December 22, 2024
A packed theater cheered and applauded as the curtain fell on the final performance of A Christmas Carol, based on the story by Charles Dickens, on Sunday, December 22, 2024. This year marked the 48th year that Children’s Theater of Madison (CTM) has presented this classic tale.
Children’s Theater of Madison is committed to diversity in representation on the stage. As a theater serving families in the Madison community, it is critical that all families see themselves reflected. For the past four years, La Shawn Banks has played the role of Scrooge—a man who has lost his joy for the community. A Buffalo, New York native, Banks has performed in many theaters in the Midwest and across the country including American Players Theater and the Milwaukee Chamber Theater. CTM Artistic Director Brian Cowing explains that in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge’s character is transformed by the community and the “spirits” who visit Scrooge in the night. Cowing tells how these spirits pull Scrooge “out of the darkness and into the light to be a person of the community.” Community and belonging are at the core of this story.
Laura McMillan, who portrays Lucy—the wife of Scrooge’s nephew in the show, along with other ensemble roles, is also the Education Manager for CTM. She is a proud Black/Lebanese Queer woman and emphasizes the value of diversity in theater, “Representation is the most important thing. Growing up not seeing yourself onstage in these stories that return year after year can be discouraging. Being able to be that representation and light for the youth of our community is inspiring.” McMillan goes on to say, “It’s been amazing to be a part of a beautiful cast. We all come with our own experiences, to take such a traditional story and play it in our truth is something truly unique that we bring to Madison. It has been an honor to share it with them.”
In the dual role of the Edwin the lamplighter and the Spirit of Christmas Present is the marvelous Ogunde Tremayne. Tremayne, talking about his character, the Spirit of Christmas Present, explains, “It’s in the name itself—Christmas Present—being where you are in the moment, and finding joy and happiness in that.” Tremayne’s character helps the narrow-minded Scrooge see life through a wider lens.
A Christmas Carol is a story of healing and second chances, and how it is never too late to make changes. It is a story of redemption and hope, as important in our modern time as it was in the time of Dickens. This production is also about offering windows and mirrors to the audiences who come to share in this story. In seeing this classic story in a new way performed by a diverse cast, audience members are given a window to a new view and perspective. The diverse cast also allows audience members to see themselves reflected from the stage. That reflection helps all families feel that they belong and are valued in and by the community.
The adult actors also inspire many of the youth actors of color in the production. Briah Carli Walker is an 8th grader at Oregon Middle School and portrayed the role of Scrooge’s sister, Fan. Walker shared, “The experience of performing in this play took Christmas Joy to a whole other level. I feel honored to be a part of something so iconic.” Blithe Matthews, another youth actor in the show, is a 6th grader at Toki Middle school and has performed in several CTM productions including The Wiz, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and A Christmas Carol. These young actors performed alongside the adult actors in ten public performances and three school matinee performances. These school matinees conclude with a talk-back in which students in the audience can ask the cast questions about the show.
A Christmas Carol has been a family tradition for 48 years. The holidays are a special time for families to celebrate being there for one another together with the community.
Be sure to see CTM’s next production Cinderella, February 14-23, 2025, Capitol Theater at Overture Center. For more information go to ctmtheater.org.
