Play brings classic to life

Nov. 23, 2006

By LEILA KHEIRY

Frontiersman

The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will haunt the soon-to-be-renamed Valley Bistro starting Friday with the opening performance of the Triumvirate Theatre's dinner theater production of &#8220A Christmas Carol.”

The play is adapted from the Charles Dickens story of the same name, and features such classic holiday characters as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and all those scary ghosts.

Director A.J. Seims, who also plays Scrooge, said the Bistro - in downtown Wasilla behind the public library - is a perfect location for the Victorian-era play. The Bistro is an old building with lots of character, he said, and when the audience arrives, even before the performance begins, &#8220they're going to feel that they've stepped into Christmas,” the way the place is decked out with lights and other decorations.

Seims said the building inspired him to plan the performance.

&#8220When I stepped into this building, I had no intent of doing anything like (the play),” he said. &#8220I just thought that the atmosphere was so neat.”

It reminded him of the old city hall where he grew up, he said, where fantastic Christmas parties were held every year.

&#8220When I stepped into this building, all those memories started flooding back,” he said. &#8220I immediately thought of Christmas” and wanted to stage a holiday play.

Seims has some experience with the &#8220Christmas Carol” story. It was a favorite for many years, he said, and he always wanted to play Scrooge. He got that chance last year during a production of &#8220A Christmas Carol” in Soldotna, also through the Triumvirate Theatre group - a nonprofit organization that raises money for youth programs. It was tough commuting from the Valley for rehearsals and performances, he said.

Seims is closer to home for this year's production, and said he's having fun with his character.

&#8220It's a character that has many levels, and of course changing at the end is the funnest level,” he said. &#8220I love being able to explore the different dimensions of Scrooge - why he is so grumpy and scroogy. It's a … chance-of-a-lifetime role.”

There are lots of local actors in the production, said Seims, and the cast is expansive with more than 20 performers.

&#8220It's coming together well,” he said. &#8220I'm really pleased.”

The play will run five weekends, with performances Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 23. And, as it is a dinner theater, dinner is included in the $25 ticket price.

New Bistro owner Kyle Beus, who said the business soon will be renamed Teeland's Mercantile, described the menu, which includes salad, prime rib or turkey, baked potato, vegetables and dessert.

Beus, who formerly owned the state's largest dairy farm at Point MacKenzie, said he and his family decided to purchase the Bistro about two months ago. They moved to Alaska five years ago, he said, and used to run a retail business down south where they sold homegrown produce, and homemade chocolate and ice cream, along with a gift shop and restaurant.

He said the new Teeland's Mercantile eventually will offer similar services for its customers. He plans to open a chocolate and ice cream factory in the downstairs of the building, said Beus, which should start operating early next year. In the meantime, the business is operating as a restaurant.

The dinner theater idea was a good opportunity, he said, and from what he's seen, it's going to be an entertaining event.

&#8220From what little bit I have seen and watched of dress rehearsals, I am really impressed,” Beus said. &#8220I think it's just an awesome thing for the Valley to have the opportunity for those five weekends.”

Apparently, Valley residents agree. This weekend's performances already are sold out. However, he said, there are tickets available for upcoming weekends.

To purchase tickets, interested people can stop by Teeland's Mercantile at 405 E. Herning in Wasilla. Or call 357-5633 to reserve a ticket or for more information.

Contact Leila Kheiry at 352-2270 or at leila.kheiry@frontiersman.com