By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
Since Thanksgiving Day is on the latest possible date it can be in November this year, it makes the time between it and Christmas shorter by almost a week. So, now is the time to think about how you will be celebrating your Christmas holidays and schedule all the fun things there are to do.
This year will celebrate the Heisler Theater Company’s ninth annual performances of A Christmas Carol on the mountain. Over the years, they have performed it at many venues, but this year they’ll be back at the Tudor House, where the building itself just evokes feelings of old England and exudes an old Dickens atmosphere. Live theater is a total sensory experience and seeing A Christmas Carol will make the whole season come alive.
“We look forward each year to A Christmas Carol,” said Director Jeff Heisler. “It’s a real step back in time and a remembrance of the true meaning of Christmas. Being able to take a room full of people through that journey each year is the best thing we do.” This traditional Christmas story of the redemption of the soul of Ebenezer Scrooge has been rewritten, performed and parodied for over 100 years in many forms.
The show will be renewed and feel a little different this year, with Mark Lujan Trujillo fulfilling the role of Charles Dickens himself. “Those who know Mark know that they’ll be in for a real treat,” said Heisler.
“We’re no less excited to announce our new Tiny Tim, Trey Ursich. I know the audience will fall in love with him, along with other new characters, including Belle, who is being played by Dakota Perez.” The actors are local; some are professional actors with several taking multiple roles, in front of and behind the curtain.
A Christmas Carol, which was written by Charles Dickens in 1843, has become a Christmas classic tale of redemption during the holidays. Although the story is British in origin, it has become an essential part of American culture during the holiday season.
The story is of Ebenezer Scrooge, who has focused his whole life on making money, which didn’t bring him happiness, so he shares his bitterness with all those around him. On the anniversary of the death of his business partner, Marley, his ghost comes back in an attempt to enlighten Scrooge of the errors of his ways. He sends Scrooge three more spirits, which reveal to him his life in the past, the present and his probable future, if he doesn’t change his ways. After the visits by the spirits, Scrooge becomes aware of the negative impact he’s also inflicted on others, so he reverses his life’s direction and becomes a better and generous and thoughtful person.
The cast this year is Ebenezer Scrooge, Jeff Heisler; Charles Dickens, Mark Lujan Trujillo; Marley/Guest, Businessman/Fezziwig, Armand LeSage; First Spirit, Samm Starr; Second Spirit/Lamb, Dana Merola; Third Spirit/Poole/Party Guest, Gaye Gamble Heisler; Nephew Fred/Costume Designer, Christopher Marin; Young Scrooge/Businessman/Party Goer, Chase Alcorn; Belle, Dakota Perez; Bob Cratchit/Resident Architect/Staging, Alan McNeil; Mrs. Cratchit/Doorstep Woman/Props, Shari Spencer; Kate, Cassandra “Casey” Pate; Businessman/Party Goer, Michael Patrick Brewer; Charwoman/Phoebe Cratchit, Gwen Watson; Mrs. Dilber/Martha/Fan, Cadence O’Brien; Buck, Titus Bormann; Tiny Tim Cratchit, Trey Ursich; Old Joe/Businessman; and Belinda Cratchit, Annabelle Moore.
The other behind-the-scenes volunteers that make the play a success are Lights/Choreographer, Matthew Merola; Carol Coach, Keely Hawkes; Stage Manager, Shari Spencer; Stage Hand, Avrie Milford; Script Manager/Sound Engineer, Alex May; and Curtain Flyer, Haven Bormann, all volunteering under Director Jeff Heisler and Assistant Director Gaye Gamble Heisler.
The show will be performed during the week before Christmas, on Dec. 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. The Friday and Saturday evening shows (Dec. 20 and 21) have performances beginning at 7 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m.
The Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 22, 23 and 24) shows are matinees performances at 4 p.m. with dinner served at 3 p.m. RSVP at www.HeislerTheater.com with ticket prices at $25 per adult; children under 18 are free.
This year, the dinners will be provided by Buddy’s BBQ, with a choice of 12-hour cooked and basted brisket or roasted chicken with roasted potatoes and beans; vegetarian chili; or a children’s meal, all with a hot dessert. Dinner prices range from $15 to $25. See the website for complete dinner descriptions.
Do not miss A Christmas Carol this year and “learn along with Scrooge the true blessings of Christmas,” concluded Jeff Heisler.
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