Whitefish Theatre Company tells classic holiday story in ‘A Christmas Carol’

Cast members perform at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Cast members perform at the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Cast members perform at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 production of A Christmas Carol. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Michael Oaks, who plays Bob Cratchit, performs during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 production of A Christmas Carol. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Cast members perform at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Edie Duston performs as the part of Grace Smythe during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Mikey Winn, Whitefish Theatre Company's operations and marketing director, performs in a dress rehearsal for the company's 2023 production of "A Christmas Carol," where he plays the ghost of Jacob Marley. The holiday show is Winn's 24th local production. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Laura Abernethy is seen during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "A Christmas Carol." Abernethy plays the part of the Ghost of Christmas Past. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Members of Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 holiday production, "A Christmas Carol," perform during a dress rehearsal. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

Cast members sing at the O'Shaughnessy Cultural Arts Center in Whitefish during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)
Matthew Wetzler

| December 9, 2023 11:00 PM

Victorian cobblestone, a detailed Big Ben and an array of Christmas goods grace the inside of the stage at O'Shaughnessy Center as snow flurries fall outside. Chatter from an excited cast, approaching opening day, fills the Whitefish auditorium.

“Alright, everybody. Quickly and oh so quietly get in your places for the start of the show,” the director says.

Footsteps quickly disperse and whispers turn to shushes as the cast takes their places. The piano plays; the show begins.

“Everybody sing… Fa-la-la-la-la,” their combined voices ring as they move around during the opening number. It is a song from “A Christmas Carol,” a classic Christmas story that has been told for 180 years.

This holiday season, the Whitefish Theatre Company is taking its shot at telling it during its production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical.” The show opened Thursday, Dec. 7 and runs through Dec. 17.

Cast members, ranging in experience and age, the youngest performer being at 9 and the oldest 77, are reflecting on what the story — and the community the theater provides — means.

“I think people will, besides being inspired, will also laugh their butts off at this show,” said Malcolm Sharbutt.

The musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens novella recounts the story of the elderly miser Ebenezer Scrooge who is forced to face his selfish ways when on Christmas Eve he meets three ghosts who lead him through his past, present and future.

Playing the musical’s lead, Sharbutt, 43, moved to Whitefish four years ago after pursuing acting on both American coasts. “A Christmas Carol” will be his third show at Whitefish Theatre Company, a place he describes as inspiring and professional.

“Everyone here just wants to tell a story,” Sharbutt said. “I’ve been doing theater since I was a teenager and this is the most fun I’ve ever had.”

Part of that fun, Sharbutt emphasized, is meeting and getting to know the other cast and crew members.

Michael Oaks, 49, tried out for the show after encouragement from his son, 16-year-old Noah Oaks. After participating in the theater’s production of “Elf the Musical” in 2022, being a part of “A Christmas Carol” was an easy decision.

The two get to perform together, now, for the second year in a row.

“It’s fascinating how much talent there is out there, and this is a cool outlet for that,” Michael, who plays Bob Cratchit, Scrooge’s clerk, said. “We get to be a part of a classic story too.”

Michael’s son, Noah, plays a myriad of roles in the production, from a gravedigger to a young Jacob Marley, a former business partner of Scrooge’s. One of the coolest parts of being a part of the show, Noah said, is making new friends, working with adults and performing for friends and family.

Michael echoes the sentiment.

“It’s a bit of a dream for a father,” he said.

The concept of what “A Christmas Carol” is about is incredibly important to the overall production as well, the cast members agreed. The meaning of the story is worth paying attention to, Michael said, as it teaches one to step away from selfishness and embrace gratitude.

Director Kim Kruger applauds the efforts, dedication and energy of the cast and crew members. With 40 actors, three band members, a technical director and a costume director, everyone has come together to make the vision come to life — including numerous volunteers.

“I think the reason we do theater is for one moment, no matter what else is happening in the world, you come to the theater and get to feel a different emotion. It’s a great gift to give,” said Kruger, who also serves as the theater company’s artistic director.

For Mikey Winn, the theater’s operations and marketing director, “A Christmas Carol” is his 24th local production. The highlight of the show, Winn said, was the “jolliness” of it. It is one of those shows that highlights the true meaning of the holiday season.

“[Whitefish Theatre Company] is just such an open arms place, you can’t help but do more,” he said.

“A Christmas Carol” is the theater’s annual holiday production. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students with reserved seating.

The remaining shows are Dec. 14, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 17 at 4 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 1 Central Avenue in Whitefish or by calling 862-5371. Box Office Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance. Individual tickets can also be purchased online at www.whitefishtheatreco.org.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4452.

Michael Oaks, who plays Bob Cratchit, performs during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 production of A Christmas Carol. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)

Edie Duston performs as the part of Grace Smythe during a dress rehearsal for Whitefish Theatre Company's production of "A Christmas Carol." (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)

Members of Whitefish Theatre Company's 2023 holiday production, "A Christmas Carol," perform during a dress rehearsal. (Photo courtesy of Matt Wetzler/Thewmatt Photography)