'A Christmas Carol' opens tonight at Stained Glass Theatre

Claire Hassler/News Tribune
The cast of A Christmas Carol rehearses on Monday, November 18, 2019 at Stained Glass Theatre in Jefferson City. Showtimes for the play will be Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. December 5 through December 21.
Claire Hassler/News Tribune The cast of A Christmas Carol rehearses on Monday, November 18, 2019 at Stained Glass Theatre in Jefferson City. Showtimes for the play will be Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. December 5 through December 21.

With the holiday season in full swing, it seems only appropriate to enjoy the famed Christmas classic "A Christmas Carol."

Starting tonight, Stained Glass Theatre of Mid-Missouri is putting on the holiday production, directed by Roger Martin.

For those unfamiliar with the tale from Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge is a "cold-hearted miser" who hates Christmas and receives a visit from a ghost warning him of the future that awaits if Scrooge does not change his ways. Through the spirit of Christmas past, present and yet to come, Scrooge is transformed into a kinder man who understands and embraces the message of the holiday.

For this particular production, Martin said he put together a script based on the original work by Dickens.

"I've tried to stay as true to the original manuscript as possible and still adapt it for the stage," Martin said. "Most of the words you hear our characters speaking are going to be directly out of Charles Dickens' book. We tried to stay very close to the original."

It's not the first time Martin has directed the Christmas classic on the Stained Glass stage - he directed the show about six years ago, when they used an already available stage adaptation. In doing his own adaptation, which was finished early this year, Martin said he was surprised at the spirituality that was present in Dickens' original work. That element was lacking in the earlier production, Martin said, but is a core component of this year's show.

"It is a very spiritual play," he said. "In the end, it shows (Scrooge's) personal redemption and a stronger relationship with God."

The story is also blended with traditional Christmas music from the 17th and 18th centuries, he said, noting the carols should be familiar to most. For those who recognize a tune, Martin said he hopes they'll join in with their own voice.

"We're hoping audiences will be singing along with us as we carol throughout the play," he said.

The cast has been rehearsing for the holiday production since September, Martin said, and audiences should expect "lots of movement." The majority of the cast has doubled up on parts, he said, with only a few of the core cast staying as one character throughout the show.

For the well-known character of Tiny Tim, the role will be played by 4-year-old Lesander Rutter. Lesander's parents, Jon-Michael and Kira Rutter, are playing the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit, Tiny Tim's parents. Martin said having a cast member so young can lend some unpredictability to the show.

"You never know what you're going to get with a 4 year old, but whatever we get, it's going to be adorable," he said laughing.

Martin noted Lesander's mother, Kira, directs the Itsy Bitsy Broadway Children's Theater at Capital Mall, so she has experience with small children in theater.

"A Christmas Carol" opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight, with additional shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 19-20, and matinee performances set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21. Tickets are $9, with the exception of the show tonight, where tickets are $7. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the theater at 573-634-5313, email [email protected] or visit sgtmidmo.org. Stained Glass Theatre is located at 830 E. High St.