Disney’s big, splashy, 3-D movie version of “A Christmas Carol” is doing brisk business. But don’t overlook a warm, personal, stage production of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, coming to Redmond, Dec. 2-12.
“What trumps special effects is the human element. When you’re in the room, that’s 3-D — there’s no substitute for that,” promised sportscaster and motivational speaker Tony Ventrella, who is set to play Ebenezer Scrooge in Evergreen Family Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”
Formed 18 months ago, Evergreen Family Theatre is based at Redwood Family Church, 11500 Redmond-Woodinville Rd,.
Last holiday season, the theatre presented “It’s A Wonderful Life.” What draws people back to that story — and to “A Christmas Carol,” year after year — are their messages of hope, said Marsha Stueckle, artistic director.
This year, a message of hope “is more apropos than ever before,” said Ventrella.
“We all know our Scrooges in this economy,” Stueckle chuckled.
“And we’ve all been Scrooges, whether we’re having a bad day or there’s a meeting you don’t want to go to,” Ventrella pointed out.
But what grouch doesn’t feel uplifted at the conclusion of “A Christmas Carol,” the timeless tale of a cold-hearted miser who finds redemption through his travels with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come?
“I moved here in ‘81,” Ventrella noted, “and I’ve seen every ACT (Theatre) production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ since ‘82. It’s become a tradition, as well as the old Alastair Sim movie.”
What never fails to tugs at his heartstrings, each time he’s experienced “A Christmas Carol,” he said, “is that the Cratchit family has nothing material, but everything spiritual.”
At its core, Evergreen Family Theatre emphasizes family-friendly entertainment and arts education. It also has warm relationships with other local arts groups, often borrowing talent and resources from Redwood Theatre, Woodinville Repertory Theatre and more.
Ventrella has brought some Seahawks connections into the fold, too. A former Sea Gal, Kat Sturgess, is choreographing “A Christmas Carol.”
And Ventrella’s young granddaughters Preston and Edie Ventrella are appearing in the show, as Tiny Tim and Want, respectively.
Support for the arts and arts education are critical now, said Ventrella.
“The arts are taken for granted, but if the arts are missing, what do you do?,” he asked. “Arts training translates to life skills, such as public speaking and sales presentations. We just did a lecture at NFL Skills Day, about what happens when your football career is over. … I’ve covered sports my whole life and this is just as important.”
Tickets for Evergreen Family Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” are $12 for general admission and $10 for students or seniors. Parking is free and performances start at 7 p.m. each evening, with 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 5 and 12.
Tickets for Evergreen Family Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” are now on sale at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/81174.
For more information, call (425) 885-2244 or visit www.evergreenfamilytheatre.org.
