Ringing in the season with a Christmas Classic

Everyone in the Little Theater is polishing their old English accents for their Children’s Theater debut of a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

The special preview will be in the PAC Center at 11am and Theater Instructor and Director, Linda Amayo-Hassan is expecting a crowd of 600-700 kids from other schools. The official schedule is December 10, 11 and 12 at 8pm. There is also a matinee at 2pm on the Saturday of the 12. Tickets are 10 dollars at the door.

For the last 5 years, the children’s theater production has been La Posada so this year Amayo-Hassan has decided to do something a little different for this winter. Amayo-Hassan adapted the novel to a script with a few minor changes. While Amayo-Hassan wanted to contemporize some things in the novel, the story was too big and she felt like she needed to be true to Dickens.

“I’ve always loved a Christmas Carol,” said Amayo-Hassan. “In the last year alone, people have experienced so much loss so the message is still important.”

This cast offers 4 Irene Ryan nominees, Joiandrea Robinson, Adam Reeser and two recently added are Janelle Aguirre and Daniel Banatao. Irene Ryan nominees go to a competition called ACTF once a year, held in Reno. Aguirre was nominated for her role as the lead’s ex-wife, Trisha in Theater 30 Lost With The Lights On, while Banatao was nominated for his supporting role as Julius in Theater 30 Cupid’s Crush. Aguirre plays a Charwoman and Banatao’s wife Mrs. Cratchit.

I’m excited about my nomination, said Banatao, “this is my first year in Chabot Theater and I was surprised when I heard.”

In a Christmas Carol Banatao is Bob Cratchit, an employee of Scrooge’s and the man of a house of seven, that includes his wife, Mrs. Cratchit and the infamous Tiny Tim who is also played by Amayo-Hassan’s son Caleb Amayo-Hassan. Scrooge is played by Chabot Student Actor Sam Chaires who was also his co-star in Theater 30 Cupid’s Crush as Van. Banatao says that their chemistry on stage is natural and Chaires has seen a change in Banatao since Theater 30.

“Cupid’s Crush really allowed him to open up,’ said Chaires. “As for the show, I am excited to be performing again for kids, they see the world as theater so this is a fun challenge.”

Aguirre is no stranger to the Children’s Theater or the Little Theater in general and this is her third time being nominated for the Irene Ryan Award. According to Aguirre the ensemble is large and a lot of people play two roles.

“This is definitely a fun story,” said Aguirre, “a lot of variety, party guests, peasants.”

In addition to Amayo-Hassan’s task of adapting the novel to a script, she also added a character or two and gave Tiny Tim a new line. Amayo-Hassan is looking forward to putting on a Christmas Carol and she is hoping that her cast along with her audience will have fun in this week to come.

“I’m hoping to spread a little holiday cheer,” said Linda.