For Jackson Schultz, actor, choreographer and master of ceremonies in The Riverfront Playhouse’s adapted production of “A Christmas Carol,” a successful show means making a connection.
“There are these beautiful moments at the end of a show where someone from the audience will come up to us and share something about their family or their life,” Schultz said.
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“They will share something deeply personal, and how much this show means to them. Now suddenly, we have this huge thing in common. The theater could have that one person sitting there without anyone else in the audience, and I’d still call it a successful show.”
“A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 p.m. on Sundays, from Dec. 8-17 at The Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora.
Jackson Schultz’s late father, Jack, adapted the Charles Dickens’ classic and wrote nine songs for the show. Jack Schultz’s version has a traveling band of actors arriving in town on a circus wagon to tell the story. The twist provides a framework for Ebenezer Scrooge to get ghostly visits from his deceased partner, Jacob Marley, and the three spirits of Christmas: past, present and future.
Jack Schultz died in 2012.
“This show is designed to be a little different every night,” said Kathleen Dooley, an actress and the show’s musical director. “The Dickens story stays consistent, but the storytelling by the gypsies takes on a life of its own each night.”
Jackson Schultz agrees.
“This version of the show is so satisfying because of the framework Dad provided by including these pirates and gypsies as the storytellers,” said the 28-year-old Jackson.
Heidi Schultz, 27, Jackson’s younger sister, finds more depth to the show.
“For me, the satisfaction is in presenting a bit darker version of ‘A Christmas Carol,'” said Heidi Schultz, who in addition to performing in the show is the show’s assistant director. “I recently read the book and realized that Dad didn’t stray away from what Dickens wrote when it came to the dialogue. Most versions try to lighten up the story, but Dad stuck to what was given and decided to add an interesting twist to it. People rarely see that.”
As the show’s musical director, Dooley appreciates Jack Schultz’s music and lyrics.
“Jack’s songs are meant to not only drive the action forward, but to give the audience an insight into the characters’ hearts,” Dooley said. “While his lyrics are witty and complex, his music is purposefully very straightforward to keep the listener absorbed in the character’s story, such as when Scrooge sings about his departed partner, ‘Old Jacob Marley.'”
Sherry Winchester Schultz, Jack’s widow, has directed The Riverfront Playhouse’s version of “A Christmas Carol” for the 24 years it has been in existence. She also has performed as Mrs. Cratchit for 24 years. Winchester Schultz estimates about 80 percent of the cast returns from one year to the next.
“Kathleen and I are the only ones who have played the same roles all 24 years,” Winchester Schultz said. “Kathleen’s husband, Shawn Dooley, as well as Jackson and Heidi, have been in the show for 23 years. Our technical director, Gene Scheffler, has also been onboard all 24 years. He’s the guy responsible for the amazing, incredibly-effective lighting, as well as reconstructing the two magic boxes that we use as the only pieces of actual scenery. The rest is all lighting, props and solid acting.”
Jackson Schultz sees another aspect that indicates a successful show.
“Laughter,” he said. “Before each show, before we’d go on stage, my dad used to say to the cast, ‘Make me laugh.’ If we’re able to make an audience, and each other, laugh every night after nearly a quarter century of doing this show, then I think we’ve done a good job.”
Randall G. Mielke is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
‘A Christmas Carol’
When: Dec. 8-17
Where: Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 South Water Street Mall, Aurora
Tickets: $15-$17
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www.riverfrontplayhouse.com