It’s a familiar tale — the one about Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and it’s certainly one Calgarians know well. For nearly four decades, Theatre Calgary has presented annual renditions of A Christmas Carol, making it a Calgary holiday tradition and a staple of the city’s artistic landscape.
This year, the play will run from November 29 to December 29, inviting Calgarians to gather for a heartwarming tale that reminds all of us of the power of kindness and that it is never too late to change.
From a supporting role to a leading actor
In 1993, Doug McKeag was introduced to the joys of A Christmas Carol when he played the role of one of the party guests, Topper, among other smaller roles. “When I did it for the first time as a reasonably young actor, I have to admit that I wasn’t that much into Christmas,” he says. “But when I got into that show, it really changed my mind about Christmas, the spirit around it and the wonder of getting people together to celebrate something in the middle of the darkest part of the year.”
As a young ambitious actor, McKeag admits to having dreamed of playing a role like Scrooge. So last year, when he first landed the part after Stephen Hair’s 27-year run, it was a dream come true. Now a seasoned actor, McKeag will take the stage this year performing the role of Scrooge for the second time, in his 11th production of A Christmas Carol.
Strengthening the city
Extremely entertaining and well performed, the show is a great watch complete with smoke, flashing lights and theatrics, but it’s the meaningful storyline that McKeag sees as the most important element.
“It’s such a compelling message that the most curmudgeonly person can be changed if challenged and given a reason to change,” says McKeag. “Calgary is such a wonderful place to plant a message of kindness. It’s a reminder of what’s important in life.”
Every year, the production encourages audience members, both new and returning, to go forward with generosity in their hearts. In 1997, a cast member started a tradition of collecting donations for the food bank after the show, and over the years, Theatre Calgary has raised more than $2.3 million for the Calgary Food Bank.
“If there’s any way of quantifying that people’s hearts have grown three sizes after the show, I think more than two million bucks is not a bad indicator,” says McKeag. “I want to change hearts and minds with this performance and this production.”
A Christmas Carol has been as impactful backstage as it has been in the community. Whether it is an audience member watching a play for the first time or a young actor in their first production, A Christmas Carol acts as a fantastic entry point into the arts.
As a recurring Calgary production, several local actors come back year after year to grow and polish their craft, like McKeag, joining the jovial comradery and collaboration that happens backstage. “Every year, when you walk into that rehearsal hall to begin the process, it is just a joy. There’s so much love in that room and so much heart,” affirms McKeag.
And Calgary as a whole is richer because of this heart and passion in the arts. After all, as McKeag says: “The theatre is where magic is created.”
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit theatrecalgary.com/shows.
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