A Christmas Carol, Act 1

Photos by Barbara Ann Meuers

I've been a closet ham ever since I can remember. I normally don't like to go without a shirt because some sneaky boar stamped Grade A on my back when I was about 17. Back then, coincidently, I had the "leads" in a musical called "Seventeen", another called "Babes In Arms", a play entitled "Don't Take My Penny", and the Gilbert and Sullivan classic operetta "HMS Pinafore".

Well, I ain't done squat since, although my wife, brothers, daughters, and close friends might tell you that I've been acting all my life, and can be pretty melodramatic about it all too. That is until last December. My friend Derrick, who is an oftentimes actor in community theater, told me they were looking for singing extras in the 7th Annual Greg Gasman production of "A Christmas Carol". Or, maybe I was eavesdropping as he was telling daughter Ashley and wife Rachelle about the call...I forget. Does that sound like a "chorus line"? Nope, it's the truth!

Apparently Gasman had heard of my previous great performances, because I didn't even have to audition. Or, maybe Derrick has great influence...I forget. Because he's done the play seven times, he keeps thinking of new ways or angles to put the thing across. This time, he's telling the story in the present at a party he's hosting on the left side of the stage, and the classic tale is taking place on the right side of the stage. It was a great time.

Some of the songs I quote aren't from Christmas.  Because we aren't living in the southern hemisphere, it's six months or so 'til Christmas. Sorry. I'll probably bore you to death with all the photos I've got, but being as full of myself as I am, I must document my "comeback" career in acting. And it's been working, after my resurgence on the stage, I got a movie role playing a fellow named Lewis Cass.  Look it up. Suppose I'll be reviving my singing and dancing career too. So this is one of four. Hang on. 

I'm a little nervous at the beginning, so I keep my head to the back of my camera. Wait, that doesn't make sense. See how nervous I am?

My talent must have oozed out, because the director has decided to use me not only as a "party singer/extra", but now I'll be on the right side of the stage too as a dancer. I search for an appropriate costume.

By george, I think I've found it. I'll look good in a gray penguin suit, yup ah will.

Looking through the window from back stage. This is still a rehearsal, that's why nobody is in the audience. Well, there are some bodies, but they're part of the crew.

Music director Karen, goes over a few numbers with the trio. That's Ashley in the center.

Just how does one wassail? Is it a verb? A noun? A strange past tense of boating?
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,

No, this isn't Santa Claus, he the director Greg who is actually playing himself telling the story about Cratchit and Co.

There's Derrick er, Bob Cratchit, maybe he's amazed at the singing style of Ebenezer's niece. That's Eben's niece sir.

The ghost of Christmas past is freaking out old Scrooge. Serves him right. He's kind of a scrooge.

Here's the Ghost of Christmas Present, (well yeah, duh) Kari Lou is in a play now.


Hey Carrie Anne what's your game now

Can anybody play~The Hollies

A penguin doing the dosey doe? I almost tipped over.

Rebalanced. Phew. No more penguin walk, although still look a bit like Opus. Here we come awaddling among the leaves so green...


(I'm gonna) walk like a man
Fast as I can
Walk like a man from you
I'll tell the world to forget about it girl
And walk like a man from you.~Frankie Valli

That's Ashley in front with Fezziwig, Rachelle and I are to the rear. I never did do this without mistake, but who cares, who knows?


Friends won't learn the truth from me
I don't want their sympathy
You go to parties, dances and shows
I still love you but no one knows.~Dion and the Belmonts 

Rachelle and I work are way to the front of the dance line, so Barb can get a better pic.

The dancers have a seat, while Fezziwig tells a tale, much to the amusement of all.

Ho, ho, ho! You know what's weird? I always thought reindeer had hooves, not paws.


Up on the housetop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn't go?

Part of the choreography was pointy fingers.

Bloody Mary is the girl I love.

Now listen, do you want to know a secret? Yeah, well Barb put a bell around my neck so I couldn't sneak up on anybody. Jeesh. Shhhh.

High five.


Ho, ho, ho! 
Who wouldn’t go! 
Ho, ho, ho! 
Who wouldn’t go! 
Up on the rooftop 
Click, click, click 
Down thru the chimney with 
Good Saint Nick 

The chorus line.

Poor Derrick, er Bob. He's got lines to memorize. What a thespian, studying in the lobby. Look how dedicated he is.

Because it's hard for me my baby 

And the darkest hour is just before dawn 

Each night before you go to bed my baby 

Whisper a little prayer for me my baby 

And tell all the stars above 

This is dedicated to the one I love~The Shirelles