Another Story Must Begin.
Last year was our final year producing A Christmas Carol, at least for a while.
It has been a beautiful eight years with Scrooge, Cratchit, and the Ghosts, but it was time for a change.
Sometimes, when we experience change, we tend to villainize it. We may say something like, "Christmas Carol was bad. The cast was bad. Tickets weren't sold, and so we are canceling it." I guess we tend to find fault with a thing because then we have a valid reason for going through change. Change is hard, so we find something wrong to make it easier.
But the truth is, none of those things were true. The story of A Christmas Carol is not just a play; it's a part of us. Charles Dickens's story of Ebenezer Scrooge is a testament to the power of redemption and how one person can change his world for good. Over the years, we had eight amazing casts, many of whom are still with us and have become friends and family. Tickets sold out every year. It is one of my favorite stories to write and adapt. And still, it was time for a change.
While considering which story to tell next, we came across numerous Christmas scripts. However, an old movie from my childhood called The Fourth Wise Man kept coming to mind. The film was released in 1985, and after researching its origins, I learned that it was based on a short story written by Henry van Dyke in 1895.
The story is about Artaban, a wise and wealthy magi, who travels through ancient Persia, Jerusalem, and the vast deserts in between. When he sees a brilliant star in the sky, he believes it heralds the birth of a great king. He sets out to join his fellow Magi in presenting treasures to the King. They bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Artaban brings three precious gifts — a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl. However, his journey is filled with unexpected delays as he encounters people desperately needing help.
The Other Wise Man is a powerful story about the human spirit and how we fulfill our destinies in surprising ways. It's a story of hope, redemption, and the light that guides us, reminding us that the journey, with all its challenges, is where we find our deepest fulfillment.
Will The Other Wise Man be the next Christmas Carol at The Seeing Place? That remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: it was time for a change. As Jean Valjean from LES MIS so aptly put it, "Another story must begin." This new production promises to bring something fresh, original, and exciting to our stage.
We'd love for you to join us as the FIRST CAST to bring this story to life. Auditions are being held on Monday, September 23rd, at 6:30 p.m. To be in an inaugural cast is something special. We hope you will come on out and take this journey with us. For more information about auditions, CLICK HERE or call 910-548-6323.