Blown away!!!
That is the best way to describe how I felt after seeing a production at the historic Pollard Theater last night for the first time.
We've lived in Oklahoma now for about 6 months, and the Pollard has been on my radar as a place to visit since I was researching places to live. It just hadn't made it to the top of the list of things to do until yesterday when I attended opening night of A Territorial Christmas Carol. I should have done it much sooner!
The Pollard Theater has a rich history in a town full of rich histories. Guthrie, Oklahoma was the first stop for many, many people with the opening of the Oklahoma Territory during the land run of 1889. The town has embraced its past and brought it into present time. Historic buildings, markers and sites fill the town and form a central core of the downtown area. The theater sits in the middle of all of it.
The Pollard Theater building was built in 1901 of native Oklahoma stone and brick as the Patterson Furniture Store. By 1919, it was beginning its life as an entertainment center when it was purchased and turned into a vaudeville house. Transitioning through as a silent movie theater to "talkies", it eventually was purchased and renovated in 1986 to become the theater it is today.
All this sounds very quaint. Most people would think, "Small town, historic theater, small community theater, perhaps seasonal." How wrong they would be!!!!!!
The Pollard Theater houses an incredible company of year round professionals which offer a diverse menu of six or more plays or musicals each year. Which brings me to the production my family and I saw last night.
I'm told that "A Territorial Christmas Carol" is somewhat of a tradition around here. People wait all year to make this show part of their holiday season and shows sell out. Based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", the story is set in 1889 and transports you back to the time of just after the Oklahoma Land Run, with Scrooge as a unscrupulous real estate/mortgage agent.
The actors in the cast, including James Ong in his 16th year as Scrooge, bring you back with them to experience the familiar story. It is easy to immerse yourself , especially after walking the streets and seeing many of the same sights that the characters would have seen. There is never a feeling of small town theater during this production. The cast and crew are thoroughly professional and could easily perform this on a much larger venue. The set and lighting take you from from scene to scene, inside and out, room to room, all making full use of the available stage space.
To be honest, I was most impressed with the acting, most notable 'Charlie' Dickens, played by Timothy Stewart, and Scrooge, played by afore mentioned James Ong. Stewart manages to add a Edwardian feel while never leaving the territorial times. Keeping his character slightly separate while completely being part of the story, he provides the link between the classic favorite and my new favorite version of A Christmas Carol. James Ong, quite simply, is Scrooge. I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel meeting Mr.Ong as a civilian. After all, Scrooge is not anyone's favorite person, at least for the first part of the show. And Ong makes curmudgeon look awfully natural. (I'm told that out of character he is extremely nice)
I now know why this show is a part of so many people's holiday traditions. It will be part of our family's, too.
I heartily recommend a visit to The Pollard Theater.
SeeThe Pollard Theater for more information and performance details.
