MCC's 'A Christmas Carol' play a family stage tradition
McCOOK, Neb. -- Nothing like a bit of 19th century "Merry ol' England" to lend a little perspective to the frantic modern-day pace of the holidays. For some families, a McCook Community College tradition has become a family holiday tradition.
For the past month or so, some McCook dinner table conversations go something like this:
"Have you ever seen such a pudding?"
"As good as gold!"
"Thankee, sir! Thankee!" Let the festivities begin!"
At the Todd and Lori Hinze household, talk like this means one thing -- it's time once again for MCC's "A Christmas Carol" and three family members, Lori, Malcolm and Isaac are carrying on a family tradition. And they're just one of several families who have embraced this stage tradition.
This year's cast is filled with the type of family bonds that create strong lasting memories and keep actors coming back time and time again. This year's performance is set for Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Fox Theatre and Sunday at 2 p.m. Cost is $5.
When former theater instructor Sue Watts brought "A Christmas Carol" to the MCC stage in about 1990, Don Harpst was cast as Scrooge and Phil Lyons was cast in the role of "Ghost of Christmas Past." That's when the Lyons family began their holiday tradition, participating every year it was staged. Son Chris was the first "Tiny Tim" and in subsequent years took on other various roles all the way through college.
"It's just a good way to spend time sharing common interests with your family." Lyons said.
With a dozen or so performances as "Ghost of Christmas Past" under the previous adaptation, Lyons shifts out of that role for new director Clay Grizzle and takes on the role of "Jacob Marley's Ghost" where he'll set up the other ghosts who meet "Scrooge" played once again by Don Harpst.
"I really like this version, there are some similarities and some obvious differences, but I think this new script calls for a lot more action for the children on stage," Lyons said. "Even though my own kids have moved on, it's difficult to pry yourself away from something you've invested so much time in over the years."
Lori Hinze and son Malcolm become the fourth members of their family to be involved in the Christmas tradition. At least one family member has been in the cast for the past four productions -- and not just because it gives them an excuse to use obscure old English at their kitchen table.
While his older brother Steven and younger brother Isaac are veterans of "A Christmas Carol," Malcolm is making his stage debut this weekend. He admits that seeing his brothers having fun year after year was a motivating factor, but the thought of being on stage was a little unnerving.
"This is the first time I've been in a play -- ever." he said and it has taken a little while to learn all the new aspects of acting, like projecting your voice, knowing where to stand, and how to better deliver dialogue rather than citing memorized lines."
Isaac twice played Tiny Tim and now plays a young "Scrooge," a part his oldest brother once played. The youngest Hinze just loves being on stage and in front of everyone, but he admits that this year is better than past years because he has his brother and mom going through it with him.
"We almost had Steven talked into it again but now that he's in high school, sometimes schedules don't always allow for that." Lori said.
A trio of McCook High School seniors have been a part of the Christmas Carol tradition since a couple were barely old enough to throw snowballs. Emily Karr was six when she was "Ignorance" or "Want" in the 2003 production, a "Snowball Kid" in 2005, and "Belle" and the "Laundress" in 2012. Allison Priddy was eight when she first landed the role of "Belle" in 2005, a role she's revived twice since as well as a Cratchit child. Rachel Gordine was also one of the Cratchit children when she joined the MCC play for the first time in 2008. All three are involved in the McCook High School Drama Department, community theatre, college plays and Missoula Children's Theatre productions. MHS senior Sean Tolliver is also in the play, cast as "Fred."
As busy high school seniors they just couldn't pass another chance to be a part of "A Christmas Carol."
"It's kind of a tradition, I couldn't not do it." said Emily Karr, who plays multiple roles this time around. While her initial stage appearance came as a shy kid now she enjoys being a Cockney-accented scoundrel. "I get to slouch and rub my nose and spit, and nobody stops me."
Gordine has been a part of several community and college productions but as a senior she's relishing the time she spends on stage with fellow actors. This year she has multiple roles including "Charity Solicitor," "Laundress", and "Topper."
"I get to hang out with my friends and have a lot of scenes with my best friend Emily," she said.
Priddy, who plays "Belle," young Scrooge's fiance' retains fond memories of the first time she joined the cast nine years ago.
"I just remember the first year I was in the play, Phil Lyons tried to keep us kids quiet backstage at rehearsals when he brought a deck of cards and taught us to quietly play pitch." she said.
With her daughter Emily now a senior, JeriLynn Karr is back in "A Christmas Carol" for a fifth time.
"I love getting the extra time with Emily, all too soon she will be gone away from me," she said. "I love seeing the beautiful young ladies that Emily, Rachel and Allison have become and knowing they have grown up in the theatre and will always have a place for it in their lives."
She said one of the most memorable things that happened came in her first appearance in a "Christmas Carol" in 1997. Then director Sue Watts cast the Karr's oldest daughter Alyssa as a "Snowball Kid", and even made her an "extra" Cratchit kid.
"Every time Bob Cratchit would arrive home, she would run and jump into his arms. Sue finally had to tell her she couldn't do that because Bob had to carry Tiny Tim!" Karr recalls.
For the past 15 years Leeann McCarty spent a whole lot of time bringing four of her six children to and from "A Christmas Carol" rehearsals. Two years ago when her youngest son Joseph was making plans to audition once again she told her children maybe it was time for her to audition.
"When they suggested I didn't have enough time, it was almost like a challenge and I had to do it." she joked. She participated in drama in high school but admittedly didn't have the time while she was raising children. This year with no remaining children at home Leeann is back again, and with an even bigger role -- the "Ghost of Christmas Present."
Other adult roles include: John O'Dea, "Fezziwig;" Debra Perrell, "Cook" and "Business Person;" Dan Sewell, "Undertaker's Man," "Mr. Buckworthy" and "Party Guest;" Roger Stupka, "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come," "Bill," and "Butcher;" Duane Tappe as "Charles Dickens;" Randy Hoelscher as "Bob Cratchit;" Danielle Sheneman as "Martha Cratchit;" Zachary Wright as "Ebenezer," "Old Joe," and "Blind Begger;" Sarah Jones as "Mother," "Sara," "Business Person," and "Miss Fezziwig."
"I believe theatre can give us a sense of confidence." JeriLynn Karr said. "It's always fun to see new people get involved in theatre and learn to love it as much as we do."
Despite young actors moving on there are always new eager ones waiting.
Claire Coady turns seven next month, and told JeriLynn that she liked Mister Scrooge because she gets to hug him in the play.
"I told her hugs are very important. I like hugs and she told me she 'hugs her mom every day and that's she's very good at it.'"
Olivia Koetter, is 11 and in her second production. "It was a very good opportunity to try something new, and it has been fun meeting new people." she said.
"I saw this play two years ago and decided to try out and I really like it," said Kaylie Puckett. "Acting is fun, plus my little brother is Tiny Tim and it's fun being in a play with your sibling."
The time-honored roll of "Tiny Tim" went to TJ Puckett, a kindergartner.
"I have an important line at the end, 'God Bless Us Every One.'" he said and he's excited that he gets to wear a costume. "Plus I get to tell my sister her lines when she forgets them."
Hannah Goltl is 13 and had never been in a play of this magnitude. Her friend Kaylie Puckett had to talk her into it.
"I've always liked acting, but I'm really shy and this is the first time I'm in a play like this, but I'm really glad I decided to try. It's been fun. The people are nice and I've made some new friends." Hannah said.
Avery McConville also appears as "Belinda Cratchit."
Here is a complete cast listing for this year's production of "A Christmas Carol":
Claire Coady: Herd of Children
Hannah Goltl: Raucous Daughter, Herd of Children
Rachel Gordine: Charity Solicitor, Laundress, Topper
Don Harpst: Scrooge
Isaac Hinze: Young Scrooge, Ignorance, Turkey Boy, Herd of Children
Malcolm Hinze: Peter Cratchit, Schoolboy, Dick
Lori Savery-Hinze: Mrs. Cratchit
Randy Hoelscher: Bob Cratchit
Sarah Jones: Mother, Sara, Business Person, Miss Fezziwig
Emily Karr: Charity Solicitor, Miss Fezziwig, Charwoman, Party Guest
JeriLynn Karr: Ghost of Christmas Past, Business Person
Olivia Koetter: Schoolgirl, Miss Fezziwig, Want, Herd of Children
Phil Lyons: Jacob Marley
Leeann McCarty: Ghost of Christmas Present, Flower Woman
Liz McCarty: School Mistress, Mrs. Fezziwig, Business Person
Avery McConville: Belinda Cratchit, Herd of Children
John O'Dea: Fezziwig
Debra Perrell: Cook, Business Person
Allison Priddy: Belle, Party Guest
Kaylie Puckett: Fan, Herd of Children
TJ Puckett: Tiny Tim
Dan Sewell: Undertaker's Man, Mr. Buckworthy, Party Guest
Danielle Sheneman: Martha Cratchit
Roger Stupka: Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, Bill, Butcher
Duane Tappe: Charles Dickens
Sean Tolliver: Fred
Zachary Wright: Ebenezer, Old Joe, Blind Beggar