It’s snow time! The Madeline Graves Performing Arts will be presenting their annual Christmas performance, “Scrooge Jazzed Up Like The Dickens & More” on December 11th. The show will be held at the MK Brown Civic Auditorium at 2:30 pm. “Scrooge Jazzed Up Like The Dickens & More”, created by Madeline Graves, is a modern retelling of the classic Charles Dickens’ 1843 tale, A Christmas Carole. In Graves’ production, Elizabeth Scrooge is paid a visit by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, from which she will learn the true meaning of Christmas. The performance will feature modern music like ABBA’s Money, Money, Money sang by Meryl Streep and Casting Crowns’ I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. The role of Elizabeth Scrooge will be played by Kendyll Roberson, the winner of Miss Dance Masters of America 2023.
Graves, owner and creator Madeline Graves Performing Arts, came up the concept of Scrooge Jazzed Up Like The Dickens & More when her students asked about having a Christmas performance nearly a decade ago.
“We wanted something to do in addition to dancing so I came up with the idea of Scrooge,” Graves said. “We jazzed the story up.”
Graves has worked hard to educate each student under her tutelage. Graves is certified with Dance Masters of America, In honor of her dedication to the organization, the Dance Masters of America honored Graves as their Member of the Year for her 50th year.
“To me, dance is just not dance,” Graves said. “It’s an education. You have to know the terminology, the human anatomy, and how to help students learn all these routines and exercises without harming them.”
Out of all the dance classes that Graves teaches, ballet has a special place in her heart.
“I think ballet is the most disciplined,” Graves said. “ Ballet education filters into everything else. If you have a good ballet foundation, you can do gymnastics, cheer leading, and dance.”
As for “Scrooge Jazzed Up Like The Dickens & More”, Graves and her students are very excited for their upcoming performance.
“We’re ready for it,” Graves said. “It’s a matinée. This first half will be radio city production dances. The second half will be Scrooge.”
Tickets for “Scrooge Jazzed Up Like The Dickens & More” are $10 for adults and children school age and up.
For more information about Madeline Graves Performing Arts, visit their Facebook: Madeline Graves Performing Arts Center or give them a call at (806) 665-8641.
