{"id":49247,"date":"2017-11-28T14:12:05","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T19:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/?p=49247"},"modified":"2017-11-28T14:13:03","modified_gmt":"2017-11-28T19:13:03","slug":"ddn-story-becoming-scrooge-what-does-it-take-to-play-dickens-iconic-miser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/2017\/11\/28\/ddn-story-becoming-scrooge-what-does-it-take-to-play-dickens-iconic-miser\/","title":{"rendered":"DDN story: Becoming Scrooge \u2014 what does it take to play Dickens\u2019 iconic miser?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Excerpt<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Wright State University acting professor Bruce Cromer stars as Ebenezer Scrooge in the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park production of \u201cA Christmas Carol.\u201d Photo courtesy Tony Arrasmith\/Arrasmith and Associates<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

If you\u2019re an actor in search of a juicy part, chances are you\u2019ve had your eye on Ebenezer Scrooge. The iconic misanthrope has been a popular character since 1843 when author Charles Dickens penned a \u201cghostly little book\u201d in which the miserly businessman learns the true lessons of the Christmas holiday.<\/p>\n

\n

Over the years variations of \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d have been captured on stage and screen with the tightfisted, cold-hearted Mr. Scrooge portrayed by actors ranging from George C. Scott and Albert Finney to Jim Carrey and Tom Hanks. Among those bringing Scrooge to life in our area this holiday season are Wright State University acting professor Bruce Cromer<\/strong> and Atlanta-based actor Andy Harvey.<\/p>\n

Cromer, who lives in Yellow Springs, has played Scrooge at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park for the past 13 years and is currently on stage at the Playhouse through Dec. 30. Harvey will appear in a Victoria Theatre Association production of \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d staged by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, the professional touring wing of the Omaha Community Playhouse. That show will be at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton on Tuesday, Nov. 28 and Wednesday, Nov. 29.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Playhouse director Michael Haney has directed Cromer for many years and says he\u2019s an ideal Scrooge. \u201cHe brings pathos, power, inventiveness and ultimately joy and humor to his characterization,\u201d Haney says. \u201cBruce is tireless and never stops working on the role. His Scrooge is a marvel to behold, endearing himself to audience members of all ages and all levels of sophistication. His performance is frightening, funny and always true to Charles Dickens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kimberly Faith Hickman, a director for the Nebraska production, says their current Scrooge \u2014 Andy Harvey \u2014 has an unusual way of looking at the world. \u201cAndy is very open-minded and empathetic to others, which allows him to bring a sense of humanity to the roles that he chooses to play, particularly characters that are often seen as mean,\u201d she explains. \u201cHe brings a genuine heart and soul to Ebenezer Scrooge, which allows the audience to discover that Scrooge\u00a0isn\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0really mean. He\u2019s actually a man who experienced a multitude of losses, which resulted in a broken heart and loss of love for others. Because Andy has a huge heart, he is able to put Scrooge\u2019s heart back together again, and the audience\u2019s hearts as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

We talked to these two Scrooges about the fun and the challenges of this special role.<\/p>\n

Q:<\/strong>\u00a0What early memories do you have of Scrooge and the Dickens story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0I loved Charles Dickens\u2019 novels since the sixth grade. I saw the Alastair Sims movie version and the Mr. Magoo cartoon regularly with my family when I was growing up. I never dreamed that I would eventually play Ebenezer because I could never conceive of being that old, stingy and mean. I identified with Bob Cratchit and the ever-cheerful nephew, Fred.<\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0I was raised on the story. It was read aloud to me when I was young and I remember watching the George C. Scott version that was made for television.<\/p>\n

Q:<\/strong>\u00a0When did you first appear in a production of \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ve appeared in three different versions. The first was at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater in 1989, where I played Young Scrooge. Then I played Charles Dickens for three years \u2014 and Marley\u2019s Ghost and other characters \u2014 with the Human Race Theatre in the early \u201990s at the Victoria. My wife, Carol, and our two sons, Charlie and Toby, were in that production as well. Ed Stern, the former artistic director of the Cincinnati Playhouse, asked me to audition for Young Scrooge in 1996. I landed the role of Bob Cratchit, which I played for eight years before becoming Scrooge.<\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0I started doing the show with the Nebraska company six years ago in the role of Jacob Marley. Last year I began playing Scrooge.<\/p>\n

Q<\/strong>:\u00a0What appealed to you about this role?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0The breadth of the role: two hours, never leaving the stage, with a fabulous arc of the character and such a demanding emotional, vocal and physical challenge. When the sweat is dripping and you\u2019re ready to plop over, the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come ushers you back for Christmas morning and then Ebenezer becomes like a child again \u2014 redeemed, joyous, bouncing all over the place, singing, doing funny little dances.<\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0I was a little bit afraid of Scrooge when I first saw the film. He\u2019s so strong and very dark and then in the end is so joyful. I\u2019ve always loved that transition; it goes hand-in-hand with the Christmas season. As an actor you always want to play a character that goes somewhere and you can\u2019t have a bigger character arc than Scrooge. \u201cThe old sinner\u201d starts off angry and sullen, only caring about money and then ends up giddy.<\/p>\n

Q.<\/strong>\u00a0What are the challenges of playing Scrooge?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0The challenge is going through that transition, trying to step into the character\u2019s shoes and realistically take a look at his life. To remember things he hasn\u2019t remembered in years and make the decision to change. The ghost gives him that option; otherwise he would die in torment. As a human, I know what it\u2019s like to have evil and negative thoughts and feelings and as a Christian, I understand what redemption means. Our show doesn\u2019t mention God but Scrooge goes through a conversion. It\u2019s a very rewarding experience.<\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0We perform the show at the Playhouse eight to 10 times per week, 40-plus performances per year, and over 840 total shows by the end of this 2017 version. I\u2019ve read all of Charles Dickens\u2019 books, some twice, to get back into the Dickensian frame of mind, over the years. I watch all of the BBC adaptations of his works, read biographies, as well as annually enjoying his 1843 \u201cghostly little book.\u201d While doing the run, I watch only comedy films, stay away from depressing news reports, drink lots of water, eat well, and sleep tons. You have to be in not only good physical and vocal health, you must be in a suitably happy state of mind: Scrooge has to go to dark, unhappy, searing places nightly, before the Spirits induce him to experience the joy of Christmas.<\/p>\n

Q.<\/strong>\u00a0How has your perception of the character changed over the years?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0I originally played Scrooge as more of a physically comic role, trying to make him lovable despite the harsh, cold, businesslike way he deals with humanity in the early scenes. But my maturity has made Ebenezer less humorous and more heartfelt. He\u2019s slowed down as I\u2019ve aged \u2014 I began playing him when I was 47 and am now 60. He\u2019s gotten a bit more frightening, I think \u2014 and is really hit by the terrible mistakes of his life, when the Ghosts force him to relive those times. Few of us would like to step back into the moments when we might have done good and are powerless to change the harm we\u2019ve inflicted on others.<\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0Audiences are always surprised to learn I am actually 30 years old but play Scrooge in his mid-60s. Make-up and a character voice go a long way. I start low and nasty and end up giddy and audiences like to take that journey with me.<\/p>\n

Q<\/strong>.\u00a0What lessons can we learn from Scrooge and this story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Harvey:<\/strong>\u00a0As a country and nation and world we\u2019re going through very interesting times. A lot of this is not caring for your fellow man, being selfish. That\u2019s such an important part of this play: choosing to live and experience life instead of shutting down and only thinking of No. 1. England was struggling in Dickens\u2019 time. There was a lot of poverty and so the story rang true and it continues to ring true for every generation.<\/p>\n

Cromer:<\/strong>\u00a0Dickens and \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d give us hope that we can change. We can peel off the layers of hurt and pain and emotional scars we\u2019ve experienced and start again. We can look at how we might help, rather than harm, and have the courage to change. We can take advantage of the life we\u2019ve got and aid others, not cause them to suffer. And we can find the fulfillment of kindness, family, caring. With the current climate of our nation struggling with hatred and divisiveness, Scrooge is an example of making amends, showing we are all connected in this world \u2014 and perhaps beyond it.<\/p>\n

Read the original story at daytondailynews.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Excerpt   If you\u2019re an actor in search of a juicy part, chances are you\u2019ve had your eye on Ebenezer Scrooge. The iconic misanthrope has been a popular character since 1843 when author Charles Dickens penned a \u201cghostly little book\u201d … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":49250,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[730],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49247","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wright-state-in-the-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49247"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49247\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49252,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49247\/revisions\/49252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49250"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49247"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49247"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}