Blondell Showcases ‘Humbug!’ at Westmont

John Blondell, Westmont professor of theater arts, uses six actors to portray 20 characters in Dickens’ Christmas classic, “Humbug! A (Lit Moon) Christmas Carol,” Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18-19, at 7:30 p.m. in Westmont College’s Porter Theatre. Blondell’s Lit Moon Theatre Company first produced the show in 2007. Tickets are $10 for adults, students and seniors. Children (aged 6 to 12) are free with each adult ticket purchased; additional children’s tickets are $5. Tickets may be purchased at (805) 565-7140 or at westmont.edu/boxoffice.

“’Humbug!’ is one of my favorite Lit Moon shows,” says director Blondell. “As with all our shows, it is stripped close to the bone, and works on an essential simplicity: five terrific actors, a simple space, some wonderful props and objects, beautiful and evocative music, and of course Dickens’ inimitable story about the Christmas Eve transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. The show creates an indelible connection with an audience and fills the stage with its charm and exuberance.”

The five-person cast includes Nina Sallinen, Stanley Hoffman, Victoria Finlayson and Westmont alumnae Marie Ponce-DeLeon ’10, Paige Tautz ’14 and Lauren White ’14 Hall.

James Connolly composed the music and performs live. Olivia Warner designed costumes and Jonathan Hicks, Westmont technical director, is lighting designer.