A holiday tradition begins with ‘Scrooge’ at World Under Wonder

Sean Edward Roberts, director of the World Under Wonder theater group, wants to start a new holiday tradition for the community.

He is directing and appearing in a production of the stage adaptation of Leslie Bricusse’s 1970 musical film “Scrooge” in the group’s playhouse, the old Grange Hall they have been renovating, at 5755 Route 5 in Weathersfield.

Performances are Dec. 27, 28, and 29 at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 30. Roberts hopes to repeat the production with basically the same cast for at least the next five years, thus establishing a holiday tradition.

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Theater Company Aims to Create a ‘Community Hub’ in Weathersfield
Sean Roberts bought the grange hall, which sat vacant for 15 years, late last year and is renovating it for a range of activities, from plays and musical performances to library talks, improvisation, community dinners, school events and private parties.

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A holiday tradition begins with ‘Scrooge’ at World Under Wonder By BILL LOCKWOOD Special to the Eagle Times 10 hrs ago 0 'Scrooge' at World Under Wonder' An early rehearsals with the ensemble cast of ‘Scrooge’ in the Weathersfield Grange that serves as the home of World Under Wonder. BILL LOCKWOOD WEATHERSFIELD, Vt. — Sean Edward Roberts, director of the World Under Wonder theater group, wants to start a new holiday tradition for the community. He is directing and appearing in a production of the stage adaptation of Leslie Bricusse’s 1970 musical film “Scrooge” in the group’s playhouse, the old Grange Hall they have been renovating, at 5755 Route 5 in Weathersfield. Performances are Dec. 27, 28, and 29 at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 30. Roberts hopes to repeat the production with basically the same cast for at least the next five years, thus establishing a holiday tradition. The stage version of “Scrooge” premièred in London in 1992 starring Anthony Newley in the well known lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge. The play was revived in 2003 with British song and dance man Tommy Steele in the lead. The movie and the play are both adaptations of the classic story “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens set in the Victorian era that has become a fascination of our holiday celebrations for quite some time. Christmas cards and decorations with a “Dickens” setting have become as much Americana to us as Norman Rockwell. The original story presents a sharp contrast of gloom and happiness. It is set in 1860s London, a time that was, for the most part and for the most people, pretty gloomy and grim. But the poor and downtrodden were brightened by our vision of their Christmas time of cheer and good will to all. In the well known tale the mean spirited Scrooge is visited by a series of ghosts who bring him to a miraculous holiday transformation. The story and its characters of ghosts and the always lovable Tiny Tim is amazingly well known, even if the stage version is not. Roberts says watching the movie version together as a family was a yearly holiday tradition in his home. Last Christmas they watched the film for the first time without his father who passed away in 2017, and this production will be a way for Roberts and his family of remembering him. As to this play establishing a new tradition Roberts, who both directs and plays two roles, says, “It’s been interesting preparing a show that I know will be performed for the next five years. There will be consistency in whose playing what roles, but each year there will be a few changes. We are looking to making this grow each year by bringing new cast into the production.” The family also watched the classic movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” every year as well. Roberts muses that perhaps in year six he will produce a stage version of that as a one time event. Roberts has assembled a very close and enthusiastic cast, a number playing more than one role, and most of whom have experience working with this and other local community theater groups. Neal R Cronce plays Scrooge. He says of the role, “I feel intimidated, but I feel inspired too, because it’s so relevant. I couldn’t have played this role when I was 20. Being 60 I have experienced a lot of loss and can understand him [Scrooge] better.” Cronce most recently played Caiaphas in Main Street Arts’ “Jesus Christ Super Star” last spring, certainly no simple role to be coming from. Also from that production are Roberts himself, Marit Bjerkadal who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, and Kim Johnson, an adult who plays Tiny Tim. Johnson says of her role, “I find it easy playing a child since I am of small stature, and I was sick a lot as a child. So we have something in common.” Rachel Elizabeth comes from the Springfield Players. She is also playing a child as well as a teacher. She says it is her first time in a Christmas play and now she wants to do more in the future. She says, “I like playing a child.” Jeanie Levesque and Samantha Maskell have appeared recently with River Theater Company. A number of others are World Under Wonder “regulars.” Ezra Leonard who plays Scrooge’s former associate Jacob Marley appeared last summer as the Reverend Hale in World Under Wonder’s “The Crucible.” Kelly Blue, who plays Tom Jenkins, sums up a lot of how the cast feels. She says, “I like the story, and I think it’s fun. It’s something between a fairy tale and a morality play, except it’s not boring.” Cronce’s wife Carol Cronce is musical director and provides the accompaniment. Roberts said, “We’re really trying to make this a community venture with a lot of grassroots support.” Cronce echoes his support of that saying, “I love working with Sean because he is building a community.” In that vein World Under Wonder is now actively selling memberships that include access to all of its workshops and productions. Anyone interested in memberships or reservations for “Scrooge” can call (603) 381-3344.