Dickens' story brings a message we all need to hear

During the holiday season we appropriately focus on traditions, community and family. For many Minnesotans, seeing a holiday show like "A Christmas Carol" is as much a part of the season as a holiday feast or exchanging presents.

As an actor, I'm no different. My tradition is being a part of the company of "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie with my community of actors.

I moved to Minneapolis in November of 1981 to appear in "Candide" at the Guthrie, and the first show I ever saw there was "A Christmas Carol." The next year I was offered a season contract that included "A Christmas Carol," and over the last 25 years I've played multiple roles in the show and directed four productions. My love for Dickens' story and message is just as strong today as it was that first year.

I was thinking about what it means to do a show like this year after year, often with the same company of actors, and the word "Gotcha" came to mind. When you tell a story on stage, you want to pull people into the story. There's a point where, as an actor, you can say, "Gotcha" -- when you know the audience is going along for the ride. That happens with "A Christmas Carol," night after night.

But "gotcha" is also an expression for offering support: I'm with you, I'll catch you. That's what it's like to work with a group of actors whom you know so well. During the year we all go about our lives and then each year we come back to this story and each other, and it's home. Things have happened in our lives together that we're able to take with us and use, things that are unique to us as a group. We've moved on but we have not forgotten our past. We know each other well, and we communicate in a kind of shorthand. We are willing to go with each other, and grow with each other.

When I first appeared in this show I was around 40; now I'm 67. Nothing highlights the need for growth and change like Dickens' story -- the lesson that how you live your life and what you contribute is how you'll be remembered. That lesson is an important one for all of us, and certainly for Scrooge.

That times are tough only strengthens our bond. In such times people reach out to one another, realizing that we're all in it together and that we need to extend ourselves to one another. We share the hard times, and we can share spirit of giving. It's about giving of yourself, whether monetarily, emotionally or spiritually. "A Christmas Carol" speaks to that.

Perhaps my son Michael learned some of that spirit of giving and community from his experiences in the show. He was in "A Christmas Carol" from age 5 to 12, with my wife, Claudia Wilkens, and me. Michael is grown now, and works for a bank in debt collection. It's a testament to his character that he can be understanding of desperate people in extreme situations and that he works for a bank that empowers him to work with such people and help them. (He's currently appearing for the third season as Scrooge in "A Klingon Christmas Carol," which is a wonderful twist on tradition.)

As Michael's theatrical career develops I hope for him what I hope for everyone -- the "gotcha" moments. The knowledge that we're in this together and that someone will be there to catch us if we fall, to support us if we need it. It's a lesson we need to return to each year.

Richard Ooms is a Twin Cities actor.

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