Church's staging of 'Scrooge!' continues holiday tradition

Stevens Creek Community Church will kick off its holiday season with Scrooge!, its annual rendition of the Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Story.

"It is just a great story and a classic story," said Todd Sturgell, church program director and show producer. "People watch it every year. It is a Christmas tradition."

Stevens Creek's musical version of the classic holiday tale has a few twists - instead of ghosts, angels arrive to take Scrooge on his eye-opening journey through time. The production was allowed to take on characteristics from the comedic movie version with Bill Murray. The third angel, a ditzy, clumsy angel, gets to knock Scrooge around a little bit during their trip, Sturgell said.

"You will laugh. You will cry. You will get mad at some of the characters, of how people are being treated in some cases," Sturgell said. "It definitely touches all the emotions as we go through the evening."

Scrooge! has become a Christmas tradition around the church. The over 100-member cast, choir and crew has performed the humorous musical six of eight years and it still draws a huge crowd for the annual performances. Being a part of people's Christmas traditions make it all worthwhile, Sturgell said.

"It is a great story for Christmastime. People love it and they come back year after year," Sturgell said. "I have so many people talk about this as their family tradition. This is how they kind of kick off their Christmas season."

This year's performances, three months in rehearsals, will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church at 600 Stevens Creek Road.

Tony Cooper, a church drama director, is taking over the title role. The angels that lead Scrooge through time are being played by Stephen Chaney, Krystal Samuel and Heidi Miller.

Tickets cost $5 for general admission and $10 for best-available reserved seating. They are available at the church, Family Bookstore locations and online at www.stevenscreek.net. All proceeds go to cover the cost of production. Anything over will go to make next year's show better.

"It is a great way for families to come together, have a great evening out and have a positive show they can go see and get them thinking about what Christmas is all about."

For more information, visit the Web site or call the church at (706) 863-7002.