A Christmas Carol at Barnstormers
A Christmas Carol at Barnstormers
Share with your family the classic holiday story of A Christmas Carol while supporting Grants Pass community theatre at the same time. This cautionary tale will begin its run at the Barnstormers Theatre, at 112 N.E. Evelyn, on December 7th.
This year slow down from the holiday craziness and create some new holiday memories by introducing the kids to the wondrous spectacle that is live theater. Whether it’s your first time to Barnstormers or you’re a season ticket holder, you’re sure to enjoy this classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge as he discovers the true meaning of the holidays after being visited in the night by 3 ghosts. Director Madeline DeCourcey explains, “Scrooge’s journey is a reflection, not necessarily on being a good Christian, but, at its core, on being a good person.”
DeCourcey started out as an actor on the Barnstormers’ stage when she was in high school, playing Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She went on to major in theatre at Illinois Wesleyan University where she learned that, although she loved being on stage, she also liked “telling people what to do and having them do it.” After college, she returned to the Rogue Valley to teach at Brighton Academy, where she has directed Revenge of the Space Pandas and On Time. She is simultaneously working with her students now on The Tolstoy Story Play which opens only a week after Christmas Carol. If her work and her animals were not enough to keep her busy, DeCourcey is also writing a screenplay, in which she hopes to someday direct. She says it is a “quirky comedy about grief.”
A Christmas Carol rehearsal at Barnstormers
Barnstormers chooses its selection based on a board-elected Artistic Committee. The committee discusses recommendations from the community and personal favorites, in addition to reflecting on monthly play readings to decide which shows to produce. DeCourcey was asked to find this season’s family selection, initially recommending The Velveteen Rabbit, but then deciding that Christmas Carol hadn’t been seen locally in five years, she recommended it as not only the family selection, but also the holiday production as well. DeCourcey was thrilled to be asked to direct the play, as it is one of her all time favorites. She loves the story of “one man’s miracle rebirth from a narrow view to a broad, compassionate view.” She likens it to finding beauty in the cold harsh winter where beauty is often so much less prevalent than the spring and summer months. She loves that it is an “absurd spiritual journey” that explores the importance of giving in a time of commercialism.
A Christmas Carol utilizes the Barnstormers’ turning stage and over 40 actors, about half of which are children, making this a huge undertaking. Ironically, DeCourcey loves peace and quiet in her personal life, but the director takes the chaos of such a large production in stride, noting that the experience thus-far has been “awesome” and that “the cast is amazing.” Although she is thoroughly enjoying each and every cast member, she makes special mention of how much she has enjoyed working with Russ Lloyd, who plays Scrooge, and Tricia Devets, who plays Mrs. Crachit. Both actors have been staples in local theater for many years. Lloyd has served as actor and director for a number of local productions at Barnstormers and beyond. He is also a playwright and Board President of Barnstormers. Devets was recently seen in Barnstormers’ Brighton Beach Memoirs and is joining her children on stage for this production.
Barnstormers is Oregon’s oldest continuous community theater, established in 1952 and in the same building since 1961. Come experience this quaint, historic landmark that has produced over 200 plays. With only 88 seats, every seat’s a good one. In addition to A Christmas Carol, there are many other things to enjoy at the theater, including play readings the first Sunday of the month and occasional classes in everything from stage movement to technical work. You can also buy out the theater for family reunions, business gatherings, or fundraising. The theater is always looking for volunteers as well. And if you don’t have time to volunteer, tax-deductible donations are gladly accepted, whether costumes, props, or set pieces. As a non-profit theater, Barnstormers will also accept cash donations which help maintain the facilities.
