of us to make changes for the good. Christmas is a time of wonder, merry-making, and even a little bit of magic. May the music and words you hear bring a bit of those to you tonight.


Aquarius Casino Resort is a proud sponsor of

6TH ANNUAL VOICES OF THE RIVER

CHRISTMAS GALA “A FRACTURED CHRISTMAS CAROL”

Benefitting the Mohave Community College Foundation.

1900 S. Casino Drive • Laughlin, NV 89029 • 800.662.LUCK • AquariusCasinoResort.com


A Christmas Carol is as popular today as it was over 150 years ago. Charles Dickens, through the voice of Scrooge, continues to urge us to honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it all the year.

Did You Know...


Dr. Derek P. Price

mcc foundation voices of the river 6th annual christmas gala program

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