For the fifth consecutive year, Clear Space Productions will present the delightful musical SCROOGE!
With book and lyrics by Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz, and music by Artistic Director, Doug Yetter, this delightful holiday musical is based on Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol.”
Even though the show has been running for five years with Clear Space, there are new changes every year, including casting. This year, John Marino of Lewes will portray Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys with ghosts of the past to change his holiday “hum-bug” outlook.
Some cast members have been a part of the production for several years and it continues to be something that they look forward to every holiday season.
Meghan Hayward of Milford has participated in SCROOGE! for four years now and played everything from a child in the Cratchit family to the Spirit of Christmas Past. She said, “The comments and notes given to me by the director [Ken Skrzesz] have allowed me to layer and create a stronger representation of my character.”
Cole Haden, of Dagsboro, who is playing Peter Cratchit for the third time added, “It is always such a fun experience to come back and play these roles. I always try to bring something new to my role every year, as the script has had many changes since I first started in 2006.
The show has changed in many ways as well as the experience. Every year the excitement seems to build and build as I become anxious to start another run of my favorite holiday tradition.”
There are only three new cast members this year; the rest having participated in previous years. Another seasoned actor of the company, Cheryl Graves of Rehoboth Beach, commented, “This is my fourth year and every year I enjoy it more. I know what the expectations are when performing with Clear Space and I look forward to every rehearsal.
It is a constant learning experience. The show changes enough every year so that it is still a challenge for me and I never take for granted the fact that I have played the roles before.
I have had the opportunity to work with many different cast members and it is wonderful to have the comfort of working with some of the same cast members over again. It was very intimidating, and still is sometimes, to share the stage with so many talented people, but just performing with them makes me want to be the best that I can be. I look forward to being a part of this wonderful “tradition” in some way for many years to come.”
When discussing the rehearsal process, Cole added, “This show has helped me grow as an actor because it has shown me how to apply what I have learned in classes, showcases etc. into a musical production. It has also given me experience to prepare me for what my future has to offer me artistically.”
Being a part of SCROOGE! as well as participating in SCROOGE! has become an awaited holiday event in the area and the whole Clear Space Company is thrilled to revive the production in the upcoming weeks as SCROOGE! celebrates its fifth year.
The show opens Thursday, December 10, at 7 p.m. in the new Cape Henlopen Theatre and continues December 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. as well as 3 p.m. matinees on the 12th and 13th. The show then tours to the Schwartz Center for the Arts in Dover on December 17th and 18th at 7 p.m.
Tickets to SCROOGE! can be purchased online at the Clear Space website: www.ClearSpaceProductions.org or by calling the box office at 302.644.3810. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for seniors, $15 for students, and $5 for children 12 and under.
For tickets to the Schwartz Center only, please call 302.678.5152. There are also student matinees offered for student groups at a special ticket price of $6. To make reservations for a student group, please contact Jen Hayward at jhayward@ClearSpaceProductions.org or by calling the office.
