Cratchit if you can
The air is cool and crisp. The leaves are turning bright and not so bright colors. Coffee houses are making a killing on pumpkin spiced concoctions. You know what time of year it is, right? That’s right, it’s Cratchit time; the time when all thoughts turn to Bob Cratchit. Will he appear on stage this year, or not? Can he still carry Tiny Tim on his shoulder? Will he stay working for Scrooge? Of course he will, he’s seen the movie.
I’ve played Bob Cratchit many times. In fact I’ve played all things Cratchit on QCT’s main stage since 1993. I’ve played Bob too young and too old. I’ve played him with Scrooge on his left and Scrooge on his right. (no political inferences) I’ve even played him as a song and dance man. Though not one of Bob’s finest moments, he was able to show his kids a different side. Not so Woody Allen, and a little more Russell Crowe. And don’t get me started on his kids. Where have all the Martha’s gone? And the Tim’s? I suppose they all want to be called Timothy now.
Quincy Community will be producing “A Christmas Carol” on December 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and December 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. Auditions for all characters, including Bob Cratchit, will be on October 13th, and 14th. I invite you join us and to be a part of this great classic, directed by QCT’s Artistic Director, Brandon Thomsen. Music direction by Dr. H. Todd Evans, and vocal Direction by Elizabeth Mannhardt.
So, yes, I do know Bob Cratchit. In fact if I could steal a line from the Statler Brother’s tune “The official historian of Shirley Jean Burrell”, I know everything there is to know about Bob Cratchit except where he is right now. In other words, “who’s going to play the role at QCT this year?”