A Christmas Tradition

There’s only one show currently in the TPAC that is older than the building itself. Can you guess? Tulsa has been enjoying American Theatre Company’s “A Christmas Carol” since 1976. The TPAC opened a year later in 1977.

Most know the original story, written by Charles Dickens, of Scrooge and his humbuggery. The three spirits of Christmases past, present and yet to come help him find the reason for the season and transform himself into a kinder, happier man. In 1976, Robert Odle and Rick Averill adapted the classic story into a stage musical. In the first year of its existence, the show was presented at the Philbrook Museum. At the time, the performance space was a converted garage.

The show was a hit! It brought in healthy audiences and was well liked. The next year, the TPAC officially opened its doors, but the brand-new John H. Williams Theatre was already taken, so the show was presented in the Liddy Doenges Theatre, then known as Studio One Theatre. That year, a local newspaper reviewer suggested the show should become a Tulsa tradition.

The following year, the show moved to the John H. Williams Theatre, where it has taken place every year since — except for last year — becoming the tradition it was predicted to be. Since then, it has done a stint in the Tulsa Theater, and during the pandemic, it was presented in movie format at the Admiral Twin Drive-In.

This year, the production will make its triumphant return to its long-time home in the TPAC. The beautiful set has gotten a facelift, the fabulous period costumes pulled from wherever they’ve been stored for far too long, and many new faces have joined the longstanding tradition. But this year will feel markedly different for all involved. ATC’s “A Christmas Carol” has lost two crucial family members.

Rick Averill, half of the team responsible for bringing this magical show to life, has been lost since the last time the show took the stage. His incredible talents gave the show its music. Robert Odle, Averill’s creative partner, adapted the story to the stage and wrote many of the lyrics that accompany Averill’s music. The show holds a special pace in Odle’s heart, largely for that reason:

“Rick was a musical genius, whom I collaborated with on several musicals. I have always loved the story of

The ensemble from “A Christmas Carol” past.

‘A Christmas Carol.’ … It is a warm, uplifting, and amusing story as Dickens wrote it, and I think the script embodies that spirit. It is also dear to my heart because it is a musical, not a play with music. Many theaters around the country do versions of the story and include music, but our version is written as a true musical.”

Additionally, long-time director Ed Durnal has also passed since the last presentation of the show. Durnal had directed the production for over 15 years, finding ways to keep the tradition fresh and rejuvenated each year.

This year, the show takes the stage without the direction of Durnal, but the new director, Laurie Carlson, learned from Durnal himself and is definitely up for the job:

“I worked with Ed Durnal for 10 years on this show, the last several as production stage manager, which means we were pretty much joined at the hip from October through December. We had many conversations about the evolution of the show since his return to Tulsa and the elements that make it so consistently beautiful and how we can continue to keep it fresh. Because of those conversations, I feel that everything I do now is still inspired by Ed and his unwavering love for this production. It’s definitely a bittersweet experience this year, and I do spend a little time each night alone before I dive in with the cast to get my emotions in check.”

Though the production is missing long-time pieces of the magic, along with Carlson, another familiar face is returning. Karl Krause has been a part of the cast since 1977, missing just the opening year:

“I was introduced to a very young theatre group called American Theatre Company in 1977 by a high school acquaintance Danny Roberts, who was the brother of Kitty Roberts, the producing director. I showed up at auditions at the beautiful Mayo Hotel in the Crystal Ballroom. I read for and landed the role of Scrooge’s old business partner Jacob Marley. It was the first of many parts I’d play with ATC, and in 1979 I became an official member of ATC’s professional staff. We were building sets by day, doing shows by night.”

After a few years of playing Marley, Krause took on the role of Scrooge — quite a character jump for a young man in his mid-twenties: “And here I still am. I don’t have to work nearly as hard on the age makeup and mannerisms now ... .”

All three of those quoted above mentioned that the cast and crew of the show have become like family. According to Krause: “We are one big extended family with hundreds of members. If there is one thing that keeps me and several others coming back year after year, it is the deep sense of love and family that this production brings to life for so many.”

He continues: “This last year was a devastating year for many individuals and businesses, and live entertainment companies and venues have suffered greatly due to the many shutdowns, closings and isolation of the recent pandemic. We lost Rick Averill this year, along with Ed Durnal, who had directed the show for many years.

“These two dear friends and very important members of the ATC family will be truly missed and lovingly remembered and honored this year, next year and every time we do this show.”

What better way to have a life celebrated and remembered than through one of Tulsa’s favorite holiday traditions? The art and passion brought to Tulsa by these two artists will surely be remembered and celebrated for quite some time.

Come see this tradition for yourself! It will be shown throughout much of the month of December in the TPAC’s John H. Williams Theatre, and it will also do a short stint at the Admiral Twin Drive-in for those who wish for a more distanced viewing.

Karl Krause as Jacob Marley

Working on the first presentation in 1776.

A Christmas Carol

Presented by American Theatre Company December 10-11, 15-18, 20-23 at 7:30 p.m. December 12, 19 at 2 p.m. JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE