One of the annual highlights of The Fabulous Fox season runs when the Nebraska Theater Caravan returns for its annual presentation of A Christmas Carol.

Helping make the presentation the showcase that it is, is a wonderfully portrayal of Scrooge by a performer who says that he has ‘made the character and the presentation ‘his own’."

It’s Cork Ramer who makes the statement—and he’s not bragging. After all, he has played the role for 15 consecutive seasons in the musical. In that time, other actors and stage hands have come and gone, but Cork and Scrooge have remained, becoming more and more immersed in each other.

"I don’t have to apply as much makeup to look like an older man as I used to," says Cork. Although he is only approaching ‘senior status’ at 48, he already has 10 grandchildren, whom he says he draws on for much of his interpretation of Scrooge, especially as it relates to the relationship between Scrooge and Tiny Tim.

"My wife tells me that I often bring home a lot of the ‘qualities’ of Scrooge," he muses. "Unfortunately, sometimes it might be his dark side that I carry with me," he adds with a laugh.

That typifies Cork’s approach towards everything about the show—total commitment to his character and the production, but always equally committed to bringing Christmas joy to the part and the audience.

Does he ever coast in his performance? After all, he’s done it for 15 years on tours that cover a number of cities and he knows the part by heart. But, while he remembers certain technical aspects of the role—lines, stage position, lighting,--he always brings forth a new dimension to Scrooge.

When he describes the process and Scrooge, it’s almost as though he is talking about a dear friend:

"Scrooge has many of the personality characteristics that we all have about Christmas, if we’re truthful. Crowds…family visits we don’t want to make…the commercialization…it makes all of want to say ‘Humbug.’

"But there’s another side of Scrooge that we all share. He has warmth and the things he has gone through make Christmas a time of hope and joy for all of us.

"As far as my role goes, each year the cast members, especially the new members, bring their own interpretation to their roles. They don’t change the lines, but the add a new energy and feeling that allows Scrooge to respond to them in a way that keeps Scrooge fresh and real."

Therein lies the key to Cork’s performance.

"The whole thing is about joy and happiness," he explains. "Even in the dark moments, Scrooge brings joy or the promise of it to the show. It’s a gift that is exchanged between the audience and the performers.

"I work to bring that gift of joy to the audience," he continues. "They, in return, give me and the others in the show a gift of joy."

One might suspect that Cork has spent a lifetime in the theater. Actually, he started his acting career in his early 30s. What did he do before then?

"Everything…you name it," he says. "Radio (editor’s note: obvious from his rich voice that will be easily recognizable by the Fox audience), nuclear power plant worker, pizza sales…and then I just decided I wanted to act."

Now, he has expanded his theater experience to include writing children’s plays for the Omaha Playhouse, and he teaches in the Lincoln, NE school system. And, of course, he continues to bring his own unique relationship with and interpretation of Scrooge to audiences, including those of The Fox.

"I just love coming to St. Louis and performing at The Fox, " he reflects. "I love old theaters and The Fox is among the best. That stage, the decorations, the atmosphere make it a special place."

A special place for a special performer in a special role—that of Everyman Scrooge. Cork and his alter ego remind us of the special joy in giving that exemplifies the Christmas Spirit. And the biggest gift goes to the audiences that get to see this highly recommended production.