It has been my privilege to take part in the production of this play. I'd never seen the process of "putting on a show" before and asked Kurt Schindler if I could watch if I stayed out of the way. I will be forever grateful that he said Yes and never let me stay out of the way even when I really should have. I can't say enough--and haven't; you'll see that when you read this post--about the actors who brought Dickens' characters to life. I hope you come and see the show.
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| Photograph courtesy of Sarah L. Luginbill |
There’s
little indication outside the Depot, home of Ole Olsen Memorial Theatre in Peru, Indiana, that there are
big doings going on inside. The building is its beautiful, tranquil self,
dressed up by the gazebo and the River Walk and the personalized memorial bricks in
its paths.
But
inside, the stage is full. Of props, platforms, actors, and the occasional
director. And there in the back, where you can sort of see it but sort of
not—it’s full back there, too. The walls are black and so are the clothes worn
by the cast of director
Kurt Schindler’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’
A Christmas Carol. The furniture’s
eclectic. Noisy. A pink chair should look out of place but doesn’t. So should a
red tutu and a dented barrel and a blow-up chicken that needs to pass for a
goose. But they don’t.
Scarves are stuffed into Christmas gift bags. Vests hang
haphazard and crooked from wall hooks. There are baskets here and there.
Shelves that hold…stuff. At least, that’s what it looks like, but when the show
begins, you see that things like a curtain, a boot, and a purple brooch have
their places.
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| Photograph courtesy of Laura Stroud |
Schindler’s treatment of the classic story is different.
There are more laughs. Some startling moments—the Ghost of Christmas Present
has a lovely Irish accent, some roles are non-traditional, and Turkey Boy
is…well, you really need to see the show. I’m not going to spoil that
particular surprise.
But
there are also scenes that, just as they’ve done in every version of the story
you’ve ever seen, will break your heart. Most of the cast are Ole Olsen
veterans, and their experience and dedication to their art show in their
performances.
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| Photograph courtesy of Laura Stroud |
There are new ones, too. Well, not new now. Not after the hours they've spent learning lines and expressions and nuances that have given them other identities. By now, they're seasoned.
“I
wrote it hard,” said Schindler. “Maybe too hard. But I love this show. I love
this cast.”
Like
any other community theater, production has had its difficulties. Illness
created the necessity for a last-minute replacement. People have day jobs.
School. Sometimes both. There are a lot of lines to learn. Watching from her
place at the table in front of the stage, the assistant director watched the
process and wondered how they’d get it done. Actually she wondered if they’d get it done.
Media
night was Monday, November 27. The performance probably wasn’t seamless—most
worthwhile things aren’t—but it was awesome, not a word to be used lightly,
nevertheless.
Laura Stroud, props mistress, said, “We have a
show.” She looked satisfied, maybe relieved. But not surprised.
Of
course, they have a show. Of course, they “got it done.”
The
assistant director shouldn’t have wondered. Shouldn’t have worried about old
Joe or Mrs. Cratchit or Scrooge or how that many people were going to dance on
the Ole Olsen stage at one time. “They’re troupers,” said Schindler. “They’re
all troupers.”
Tickets
are still available for the shows. Call 765/472-3680 for reservations. Friday
& Saturday Nights: 12/1 & 12/2; 12/8 & 12/9 @ 7:30 p.m. Sunday Matinees: 12/3 & 12/10 @ 2:00 p.m.
