Scrooge (Zeke McHan) congratulates Bob Crachitt (Jud Roberts) after giving him a pay raise.

Third graders perform ‘A Christmas Carol’

The good and bad sides of Ebenezer Scrooge were demonstrated on stage by third graders at Barkley Bridge Elementary School as they presented their school’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” in four showings on Dec. 16-17.

The classic Charles Dickens story centers around Scrooge, a rich old man who treated his workers and their families like slaves until he was confronted in his dreams by the spirits of Christmases Past, Present and Future.

As his bookkeeper, Bob Cratchitt caught the brunt of Scooge’s criticism and ill behavior. No matter what he did, he was unable to please his boss and was rebuffed every time he begged for a raise to pay for an operation for his crippled son, Tiny Tim.

Scrooge reluctantly agreed to a change of heart if the spirits would leave him alone, and before he realized what was happening he was caught up in the Christmas spirit, He not only ordered the biggest turkey in town for a Christmas feast at the Cratchitt home but agreed to foot the bill for Tiny Tim’s operation.

Zeke McHan didn’t miss a line while playing the difficult role of Scrooge and Jud Roberts had the audience pulling for him in the role of Bob Cratchett.

Other actors are listed as follows:

Braden Galloway, as Marley; Christopher Woods as Spirit of Christmas Past; Lily Sparkman as Spirit of Christmas Present; Keira Halbrooks as Spirit of Christmas Future; Aedyn Gwathney as Scrooge as a Boy; Grant Bosworth as Dick; Maisie Waynick as Ms. Cratchitt; Lauren Welch as Martha Cratchitt; Kyle Encardes as Peter Cratchitt; Brayden Lauber and Matthew Tucker as Younger Cratchitts; Harrison Sparks as Tiny Tim: Harrison Hope as Fred; Chloe Peebles as Fred’s wife; Russell Murphy as Mr Fezziweg; Emma Buclley as Mrs. Fezziweg; Brandon Crawley, Jon Robinson, Brantsen Smith and Kameron White as Workers;

Davis Routh as Boy with Butcher; Zach Chaney as Bucher; Kaley Olive, Gracie Jones, Brantley Drake, Aubry Holcombe, Hannah Nelson., Callie Parker, Bella Wiggins and Olivia Blankenship as carolers; Brenden Maynard, backstage helper; Drew Cline and Will Livingston as curtain workers.

The play was presented four times in order for all students and all parents to have the opportunity to attend a showing. Dress rehearsals were held at 12:30 and 1:15 p.m., on Mon., Dec. 16, and shows were presented at 8 and 9 a.m. on Tues., Dec. 17.

Music teacher Sherri Rahm led third graders not on stage in the singing of popular Christmas carols between sets in the play.

Play directors were third grade teachers Wendy Goss, Beverly Spurlin and John Mark Waynick.