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A Christmas Carol
Articles written about the production:
Reflecting on Christmases Past, Present and Looking Forward to Those Yet to Come I am very familiar with The Rep’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Seven years ago, as an intern, I played several roles in the ensemble: one of the suitors to the Fezziwig daughters, a miner, a shadow of Christmas Future, a Marley ghost and a caroler. In addition, I was understudying Bob Cratchit, Fezziwig and Christmas Present, as well as a lead role in ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, and all the while rehearsing for ANNA CHRISTIE! A typical day began with understudy rehearsal at 9:00 am, followed by rehearsal for ANNA CHRISTIE, and finally A CHRISTMAS CAROL performance (sometimes two!). Needless to say, that year at The Rep was a very busy time in my life, but I can’t think of one thing I would change. I carry with me such incredible memories: the children in the play and what spirit they brought to the theater every day; and my secret Santa (Laura Gordon), who spoiled me with the most incredible treats, including the fruit tart she left at my dressing station that looked exactly like those at the Fezziwig Christmas Party! I remember the excitement and awe I felt going into the Pabst Theater for the first tech rehearsal. I was so proud to take part in the legacy of that beautiful place. And one of my all-time favorite theater moments happened in that production at the end of the first act. In the scene, old Scrooge (played by Jon Daly), is watching young Scrooge let Belle walk away. He calls out, “Stop her! You fool! You’ll never see her again! Go after her! She still loves you!”. But his words are useless. Jon would collapse to the ground in tears of regret, and then his daughter Emily (who was playing the youngest member of the Ghost of Christmas Past family), would approach him and the two of them would lock eyes; she would put her hand on her father’s heart, as if to comfort him and his eyes would well up with tears. That moment shared between father and daughter was so moving. I was fortunate enough to witness it every performance, and though I can’t speak for them, I’m pretty sure the rest of the ensemble will never forget it either. That season I spent at The Rep led me to many wonderful opportunities: four seasons with American Players Theatre, roles at Next Act, Milwaukee Shakespeare Company, Madison Rep and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Now, here I am, back at The Rep seven years later, to play Young Scrooge. And I must admit, I am thrilled to be playing that role because it has always been my favorite part of the story. We get the opportunity to see Scrooge as a young man falling in love. But as the scenes play out, we watch him veer toward another path and we witness the exact moment of his transformation when he chooses to let Belle go and utters his first “Humbug!” And while Scrooge sees his own transformation play out right before his eyes, the audience sees both the man he was and the man he has become. That “humbug” is heartbreaking every time I experience it – from the first time I read the novel in seventh grade, to when I saw it at the Guthrie Theater in high school, to being a part of it again this year at The Rep. We don’t get to see our lives played out before our eyes, but Scrooge’s journey encourages us every year to reflect on who we were and who we’ve become. It is often quite difficult to gain a perspective, especially in the midst of such difficult economic times, but A CHRISTMAS CAROL reminds us that ultimately it’s the people that we encounter that help to shape our lives and in turn we leave our mark on them. I credit The Rep, at least in part, for the path my own life has taken. It is because of the many wonderful actors that I had the opportunity to work with – Lee Ernst, Mark Corkins, Torrey Hanson, Jim DeVita, Colleen Madden, just to name a few – that I chose to pursue my MFA at the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware. It is always remarkable to me when I look back on my life and trace how one road ended up leading to the next, and equally remarkable that I have no idea where the next road will go. But for now (and every year), A CHRISTMAS CAROL is a time for reflection and a time to appreciate the many wonderful people in life – the Freds, the Bob Cratchits and the Tiny Tims – that make the difference. And as we learn with Scrooge on his journey, no matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to change course. Paul Hurley, Actor Share the Holiday Spirit with the cast of A CHRISTMAS CAROL Following all A CHRISTMAS CAROL performances, costumed actors will be in the Pabst Theater lobby Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Whisk the kids to a magical wonderland as three downtown parks are lit with thousands of twinkling Led by Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival is the city’s largest display of holiday cheer. Look for the transformation of three downtown parks into fairy-tale scenes, making downtown a must-see family attraction. Community Spirit Park at Cathedral Square Park gathers over 50 schools throughout the metro Milwaukee area to share their holiday wishes. Pere Marquette Park hosts a season of fanciful scenes with “Gingerbread Dreams.” Drop by “Frosty Fun” at Zeidler Union Square to see animated snowmen skiing, skating and snowboarding about the Square. The Jingle Bus returns this year and provides convenient transportation to view the Holiday Lights |
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