Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts to visit Fox Theatre
The 9 percent unemployment rate rings of Cratchit family Christmases. Modern day retail workers know the plight of Bob Cratchit, working on Thanksgiving just as he worked through Christmas Eve, and those suffering from diseases such as cancer can sympathize with Tiny Tim. It has been told hundreds of times, but that does not make it any less real.
The age-old story of the binding power of the Christmas spirit, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” will hit the Fox Theatre from Dec. 1 through 4, linking modern struggles to a beloved holiday tale.
The plot, ingrained in the hearts and minds of society since its creation, revolves around Ebenezer Scrooge, an old man whose stubborn ignorance surfaces with the help of three ghosts. The Christmas spirits of the past, present and future come to Scrooge in the middle of the night, in an attempt to rid him of his greedy ways.
Jeff Horst, an Ohio native, plays Scrooge in this Nebraska Theater Caravan’s production. Compared to other productions of the classic story, Horst is one of the youngest actors to take on the role of the aged Scrooge.
“It’s the 33rd anniversary of this stage production, which is about as long as I’ve been alive,” Horst said.
Horst’s ultimate motivation in playing Scrooge is less dependent on his age than on the humanistic qualities that he possesses, a side often overlooked in the portrayal of the character. In an age of reality shows that are anything but real, spinning this classic tale into a truly “real” light is exactly the facelift that it needs in order to continue down the same path of success that has almost worn thin.
“I tried to find those moments where he is kind,” Horst said. “Playing him as a straight-up mean guy doesn’t serve anybody.”
Myriad productions of “A Christmas Carol” have fulfilled society’s desire for a good laugh, often taking on a cartoonish, humorous dimension. This production promises an emphasis on each individual character’s human side, beyond the scope of what is seen on stage.
Freshman Chris Ruiz said he is familiar with both the cartoon and humanistic versions that have embodied this story, with Ruiz’s allegiance leaning toward the former.
“I saw the Muppet version before any other version, and I like it the most,” Ruiz said. “‘A Christmas Carol’ was the first Christmas movie I remember seeing when I was young.”
In contrast, Horst said he thinks the humane version will have wider appeal, connecting the audience to the cast in unseen commonalities, which are rooted in Dickens’ own life.
“Yes, this is a story that came out of Charles Dickens’ mind, but who says that he didn’t know people like this and base the story on that? These are real characters,” Horst said. “They have hearts.”
By creating an alternate dimension to the previously established characters, a new environment is created with which the audience can identify, a much-needed shift from the mold of past productions.
“A Christmas Carol” is a time-honored tradition at the Fox Theatre, according to sophomore Kendra Kerner.
“I watched ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Fox last year, and I absolutely loved it,” Kerner said. “It really got me in the Christmas spirit. It reflects the true meaning of Christmas, and reminded me of all that I have to be thankful for.”
While the Christmas season is, for the most part, uplifting, Scrooge’s journey of revelation does not necessarily fall into that category, with the struggles of his past and the bleakness of his future becoming sadly tangible. The cast said it hopes that similar audience struggles will further the production’s goal of bringing humanity to the stage.
“Even though it’s a time of celebration, life does not stop for the holidays,” Horst said. “We want the audience to be entertained and to be relieved of whatever burdens they may be going through and feel a little lighter.”
Maybe this worn-out story is not so worn out after all.
