Riverton Theatre

The members of the town put on a performance to be remembered. I should know. I sat in the audience that year and fell deeply in love with the story of miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge. While the play was the same story as the Mickey Mouse version that I had seen, it brought the story to life for me like poor Mickey never could. I saw Christmas in a slightly different light.

While to the eight year old that I was, it was still all about Santa, singing Christmas carols, school parties, and counting the houses with Christmas lights on, I also now felt that Christmas time was a “kind, forgiving, charitable time of year”. Instead of only thinking about Santa, that year I also wanted to be exceptionally good, because I too wanted to help save “Tiny Tim” by being good, and I did NOT want a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

The play became a tradition for me, and for the town too, with the first weekend in December being “Christmas in Riverton”. You can catch a ride with Santa in a horse drawn carriage, and see an ice sculpting demonstration. There is a craft fair, holiday shopping, caroling, and there is a wine walk throughout the luminaire lit village.

While the set, the costumes, and even the lighting has been updated, the story has remained true. Every year, I wait excitedly, for the magic that seems to happen with the telling of the tale, and for the spirit of Christmas to awaken in me. That magical weekend, where men and women can be seen walking the quaint village in their Victorian dresses and top hats, and Scrooge is alive again on stage, being given the chance to “remember the Past, live in the Present, and strive for the Future”.

Leaving the show in the Christmas spirit is part of the magic that I love. As is the tradition of leaving with a lovely carol on my lips, and small bag of Christmas cookies in my hand. The theatre not only brings Christmas cheer to the people who come to see it, but they also bring assistance to children and families in the area, by gifting the proceeds from ticket sales to the “Tiny Tim Fund”, a fund set up to help children and families in need. I believe that “Nephew Fred” said it best: “I believe that Christmas has done me good, and shall do me good, and I say God Bless It!”

If you are looking to add an extra bit of sparkle and cheer to your Christmas season this year, or to start a new and wonderful family tradition, we invite to come watch the Riverton Theatre’s telling of “A Christmas Carol”, on stage.