KMS Masquers to Perform ‘A Christmas Carol’

students will perform Director Jim Higgins' adapted version of A Christmas Carol on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets will be $5 for adults, $3 for students and free for children under the age of five.

According to Higgins, the show is entirely a KMS production, with the exception of one elementary school student who will play Tiny Tim. The show is made up of 54 actors and 18 back stage crew who have been rehearsing three times a week since September.

"This is the first time we have ever done our own production without using someone else's script," said Higgins. "The students have put a lot of hours in."

Educators Kathleen Podraza, Bob Evans and Jim Higgins originally organized the KMS Masquers, and the performance this weekend marks 15 years of successful productions. Although Evans is now retired and Podraza has passed the torch to Higgins, they both still aid in the productions by manning the lights for the show and doing makeup for the actors.

Also assisting in the production is educator and play choreographer Michelle Way DaSilva, and David Carney, parent of a former Masquers actress. On the night of the show, however, Higgins will bestow all of his director powers to two students, Bridget O'Hanley and Rachel Cloutier. O'Hanley is the student director and play narrator and has been working with the Masquers for four years (one performance in elementary school) and Cloutier has been the backstage manager for the last two years.

"They are very enthusiastic about it and were hoping it comes off really well," said Higgins. "We are going to have fun."

Correction: Rachel Cloutier is the student director and play narrator and Bridget O'Hanley is the backstage manager for the play.