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The Kincardine Theatre Guild has been rehearsing for a month already for its production of "A Christmas Carol" which opens Nov. 18.

Featuring a 71-member cast, the largest in the guild's history, and a crew of 30-40 people, the show is a family affair for some and an acting debut for others.

The McTiernan family of Kincardine has five members in the cast, including Tim, 13, who plays Scrooge as a young boy. The Grade 8 student has never performed on stage and never realized how much pressure the actors are under when they walk out there.

"You're looking down at a whole bunch of people and you're hoping you do the right job," he says.

Tim likes the role he has because he helps the audience see that Scrooge has a soft side. He is enjoying the experience so far and wants to try out again next year.

Joining him on stage are his sisters, Katie and Laura, his brother, Andrew, and his mother, Gayle.

Nine-year-old Liam Chapleau is portraying Tiny Tim in his acting debut. His sister, Alexandra, had the starring role in "Annie" last year and his mother, Marla, was in the same play, so they encouraged Liam to try out.

While he is excited about the part, he is also a little nervous. He has participated in drama camp before, been in church plays, and is part of the Pine River Cherubs choir.

Chris Mercanti is playing the Ghost of Christmas Present.

"I actually wasn't going to try out," he admits. "I was dropping my daughter, Robyn, off so she could audition, and I was asked to try out because they needed more men in the cast. I auditioned and the next thing I know I'm up there singing on stage wearing this funny robe."

Mercanti has no acting experience but says he always wanted to try it. He is more comfortable with the singing than trying to remember where he is supposed to stand and move as outlined by the director.

However, he said the theatre guild is awesome to work with and he is having a great time. "It's demanding but I enjoy it."

Mercanti is married with three children, lives in Kincardine and works for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) on the restart project at the Bruce Nuclear site.

He ran a marathon in Toronto on Sept. 26 and then came directly from that to rehearsals for the play.

Kylee Curry, 17, of Kincardine is playing the part of Miss Goodheart. The Grade 12 student at Kincardine District Secondary School is also new to the theatre guild.

"It's a bit nerve-wracking being on stage," she says, "but we're surrounded with really good people and that helps."

While she doesn't have a lot of acting experience, her strength is in her singing and she wants to do a good job in the show.

"I'm a little scared that I'll forget my lines but I'm also really excited about performing," she says. "My mom and my family are going to be in the audience opening night and I know it's going to be great."

Andrew White is new to the theatre guild and has taken on the part of the poulterer.

"I thought it would be fun," he says, "and it is, but it's also a lot of work. You don't realize how much work it takes to put this all together."

While he doesn't have a big part, White is putting a lot of effort into it. "My major role is selling the turkey to Scrooge," he says, "but I'll certainly be sweating under this scarf on opening night."

The 31-year-old veterinarian and his wife, Heather, who is also a veterinarian, operate Queen Street Vet Clinic, Gordon Lake Vet Clinic, and Pine River Mobile Vet. They have two children.

The assistant poulterer is nine-year-old J.D. Flood of Inverhuron. The Grade 4 student at Kincardine Township-Tiverton Public School is excited to be involved in the play and looks forward to doing his part as the boy who runs and gets the turkey for Scrooge.

Brett Nickel of Walkerton is another new face to the theatre guild. The 23-year-old plays the part of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

This is his first time acting and while he's having fun, he finds it's a lot more work than he ever anticipated.

"I never appreciated how much work goes into a show until now," he says.

He has watched his mother, Frankie Renwick, perform in theatre guild plays and decided to try out. Renwick also has a role in this show.

"It's a great experience," says Nickel. "I'm really enjoying it.

He is the manager of Phoenix Street Wear in Walkerton and co-manager of the Phoenix Street Wear store in Kincardine.

"A Christmas Carol" is being directed by Sandy Blackwood and Shirley Bieman who is also directing the music, while Blackwood takes care of choreography. Mhairi Walsh is producer, and Joan Mowle is pianist, with Chris Lazarenko on violin.

Bieman says there are 35 young people, under the age of 20 in the cast. Of those, 26 are new to the guild.

"Everything's coming together well," she says. "The cast is all amiable, with the seasoned veterans showing the ropes to the new people."

This is the third year the theatre guild has produced "A Christmas Carol." The first was in 1985 when Jim Peddie played Scrooge; then in 1996 when Reg Daze played Scrooge. This time, Scott Marshall is playing Scrooge.

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Thursday, October 07, 2010