‘Christmas Carol’ opens at Growing Stage
“What I enjoy the most about Scrooge is how he reminds me of all the bad bosses I’ve endured.”
John Patrick Cleary is too much of a gentleman to specify who those bosses are. But though he may be joking, he touches on one of the reasons why “A Christmas Carol” continues to attract readers and audiences.
Cleary is playing Ebenezer Scrooge in the musical production of “A Christmas Carol” that opens today at The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theater of New Jersey in Netcong.
In an e-mail exchange, Cleary comments on the way that Scrooge’s story still manages to speak to modern audiences more than 170 years after Charles Dickens wrote the story.
“One thing that is really outstanding is (Scrooge’s) transformation from a rapaciously selfish business man to humanitarian,” Cleary writes.
“As a morality play, this is most instructive to me not only as an actor but a person. That one can overcome obstacles in their character to learn how to be more empathetic, to listen better and to love.”
Cleary, who is an assistant professor of philosophy at Raritan Valley Community College, points out that Scrooge’s transformation from miser to benefactor is also more complex than some audiences realize.
“It could be argued, however, that Scrooge, at least from the libretto we are working with, does not quite redeem himself,” Cleary notes.
“He remarks that other’s concerns ‘have nothing to do with him’ and yet at the close of the show he remarks, ‘Others now have something to do with him.’ This could be interpreted as a partial moral transformation, but not a complete one,” Cleary writes.
The social backdrop for “A Christmas Carol” also resonates in the year 2015, according to Cleary.
“If you take a look at some of Dickens’ other work including, but not limited to, ‘Great Expectations,’ ‘Bleak House,’ and ‘Oliver Twist,’ there is a recurring theme: poverty, suffering, and the role of selfishness and greed in maintaining it,” Cleary writes.
“Audiences (may) connect this with themes in Judeo-Christian humanitarianism and the belief that it is our duty to help the disadvantaged,” he continues. “It is also a story of self-overcoming…These are all narratives that speak to our better nature.”
The Growing Stage is using the version of “A Christmas Carol” crafted by Lynn Ahrens (lyrics and book), Mike Ockrent (book), and Alan Menken (music). The score by Menken — who also composed the music for “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast,” among other Disney shows – is one of the appeals of this show, according to Cara Ganski, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past in Netcong.
“I'm a huge Disney fan — always have been, always will be,” writes Ganski in an email. “What I love about our production is (that) Alan Menken, who has worked on many Disney productions, is the composer.”
Like Cleary, Ganski feels that “A Christmas Carol” will always speak to audiences. “I think this story’s humor and message have allowed it to stand the test of time,” she writes. “The holidays are a time for reflection; a time to look inward, access, and be the change we wish to see in the world. We all know someone who can be a bit of a Scrooge. That person could even be us! Witnessing Scrooge's journey reminds us what is truly important: friends, family, and the gift of giving.”
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
WHEN: Through Dec. 20. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (On Sunday, Dec. 6, the show is at 3 p.m., followed by Netcong Holiday Parade.)
WHERE: The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey, Route 183, 7 Ledgewood Ave., Netcong
TICKETS: Saturdays and Sundays: $25, $20 seniors, $15 for students. Fridays: $15 for all.
INFO: 973-347-4946 and www.growingstage.com