BEMIDJI — Audiences will see many familiar faces when they attend the Bemidji Community Theater’s production of “Scrooge: The Musical,” which opens Friday, Nov. 15. They also will get their first glimpse at the lead character, played by recent Bemidji area transplant Norman Eick.
The 66-year-old former upstate New Yorker has plenty of theater experience, both as an actor, director and stage manager. He also has his own Santa Claus suit and a real beard, which made him a popular holiday character back East.
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“When he auditioned for us, we knew that we had one of about three different roles he could play,” director Mary Knox-Johnson said. “Whether he was going to be Ebenezer Scrooge or Christmas Present or Jacob Marley, we knew he would be wonderful. He's doing a great job as our Scrooge.”
Eick says he is excited and a little anxious to get back on stage in his new community.
“I hope I'm doing the role some justice,” he said. “I'm working hard on it. There's a lot to learn. It's been about four years since I've had a lead role on stage, so I'm rusty. But I've got the lines and the songs down pretty well now, which is good because we open on Friday.”
The musical also features Mark Christensen as Jacob Marley, Mary Anderson as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Dennis Crow as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Kay Sanders as the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, Paul Conklin as Bob Cratchit, Aria Robertson as Isabel and Elijah Wood as Tiny Tim.
“It is a very large ensemble cast, which is nice,” Eick said. “I like ensemble work because everybody plays off of everybody. It just makes the play really interesting when you have so many different characters all interacting through the whole thing. I like the role of Scrooge because anytime you get to play a villain it's fun.”
An exciting new addition for theater-goers is the 91 new connected theater-style seats and extra riser that has been added to the BCT Performing Arts Center to greatly improve its seating options. The seats were donated by Bemidji State from the university's Thompson Recital Hall, according to Knox-Johnson.
The musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Nov. 15, 16, 22 and 23, and at 2 p.m. on Nov. 17 and 24 at the BCT Performing Arts Center, 316 Beltrami Ave. NW.
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Tickets may be purchased at Ken K. Thompson Jewelry, McKenzie Place, myBemidji, online at bemidjicommunitytheater.com or at the door pending availability. Prices are $6 for children, $12 for seniors and $15 for adults.
Theatergoers also can get into the spirit of Christmas by entering the BCT’s Ugly Sweater Contest while they’re at the show. Have your photo taken at the holiday backdrop during any performance of “Scrooge: The Musical” for a $5 entry fee per photo. There is no limit on the number of people per photo.
Prizes will be awarded for the three most popular photos as voted on Facebook and Instagram, but you must tag Bemidji Community Theater in the post.
Funds earned help support a youth tour to the Twin Cities during the production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid Jr.” in the spring of 2025. Handmade Victorian-styled Christmas ornaments made by the cast and crew also will be on sale in the lobby with other items.
In addition, if you have new or slightly used children’s books to donate for the Community Theater’s Project Literacy program, drop them off at the theater, Four Pines Bookstore or Loon Country Arts Gallery during open business hours. Each child in attendance at the production will receive a free book.
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