- Dec 9, 2019
- 2 min read

A Must-See Christmas Tradition

Article & Pictures by Sara Record

The crowd rumbles. The chandeliers sparkle above. We sit in comfortable red seats, waiting, just waiting. There are luminarias and a Christmas tree twinkling in the lobby, bits of snow spitting outside. The cold chases everyone in. The houselights go down and there’s a synchronized intake of breath as we in the audience see the curtains creak open.

It’s CHRISTMASTIME! And that means another amazing holiday show at the Shuler Theater. Occasionally, the directors decide to try something new and do something different, such as Miracle On 34th Street. However, Charles Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol,” has become such a local favorite that they never go more than two years without doing the show. A Christmas Carol is a classic masterpiece about the tightfisted miser, Ebenezer Scrooge, and the ghosts that plague him and eventually truly change him. The show is set in London in the 1800’s, and features traditional music and Christmas carols that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.

Most people who have never been involved in theater don’t actually realize all of the hard work that goes into putting on a production- there are roles to be cast, lines to be learned, set pieces to be dug out and cleaned out or created, behind-the-stage crew learning the secrets the Shuler holds. There is a huge basement where props are stored, as well as some sets from previous shows that have been disassembled. The basement is dark and cold and wonderful, and you can find almost anything there, from fake bones to a dentist chair. Upstairs are rooms and rooms bursting with costumes.

We are lucky to have a fantastic line-up this year, both cast and crew. The show is being co-directed by the dedicated, tenacious, and caring Sara Kowalski and Elizabeth Record. Bill Crary has been working on music and singing with the cast, and Beki Laird and Marsha Telesmanic have been working hard getting everyone in period-appropriate costumes. We owe a big thank you to Clint Henson and his Raton High School Drama Class, who took the time to paint sets, repair props, and even painted the Shuler stage so the theater will look its best. Howard Woodworth taught the cast to waltz, and to do the Virginia Reel, and we are fortunate to have Lucas Jansen operating lights and sound.

The cast of “Christmas Carol” is varied and talented. Our youngest actress is only 5 years old! This is incredible for the Theater- it’s great to hook a theater enthusiast of ANY age, but kids growing up in the Shuler is a truly wonderful thing.