Spirit of Christmas Past haunts Bookmarx
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STEUBENVILLE -- Charles Dickens, author of the timeless and much rebooted Christmas story "A Christmas Carol," returned as a spirit to tell the true meaning of his story, during a theatrical event at Bookmarx Bookstore Dec. 8.
Dressed in 19th century garb, Dickens portrayer Richard Corbo gave visitors to the bookstore a 40-minute rendition of the classic story, complete with lively character voices and spirited narration.
In character, Corbo said the meaning of his appearance was to combat the modern ethos of consumerism during Christmas and focus on the holiday's true meaning.
"I've come this evening to try and reclaim my carol and, perhaps, get a little bit of Christmas back. It pains me to see the Christmas message of my little ghost story overshadowed by the purchasing of presents ... all of this snatching your eyes -- and your hearts -- from the honoring of the Christ child, born in a manger, for whom this day originated."
Corbo noted before the rendition that the story is named after a Christmas carol, or a hymn meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas. The story's sections are separated into staves, a device for measuring units in music or poetry.
Bookmarx owner John Kuhner noted that this was the bookstore's "first assay in theater." The "Christmas Carol" rendition was one of many community events organized by Kuhner since he and his wife, Catherine Kuhner, took ownership of the bookstore in March.
Other events, highlighting local authors, included a historical presentation on Brown's Island by "Secrets in the Mist" author Mary Zwierzchowski on Dec. 15; a visit on Dec. 16 by Bill Steigerwald, author of "Dogging Steinbeck," who recreated and exposed falsities in John Steinbeck's journey through America, and a performance of "Winter Fire" by G.K. Chesterton portrayer and Franciscan University of Steubenville theater professor John Walker on Friday.
The Rev. Becky Deitch and her sister, Ruby Ohl, enjoyed the performance, with the latter adding that it was a "perfect dramatization."
Loretta Tullius said it was great to hear the story performed out loud. Tulles, who brings her children to kids' story hours at Bookmarx, said she appreciates what the Kuhners do to spread "culture and arts" in Steubenville.
John Kuhner said he was "honored" to have Corbo perform in the store, being partial to "A Christmas Carol" after witnessing English actor Patrick Stewart perform the story solo on Broadway. Kuhner noted that Corbo happened to be in town and had offered to give his performance at the bookstore "pro bono."
In fact, Corbo was in Steubenville precisely to do his performance for Franciscan University of Steubenville faculty and students on Dec. 9. He even performed the rendition twice in one day, hurrying straight from Bookmarx to Chesterton's Cigar Lounge for yet another performance.
From West Haven, Conn., Corbo has traveled to Steubenville once before to give his Dickens performance and on many other occasions to visit John Walker. The two had developed a friendship after studying theater together at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
Corbo said he had hung up his acting coat for 30 years, pursuing other ventures instead, until he received an invitation. Walker, who portrays Catholic writer Chesterton on the Eternal Word Television Network, asked him to co-star in a show called "Saints Vs. Scoundrels," which simulates debates between Catholic saints and various figures with beliefs antithetical to the religion's tenets.
The show cast Corbo frequently as one of the scoundrels, which he said he didn't mind. However, encouragement from Walker and Benjamin Wiker, "Saints Vs. Scoundrels" host and Franciscan professor, led Corbo to write his own take on "A Christmas Carol" called "Reclaiming the Carol" -- produced, filmed and aired annually by EWTN.
"Reclaiming the Carol" features the text of the original story spliced with commentary from Corbo's Dickens about the story's Christian undertones, and it culminates in a real-life experience Dickens attested to wherein he allegedly met Mary, mother of Jesus, in a dream. In addition to Steubenville, Corbo said, he has performed the piece at Storrowton Village Museum, an authentic replica of 18th- and 19th-century buildings located in Massachusetts.
A longtime fan of Dickens and his work, Corbo said he loves "A Christmas Carol" for the fun characters and many emotions it evokes -- his favorite rendition of the carol is the Muppet version. Performing as Dickens is a way for Corbo to bring redemption to Dickens, who had highs and lows in his personal life.
"(Dickens) is a fun guy to get into his skin," Corbo said. He added that, when performing the carol, "You get a chance to become those characters and tell that story. Hopefully, when people hear it, they feel a little better about themselves."