Small Pond Productions Presents "A Classic Christmas Jubilee 2024"

In their 20th season, Small Pond Productions presents "A Classic Christmas Jubilee 2024," directed by Traci Booth, assistant directed by Ren Doyle, with music directed by Walt Sayre. The annual holiday show includes the Jubilee — a music program — and Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," presented as a 1940s radio performance like an old-time radio show. This includes original music by Jon Ripley O'Brien which highlights the story and will be performed by Walt Sayre. The cast includes: Ray Mahoney as Ebenezer Scrooge; John Sansone as Bob Cratchett; Matt Axsom as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Tara Gillard as the Ghost of Christmas Past; and Jeannie Donohoe as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Small Pond co-founder Traci Booth narrates and directs "A Christmas Carol" and directs the Jubilee. Booth also does all the costuming. Traci's husband, Richard, plays Marley and he designed and built the set with cast member assistance. Other cast members include: Barb Andrews, David Chase, Rich Clough, Ren Doyle, Zoe Ferrin, Maya Fisher, Sarah Flower, Oliver Gillard, Bryan Hebert, Emma Keating, Sonia Kibbee, Sarah Manning, Lisa Perreault, John Sansone, Cassandra Schmitt, Casey Volikas and Deb Zilske. The Keene Sentinel spoke with Traci Booth, of Swanzey, to talk about this year's production, how Small Pond started and what she hopes the audience will take away from the shows. Here's an excerpt of the conversation: V.C.: This is the 20th season of Small Pond Productions. What is the format for this particular production? What is the age range of the performers? T.B.: We're going into our 20th season with Small Pond, and we've had 46 shows to date. I created a particular format for this show: the Jubilee is the first half of the show and it's a classic Christmas concert. My aunt was my mentor in theatre, and she was a music teacher. When I was a kid, we would go to her school concerts, so we created something similar to that. The men are in white shirts, black slacks and red ties and the women are in beautiful black dresses. The performers' age range is seven to 85 years old. Everyone is local. We are a non-profit so everything we earn goes back into our next shows. V.C.: How did you start Small Pond Productions? T.B.: This is a good story. About 20 years ago Liz Sumner and I were sitting around at Starbucks and talking about what would be the perfect theater company. After about three weeks, I looked at her and said, "This is probably how you start a theater company." The first show was "Neon Coconut," a musical written by Liz's husband Michael Cohen, who is an amazing musician. So, a theater company was born. We have a board of seven people and we're a working board; we work the entire show. We do it all with the help of amazing casts! V.C.: How long do you rehearse a show like this? T.B.: A non-musical is rehearsed for six to eight weeks. This one is a combo of music and a straight play, so we rehearsed it for about six weeks. V.C.: Is the Community House of Marlborough your forever home? T.B.: Yes! It was originally a church and it's a space that we rent. We've always done our productions there. We have very large crowds — capacity is 120 — and oftentimes we sell out. V.C.: What should the audience expect from this year's Classic Christmas Jubilee? T.B.: We only do the Christmas show for one week. The first act is the classic Jubilee and the second act is "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. This is our 9th time performing "A Christmas Carol." We created our own libretto. The neat thing about this show is that back in 2008 (our first year we presented it) we had a massive snow and ice storm. The power was out all week, but the Marlborough meeting house was one of the only places that had power. We invited all the linemen and had them come and watch the show. It was very emotional. Channel 8 came and recorded the show that year and they broadcasted it for years for several years every Christmas Eve. V.C.: What is the significance of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"? T.B.: "A Christmas Carol" is about Ebenezer Scrooge. It's a story of a very troubled and bitter man who had issues with his father. He was a money-grubbing kind of guy and on Christmas Eve he is visited from three spirits who show him Christmas past, present and future, to show him what his life will be. He is redeemed in the end, and it is just a wonderful show. V.C.: What is the show format like? T.B.: It's like an old-time radio show. It's a condensed version in 40 minutes. All sound effects are done by hand by Ren Doyle in the old style of Foley with accompaniment by Walt Sayre. The actors read the characters. Our sound effects are incredible. We wanted to do something fresh. V.C.: Why is this story still relevant today? T.B.: It never ages, if you know the history of it. Dickens almost went to the poor house and to prison because the story didn't sell much until later in his life. It was a story of redemption and I think that story is as relevant today as it was then. No one is beyond redemption. It speaks to me. I remember when I was a child at Christmas my favorite show to watch was Mr. Magoo's Scrooge. I loved that show and every time I got a chance to watch it I did: the story of redemption. This man is so despicable and so heartless and he doesn't care about human kind; when he is finally redeemed it is so joyous. V.C.: Tell me about the music score? T.B.: Jon Ripley O'Brien, a Dickens scholar, saw that first Christmas Eve production on Channel 8 which inspired him to write the musical score to go along with the libretto. And we've dedicated this show to him this year. V.C.: Is there anything else you'd like to add? T.B.: We will have a concession stand offering refreshments, and at intermission Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf and a reindeer will make an appearance. While we're setting up for the second act, audience members can take pictures with Santa. Small Pond is a family type theater company. All of our cast members return for many shows. They are called "Small Ponders". We have about 200 alumni at this point. My friend Liz and I never dreamt that it would become this. I'm so thrilled that it has! DETAILS Small Pond Productions presents "A Classic Christmas Jubilee 2024" at the Community House of Marlborough, 160 Main St., Route 101, in Marlborough, on Dec. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14 and 15 at 2 p.m. Suitable for the whole family. Tickets are $20 General, $15 Seniors/Students. Don't wait as tickets go fast; call the ticket line at 603-242-2314. Reservations are highly suggested, because it sells out quick. Pay by cash or check at the door. No credit cards. If you require special seating arrangements, be sure to mention it when you call, otherwise, it's first-come first-serve for seating. For more information, visit Small Pond Productions Facebook page or their website www.smallpondpresents.org.