The evening of November 6, the auditorium of the Historic Corona Civic Center filled with the illuminated promise of classic holiday theatre as Christian Arts & Theatre (CAT) presented Scrooge! The Musical. From the moment the curtain rose, the production embraced the familiar tale of redemption from Charles Dickens with heartfelt clarity and community spirit.

Scrooge The Musical was directed by two directors, Cyndi Monroe, the main director and founder of CAT, and Jeanetta Bell. CAT started over 20 years ago as an after-school activity for the children of Corona. As a faith-based non-profit organization, CAT provides a creative and educational environment for young actors to express themselves. Scrooge the musical has been performed by CAT before, and several CAT Alumni who had played in it were there to offer their support and relive nostalgic memories of this cherished holiday story.

The set design worked within the constraints of a youth theatre without feeling underpowered. Minimalist set design evoked Victorian London, while clever lighting shifts and fog accents deepened the atmosphere, particularly in the “Marley’s Ghost” scene, which succeeded in establishing a genuine chill. Costumes ranged from convincingly period to creatively interpreted; youthful energy peeked through, but overall, the visual palette felt cohesive and respectful of the source material.

Performance-wise, the cast, made up of younger actors from CAT’s youth program, delivered with enthusiasm and admirable discipline. The actor playing Ebenezer Scrooge, Wesley Maradiaga, brought an earnest arc from curmudgeon to reformed benefactor, convincingly portraying surprise, regret, and joy in turn. The ensemble supported him well: the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, played by Elosie Marais, Josh Wooten, and Liam Thomas. Each had a distinct presence, and the supporting characters (Bob Cratchit played by Carter Johnson, Mrs. Cratchit, played by Cailyn Thomas, Harry, played by Dunamis Cho, Tiny Tim Played by Isaac Santillan, and Tom Jenkins played by Zente Szilagyi. ) imbued their moments with warmth. Musical numbers such as “I Like Life” and “Father Christmas” were rendered with clear diction, good energy, and more polish than one might expect from a community youth-theatre run.

The production's strongest asset was its community and family-friendly connection. The Historic Corona Civic Center is a familiar space for local arts, and this run reinforced the notion that theatre can be both accessible and meaningful. Audience reactions: applause, laughter, applause again, felt genuine, not perfunctory. The family-friendly message of generosity and redemption landed effectively, with parents and kids both present and visibly engaged.

In its final moments —the transformation of Scrooge, the joyous celebration, the ensemble’s reprise —the show achieved what it set out to do: uplift. For a local youth theatre company, this was more than a production; it was a communal event, a holiday gathering, a bridge between art and community values. It affirmed Christian Arts & Theatre’s role not just as a youth-arts provider, but as a participant in regional cultural life of the City of Corona.