courtesy photo
Willem Lange performs his reading of “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at 7 p.m. on December 19 at Lost Nation Theater.
MONTPELIER – Lost Nation Theater and Willem Lange team up one more time as Lange performs his reading of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, onstage at Lost Nation Theater (LNT), protected by our state-of-the-art Synexis Air Purification
Emmy-Winner Lange has been performing his reading of Dickens’ Christmas Carol every year since 1975. He loves the story and that love shines through in his reading. “Christmas is my time to howl,” he says.
Lange first heard the rendition he performs – Charles Dickens’ original prompter script used for his 1867-68 tour of America – in 1953. His college professor, Dr Lean, found the script in a used bookstore in Boston (in 1903) and started performing it. By the time Willem heard him “Lean was already “nearing the end of his string, and I remember thinking, ‘Who’s going to take over when he’s gone?”
After mulling it over for decades, Lange (author, storyteller, carpenter and TV host) finally decided he would.
“In 1975, I sat down with my typewriter and an LP recording of Professor Lean’s performance, and typed out the script. That took some patience! My wife and I invited friends over; I borrowed a set of tails; and we held the first session in our living room.”
Forty-eight years later, Lost Nation Theater will keep Lange’s streak going as he closes in on No. 50.
Dickens “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story,” published in 1843, turned Ebenezer Scrooge into a household name. Now nearly 200 years, 40 language translations and countless film, musical and stage adaptations later.
Lange says, “Dickens had the gift of finding the sensitive spot in each of us – like scratching a puppy in a particular place and making it wave a hind leg. I love the moment when Scrooge, emerging from the horror of seeing his plundered corpse in his own bedroom, wakes to the joy of his new-born self, tries tentatively to laugh, and the amused audience laughs along with him.”
Willem donates his fee to The Haven (a shelter in the Upper Valley). LNT’s donating a percentage of proceeds locally, to Montpelier’s Food Pantry and The Good Samaritan.
Masks are preferred and strongly recommended for in person attendance, but not required. The Flood made LNT/City Hall’s elevator inoperable, requiring climbing stairs to attend in person. We appreciate your understanding during this emergency situation. Tickets are available on-line; by phone (Tuesday through Friday, 11a.m. to 3 p.m.) or in person at the door as available. lostnationtheater.org, phone (802) 229-0492, email [email protected]
