Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Who hasn't seen or read a version of Charles Dickens' Christmas classic "A Christmas Carol"?
But regardless of how many times one has witnessed the story in action, cast members of Wagon Wheel Theatre's production of the Dickens tale think audiences still will want to come out and see it again.
"Even though you know it," said Bob Miller who plays Ebenezer Scrooge in the musical, "you'll enjoy it."
The whole family will like it. "The kids will love it," said Miller.
"A Christmas Carol - The Musical" is at the WWT through Dec. 19.
Dan Zakarija, who is making his 16th appearance on the WWT stage in "A Christmas Carol," plays the ghost of Christmas present.
"He's full of life," said Zakarija. "He's one of the ghosts that live in the present, the moment. He finds joy in life."
Like an onion, Miller said, Scrooge has "a lot of layers. He's just a twisted human being. He's been twisted by life and reacts to it badly. He's lived behind a mask since he was a young man. It's hard to put all that complex character into a couple of sentences."
This isn't the first time Miller has appeared in a version of "A Christmas Carol." He's played Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Present as well as Scrooge's business partner Jacob Marley. But Miller doesn't mind as he loves the story.
"It literally is one of my favorite books," Miller said.
When acting in a "Christmas Carol" production, he said, he tries to stay true to the text as much as the script allows. Having done so many versions of the story, he's also gleaned different perspectives of the story.
"It's time for me to put up or shut up," Miller said.
As most people likely have seen "A Christmas Carol" more than once, Zakarija said, the best thing he can do to make the story fresh is just bring himself to it. "That's where the freshness comes in. Of course, you can steal from the best."
If an actor doesn't bring themselves to their role, Miller said, the audiences probably won't be able to relate to the character.
The production could be a first time audiences have seen the Dickens classic set to music. But again, the cast thinks the audiences will like it, maybe even more so.
"I think the music in something like this makes it easier because the music makes it emotional," said Miller.
And of the different versions of "A Christmas Carol" Miller has been in, he said, he's performed in three musical versions of it. The story lends itself to music because the story has a powerful meaning to it and music makes it more emotional.
"The text is so emotionally driven," said Zakarija. "Put it in the right hands, (the music) makes it that much easier."
Zakarija's musical number, "Abundance and Charity," is the big show stopper. "It's myself with six chorus girls."
He said the song breaks up all the terrifying aspects of the show. "I think it's going to be fantastic."
"Most of the music in the show," said Miller, "sounds very period to me, except for Dan's number, which is not as bleak as it is up to that moment. Musically, it really differentiates from the rest of the (musical)."
The show, Zakarija said, "is very quick. Very efficient. There's no extraneous scenes or anything. It's a very short show in that respect. ... Which makes it hard on the cast because it never does stop."
