Clarksville, TN – The Roxy Regional Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol is in full swing after three very successful weekends. With the holidays being such an important time to us all, and our actors having to give up some of these holiday traditions to be apart of this cast, I thought it would be good for us all to reflect on what makes Christmas special to us.
So, last week, I asked the cast of A Christmas Carol, “What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?” Here are some of the responses.
Travis Kendrick, playing the other Solicitor, Mr. Fezziwig, Christmas Present said, “One Christmas Eve when I was very young, my family and I were sitting around the Christmas tree listening to Christmas music by the fire, when I heard Santa’s sleigh bells coming from the roof! I got so nervous-because everyone knows you have to be in bed ASLEEP when Santa comes or he might pass your house, duh-that I ran up the two flights of stairs to my room, jumped into bed (clothes and all) and pretended with all my might I was asleep. I then noticed a new sound-the sound of uproarious laughter coming from downstairs. I came downstairs to find my whole family in tears from laughing so much as the song “Jingle Bells” plays in the background. I had heard the intro to a song and not Santa’s sleigh. Whew! What a relief! There was still him before he came.”
John McDonald, the Roxy Regional Theatre’s artistic director and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol said, “Did I ever tell you about the time Santa Claus came to my house? Yes, to my very own home. I don’t mean in the wee hours of Christmas morning — in point of fact, it was Christmas Eve, before bedtime, when I was four and wide awake. Lowenstein’s, Memphis’ chic dress shop, had closed early for the holiday. My Aunt Loyce worked in the lingerie department, and she knew the man who was standing in for Santa. I know when I was small, when we saw more than one Santa in a day, Mother would say, “Oh, he is one of Santa’s helpers.”
Well, that Christmas Eve the real Santa entered our first house, a new GI Bill home. Santa sat on one of our dining room chairs. I can still see the striped material on the chair and its mahogany harp-shaped back. The wallpaper too sticks out, but only as the background for the man in the red velvet suit, backed up by huge pink cabbage roses. I remember sitting on his lap and being told to tell Santa what I wanted for Christmas. I don’t remember what I asked for. I think I was mute for the first and, alas, the last time in my life. I was told not to peek out the windows, for fear of frightening the reindeer.
It was only after he left that I remembered that I had forgotten to ask for an electric train. I never asked for the train. That night — and I’ve told this story for many years to anyone who would listen — that night I remember like yesterday, saying my prayers and asking God to let Santa know I wanted a train set. At that moment the alleluia angel, just like the one that hung above the crèche my grandmother had bought for us, flew across the ceiling, or rather, its silhouette did.
All prayers are answered, but rarely in the time we humans want them to be. God doesn’t carry a watch. But He has a vast colorful vision — you remember, he created the rainbow. I’ve told the Santa story — and the alleluia angel — for many years. It was only on the last telling that it wasn’t the angel flying over my bed, but my mother or father — or better, both -– standing in the doorway, checking on me, while blocking the hall light, as their shadows passed over the ceiling above my head. The miracle of the angel with the miracle of loving parents who had already purchased, on layaway, a Lionel train set. How many two-dollars put aside for how many weeks, I’ll never know, nor was I ever meant to know.
You have a few more chances to see the Roxy Regional Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol. Don’t miss out on this exciting annual event!
See you at the theatre.
