By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — The Somers Point Unique Experiences Club once again presented its zany take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday evening on the porches of three homes and a business in the city’s historic district.
The group hires the Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company of Stratford, N.J., each year to put on the play, complete with holiday music, sets reminiscent of 19th-century London and special effects, tied together by a high-spirited cast. Characters include Ebenezer Scrooge, a crotchety old miser, and employee Bob Cratchit, who wants Christmas off with pay to celebrate with his family. The Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come all make an appearance in comically appropriate costumes. Others include Scrooge’s maid, Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family.
The performance began at 37 Somers Ave., with the Route 52 causeway in the background. People started gathering about 10 minutes before the production on a cold and windy night.
The second act unfolds around the corner at 829 Bay Ave., the location of Great Bay Gallery.
Act three plays out at 21 Delaware Ave., across the street from Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar at 900 Shore Road, where refreshments were served after the final act on its balcony overlooking the street.
Ryan Long, owner of the company, said it was their 18th year of putting on the show in Somers Point, noting they began in 2000 but inclement weather canceled a couple of performances.
“It’s one of our favorite shows that we do. It’s a real tradition for the actors. All of the actors are like ‘We can’t wait to do that one.’ It’s the one that everybody wants to be on,” Long said.
The cast includes four actors plus Long’s son, Jerry, who plays Tiny Tim.
“It’s the typical Scrooge show except that it’s a little bit more zany, a little bit more humor in there, so you will see a couple of jokes thrown in there but for the most part it’s kind of family-friendly ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Long said, noting the crowd usually numbers about 50 people.
“Last year was the biggest year we had in a long time, covering the street three to four houses in each direction,” Long said.
Nick Regine, a member of the club, said they had a good turnout.
“It maybe a little off from past years but we had about 40 people there,” he said. “It was as corny as it always is, all tongue-in-cheek and just a way to have fun and celebrate the holiday.”
Long said the troupe will be performing at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, at Historic Smithville, where they offer a bigger version of the Somers Point show.
“There are lots of kids singing Christmas carols and whatnot,” he said, noting it is free to the public.
Long said it’s been a tough year for theater due to restrictions association with the COVID-19 pandemic but the outside performances let his company get some work.
“It’s nice, especially with the COVID right now because it’s outside, so maybe it’s a little chilly but you don’t have to worry about social distancing as much,” he said. “We usually do about 130 shows per year but this year it’s way off. If we did 50 — obviously it’s been a very difficult year for everybody — but most theater companies have been completely shut down doing nothing, so the fact that we can drive around and do shows in many different places gives us an advantage that way.”
Long has ties to the area. In the 1990s, his parents owned Elaine’s Dinner Theatre in Cape May, where he worked.
Somers Point resident Jim Osler and his wife, Devon, and son, Jimmy, 5, were among those arriving early for the show.
“We wanted to check it out. We thought it would be festive. We were at the tree lighting and thought we would come here too and see what’s going on,” Osler said.
City residents Danielle Bruno, Dave Skovron, Trish Skovron and David Skovron were seeing the show for the third time.
“I like the actors and the play,” Trish Skovron said, noting it’s part of their holiday tradition now.
Jill Ojserkis, president of the Mainland Regional High School Board of Education, said she heard about the performance from a friend.
“I think it’s wonderful to have theater and it’s so local. The cast is funny, inventive and certainly talented,” she said.
