The star of A Christmas Carol hasn't been on stage since 1999 so getting back to it reflects the emotions that comes with second chances portrayed in the play.
Gary Chappel, a night-shift youth care worker, is Scrooge as Judy Russell presents A Christmas Carol at the Prince George Playhouse Dec. 14, 15, 16, and 18 to 22.
Life got in the way when Chappel took on two jobs and there just didn't seem to be any time for things like acting.
"I had my night shift and then I worked in the afternoons and evening so I just had no time at all and then I quit the afternoon shift job about a year ago and with the free time I'm just really, really happy that I'm back on stage again," said Chappel, who, as a child, was a student of Josie Smith, a well-known acting coach. From there he went to the Banff Centre for drama, and went to the now-defunct Vancouver Film and Theatre School, and then was a professional actor, playwright and teacher for about eight years in Vancouver. He came back to Prince George after that and took on the youth care worker position.
"When I quit the second job I realized I had to make myself happy again so this is where I'm at now," said Chappel.
Being back on stage offers some challenges.
"I had a lot of dust on my acting shoes," Chappel laughed. "They've been in the closet for some time. It's really good to be back. The character of Scrooge is quite a meanie. He sold his heart for gold."
Chappel said Scrooge was abandoned by his father as a child and blamed for his mother's death at childbirth.
"Scrooge has a lot of guilt and shame from that and as he grew older he found a woman to love and, as I said, he sold his heart for gold and basically kicked everyone out of his life and became a very miserable, lonely man who only believes in money," Chappel explained. "It's a very fortuitous journey for him because he gets a second chance by looking at his past mistakes. He then realizes that life is not about money but sharing and giving and having an open heart to the world. So for me it's a bit cathartic because I get a chance to open up my heart and share my gifts again."
Tickets are on sale at Studio 2880 or by calling 250-563-2880.
The show starts on Friday, Dec. 14 with matinees on Saturday, Dec. 15 and 22 at 2 p.m. and evening shows at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 and Dec. 18 to 22 at 7:30 p.m.
