Video: Maloney Presents "A Christmas Carol"

More than 50 Meriden students will present the musical version of "A Christmas Story" this weekend at Maloney High School. 

We caught up with some of the cast and the director on opening night Thursday, as they were scrambling to finish sound checks and get in costume for the show.

It was a race to get the play – the school's first Christmas musical in recent memory – ready on time, according to Director David Pelletier, who is the Choral Director at Maloney High. The cast and crew were waylaid for more than a week from working after power outages in November closed the school, and then the performance space was occupied by a rescheduled Kiwanis Kapers show.

"It’s kind of a crunch, and a little bit too close for my comfort... We finally finished the final touches of paint this morning in class, so I think we’re all set to go," Pelletier said.

The story is based on the classic tale by Charles Dickens, in which a miserly old man is visited by three ghosts who show him the folly of his ways, but adapted as a musical. This version was first played at Madison Square Garden in 1994 and turned into a 2004 Hallmark Movie featuring Kelsey Grammer as Ebenezer Scrooge.

In addition to the familiar story and the songs in the production, cast members said they believe audiences will delight in the elaborate scenery and special effects. The set itself opens and closes to form different scenes, and dry ice, glitter, "snow," blacklights and chains for the ghosts to rattle all add to the magical atmosphere of the show.

Click above to hear more about the play, the actors, and get a little slice of some of the characters in the show.

A Christmas Carol will be shown at Maloney High School, 121 Gravel St., Meriden. Remaining shows are Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for all shows, with a $5 child's ticket available for the matinee, and can be bought in advance at , or .