Christmas: Hans Christian Andersen

December, 2006

During his first attempt a writing at full-length play, Richard Barker admitted,

"I had writers block even before a word was put to paper. But then two things occurred to me: 1) He's been dead for over a hundred years, so it's high time Hans Christian Andersen write a Christmas story, and 2) No matter how hopeless your "story" may seem, you have the power within you to change the ending. And that's exactly where the play came from. A story of hope for Christmas."

So how did he make it happen? Barker readily admits to "outright thievery" from the styles of Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits, The Wizard of Oz, and even a little bit of Warner Brothers cartoons. It's about Hans Christian Andersen, and Yard Dogs, and Little Match Sellers, and Brave Tin Soldiers, and a Streetwise Kid, and Evil Scribes, and a lutefisk-fearing Snowman, and Nancy Narcolepsy, and... the Spirit of Christmas.

Book by Richard Barker

Music and Lyrics by Gerard Estella

Directed by Richard Barker

Music Direction by SPT Theatre

Script Contributions by Jason Alberty, Jim Kropa, and Scott Humeston

Cast: Jason Alberty, Jackson Bartleme, Jennifer Ford, Scott Humeston, Joe Hutchcroft, Jim Kropa, Tedd McTee, Leah Raulerson, Kelly Rhone, Christina Swenson, Jonathan Swenson, Laura Waechter, Gene Whiteman, and Mike Wilhelm

Christmas: Hans Christian Andersen was a collaborative venture of Theatre Cedar Rapids and SPT and was presented on the TCR stage December 1-17, 2006 as part of the 2006-2007 season.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Swenson