'A Heidelberg Christmas Carol' coming Dec. 3

The School of Music & Theatre will reimagine the Charles Dickens’ classic for its annual holiday concert, A Heidelberg Christmas Carol, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at the Ritz Theatre for the Performing Arts.

A Heidelberg Christmas Carol is a celebration of holiday stories both new and old, featuring the sights, sounds and songs of the season by School of Music & Theatre ensembles, large and small. Featured ensembles include the Concert Choir, the Chamber Singers, the University-Community Chorus, the Marching Band, the Symphonic Band, the Singing Collegians and a children’s choir from the Heidelberg Community Music School.

The first act of A Heidelberg Christmas Carol is a retelling of A Christmas Carol with musical interludes featuring Scrooge (portrayed by Sean Joyce), Tiny Tim and other beloved Dickens characters.

“You never know what Heidelberg students and faculty members will appear under the guise of Christmas past, present and future,” Dr. Carol Dusdieker said.

For the second half of the concert, Heidelberg returns to the inspirational Christmas classic, Handel’s Messiah for the 127th year. Various Messiah arias and choruses will be performed, including the stirring Hallelujah Chorus. The ensembles will be joined by professional soloists Benjamin Bunsold (tenor) of Columbus, Alta Dantzler (mezzo) of Rochester Hills, Mich., and Kate Pomrenke (soprano) of Bowling Green.

The audience will be invited to join the entire School of Music & Theatre and Community Music School cast for God Bless Us Everyone in a joyful finale to the concert.

Tickets for “A Heidelberg Christmas Carol” are available at the Ritz Theatre. General admission tickets are $15, seniors and Heidelberg faculty and staff are $10 and youth tickets (under 12) are $5. Student rush tickets are available 30 minutes prior to the concert at the Ritz Box Office. Visit ritztheatre.org to purchase tickets online or call the box office at (419) 448-8544.