Christmas Chaos abounds at Old Fort Players

FORT MADISON -They say the show must go on. Well, the irony abounds.
The holiday production for the Old Fort Players, almost didn't go on with several hurdles hindering the production schedule.
But after last minute-cobbling of cast, and then canceling, the show will go on Dec. 6-8 and 11-13 at the playhouse in downtown Fort Madison.
And the play itself is a theatrical dystopia of sorts with cast members bumbling about lost in the mayhem that would fictionally (and maybe nonfictionally) possibly doom the production.
The Royal Shakespeare Company hasn't arrived as promised to perform their stirring rendition of "A Christmas Carol." So an intrepid band of hapless actors and technicians must put together their own production in only seven hours, according to the production’s playbill.
“What a pity that they are not quite up to the task, even though they give it their all. Have you ever experienced backstage mayhem? Well, you haven't seen anything yet! The play focuses on these poor but dedicated thespians doing their best while chaos is all around them - two kids fighting over who gets to play Tiny Tim; a confused actor who thinks she's in another show; a haughty lead actor; one actor playing both Bob and Mrs. Cratchit; an out-of-control director; thrown together props and costumes; ridiculous scenery, and tons of flubs and confusion.”
Most of the actors in the show play multiple roles in this extremely fast-paced and physical comedy. Even the light and sound board operators are characters in the show! The play is a hilarious backstage comedy that pokes fun at the classic novel and everything that can go wrong with a theatrical production.
Cast members include:
Scrooge/Gregory - Ty Clute
Nan, Fred, Christmas Future - Jennifer Pranger
Pamela, Musician, Young Scrooge, Boy - Richar Abel
Robert, Serious 3, Peter, Businessman 2, Husband - Veronica Pranger
Linda, Serious 1, Marley, Bob & Mrs. Cratchit- Codee James
Donovan, Director - Nolen Carle (Friday - 12/1 only)
Donovan, Director - Crystal Doil
Lyssa, Stage Manager - Jenna Gound
Martha, Writer, Narrator- Cortnee LeMoyne
Brynn, Announcer - Kim Albers
Marina, Tiny Tim 1- Sunshine Zionist
Ryan, Singer, Tiny Tim 2 - Berkeley Carter
Duane, Musician, Bob Cratchit, Fan, Belle - RaCayla Adams
Sara, Serious 2, Christmas Past & Present, Businessman 1- Jordan Gound
Amy Jo, Serious 3, Charity Lady, Mary - Jordan Gound
Johanna, Light Board Operator - Angela Sanford
Megan, Sound Board Operator - Melanie Johnson
And in this chaotic production, the audience can actually vote for their favorite cast member and is befitting the chaos, take points away from cast members.
Canisters will be set up for each cast member and the canister with the most points per donation will win the favorite cast member honor.
Anything 25 cents and over is a corresponding amount of points. Dimes, nickels and pennies reduce the points of the cannister, so sandbagging is allowed.
Shows are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. at the playhouse at 725 Avenue G in Fort Madison. Tickets are available at the playhouse or at https://oldfortplayers.com/