A Christmas Carol
Hale Center Theater OremView digital playbillNov 27, 2021 – Dec 23, 2021
In this production of A Christmas Carol Scrooge scolds his nephew Fred for being so cheerful about Christmas and chides him with the question “What reason have you to be merry?” This is a question that has really struck me this year as I have worked on this show. What reason do we have to be merry indeed? Scrooge’s journey allows him to consider and answer that question himself as he goes through the journey of the four ghosts. Scrooge is where he is—Fred describes him as dismal and morose—because of the culmination of many decisions over his life. Throughout his life, Scrooge, like many of us, is surrounded by friends, mentors and the loves that try to help him be a kind, compassionate person. He discovers that he has been blind to some of the lessons and has allowed greed and selfishness to overcome all other priorities. His choices left him with one tangible—he is wealthy. But is he merry? Of all of the things that Scrooge has gained in his life—position and money— none bring merriment to him. As the ghosts teach him what the true spirit of Christmas is, Scrooge sees these wonderful examples from his life and realizes that they were right along. That being merry is simply an outward expression of the inner soul who is at peace with life, kind and friendly with others, and willing to serve others. These reminders bring a foundation of joy and happiness back into Scrooge’s life. He is a changed man. He will be merry this Christmas and for all the rest of his years. There are two key takeaways here – find the merry in the time we have with others, working, struggling, and celebrating and be the person who can inspire others. May you be like Scrooge and all those who reached out to him in his life— find the connections, bring happiness, and serve others around you to have the merriest of Christmases this year!