Menlo News November 05, 2025

Students Pour Their Hearts Into HUMBUG!

In HUMBUG! A Menlo Carol, students put a distinctly Menlo twist on Dickens’s timeless classic.

Behind the scenes of Menlo Drama’s production of Humbug! A Menlo Carol.

From the minute you take your seat on stage and catch a glimpse of the bells, dishes, tap shoes, and pizza boxes waiting for their cues as live sound effects, you know this isn’t going to be a typical rendition of A Christmas Carol.

HUMBUG! reimagines Dickens’ timeless classic with music, humor, and a Menlo twist. “It’s a joyful reminder of the power of second chances,” says director and drama teacher Mark Schneider.

Menlo’s adaptation began as a conversation between Schneider and his students, starting with Dickens’ novel and following their instincts toward something that felt true to this ensemble, this moment. When asked why he chose this as his first Menlo production, Schneider shared, “Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol because he believed a good story could change people’s hearts. He saw the darkness around him—inequality, indifference—and used fiction to push back against it. That impulse feels just as urgent now.”

The story follows Scrooge, the miser who cares for nothing but wealth—until three ghosts visit on Christmas Eve. Each spirit reveals the consequences of choices made and the possibility of redemption. With festive songs, witty dialogue, and heartwarming moments, HUMBUG! reminds us all of the joy that comes from compassion, generosity, and community.

“This is my first time taking an original script and making it our own special story,” says Naina ’28, who plays Ghost of Christmas Past. “But I already love it. Every actor is hands-on and putting in fun ideas, whether it’s from improv games or teenage slang.” Adds Eilir ’27, “Our director lets us adapt lines—whether cutting, rephrasing, or adding—to fit our perception of the characters.” Meanwhile, the Foley team has curated the materials and instruments to make Scrooge’s world come to life in real time. “Through live sound effects, we are able to give the audience a sensory experience that immerses them more deeply in the story,” says Claire ’26.

HUMBUG! A Menlo Carol helps kick off your holiday season with a night of laughter, song, magic, and a reminder: it’s never too late to open your heart. For Connor ’29, who plays Crachit, the show is about more than just holiday cheer. “It’s like a cup of cocoa by a rainy window; a way to look at the world with a little warmth inside.”

Show dates and times:

HUMBUG! A Menlo Carol is coming to the Spieker Performing Arts Center stage November 13-16.