Cavod to present "The Unplugged Christmas Carol"

When Grace Mae Bell had the idea to "merge a classic story with contemporary issues," she had a few goals in mind. "I wanted to combine the modern-day reality of our tech-driven lives with Dickens' timeless Christmas tale," said Bell, who has always loved "A Christmas Carol." "I wanted to highlight the importance of reconnecting with our loved ones and the true meaning of Christmas through the powerful medium of dance."

Bell's vision will come to life at Cavod Theatre, 641 W. Main St., New Holland, with the presentation of "The Unplugged Christmas Carol" at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6; 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7; and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. The show features Aaliyah Lapp dancing the role of Eva. The Ghost of Christmas Past will be played by Naomi Grace Byers. The Ghost of Christmas Present will be played by Hannah Stoltzfoos, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come will be danced by Isaac Baloche. Meghan Miller will play Carolyn, a character whose role is similar to that of Bob Cratchit in "A Christmas Carol." In the 7 p.m. show on Dec. 7, the lead role of Eva will be danced by understudy Araunah Boll. Tickets may be purchased by looking for "Unplugged Christmas Carol" at https://cavod.org/events. Tickets at the door will be based on availability.

To modernize the story, Bell has placed Eva in a contemporary setting, where she is a corporate leader living her life at the whims of her phone. On Christmas Eve, Eva is invited to church, but chooses to focus on her work. Exhausted, she falls asleep at her desk and dreams of the three Christmas Spirits who guide her on a journey of transformation, where she must face the emptiness of her tech-driven life.

Although Bell has directed a number of productions, this is the first time she will oversee a show she wrote herself. To give dancers of all genres a chance to participate, Bell has incorporated a number of dance styles, including contemporary, ballet, lyrical, and tap. The story is told in dance, with the only dialogue provided by a narrator.

Bell's cast of 46 features mostly teenagers, but ages range from 8 to 20. The two acts of the show include multiple scenes, with 13 dances per act. "One of the biggest challenges was seamlessly integrating the various dance genres while staying true to the story line," said Bell, who added, "Opportunities for growth and creativity have ultimately made the production stronger." She pointed out that two big ensembles involve younger children. One is an emoji number, where dancers pop out of devices as emojis. "The emoji number is fun," said Bell, adding that there are a few dances in the show that offer comedic relief in what is an intense story.

Bell's cast members have been rehearsing on weekends since September. Over the weekend of Nov. 8, 9, and 10, the dancers experienced a breakthrough involving a particularly difficult dance sequence. "One of my favorite moments is when we have a challenging dance number," said Bell, who pointed out that when cast members work together as a supportive team, they are likely to overcome the challenge. "(Those times are) rewarding to the cast and myself and a testament to their hard work and dedication," she said. "That's been fun to see the growth in the students."

Bell hopes audiences will enjoy the combination of the holiday favorite danced in a modern setting and relate it to their own lives. "It's a unique blend ... an experience that goes beyond mere entertainment to offer a meaningful reflection on the importance of connection in today's digital age," stated Bell. "The dynamic dance performance combined with the powerful narrative makes a captivating and heartwarming show that I hope will resonate deeply with today's audiences because it reflects the challenges many people face in our tech-centric world."