Scrooge! The Christmas Carol Musical opens Friday, December 5, at the historic Wayne Theatre in Waynesboro, Virginia. For a peek behind the curtain, Standout Arts spoke with cast member Jake Krug, who steps into the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge.

Krug considers Scrooge! to be one of those rare productions that offers a timeless message, one that feels especially meaningful today. He shared that the heart of the story lies in the belief that redemption is always possible. As Krug put it, “It's a message that no matter how horrible you might have been in life, no matter who you might have hurt, there is a way for you to come back and do something about it, make a change in your life.”

He hopes audiences will see their own lives reflected in Scrooge’s journey. Many people, he explained, do not realize how far they have drifted from the person they want to be until something or someone finally forces them to notice. When that realization comes, it can be easy to believe the damage is too deep to reverse. “I hope that this show does a little bit to show people that it's not too late,” he said. “You don't have to keep going on this lonely road. There are all kinds of people out there who will support you and will love you. You don't have to lose hope. There is still goodness out there.”

Krug believes the production may resonate particularly with those who feel they are approaching a point of hopelessness. He shared that Scrooge’s transformation can serve as a reminder that even the most broken spirits can find their way back. “If there is someone out there who is struggling with their own life who might feel that they are in a personal situation they don’t feel they can come back from, this show might be the inspiration to give them a new perspective. Like, hey, if this wretched piece of work can do this, reconcile this with himself, can be redeemed, I can do it too.”

While he is passionate about the story, Krug is equally enthusiastic about the people bringing it to life. He praised the entire cast, noting their talent, commitment, and ability to balance comedy with emotional depth. “Everybody in this show is fantastic,” he said. “This is a much smaller cast than we have had in quite some time, but everybody is so incredibly talented. The music is fantastic, the dancing is great, and everyone has these great comedic moments, but also genuine, heartfelt moments of emotion that come out.”

Krug also emphasized how much he loves the community at the Wayne Theatre. “My favorite thing about doing shows here is getting to interact with such amazing people,” he shared. “Not only are they incredibly talented, but they are also really good human beings. I love all of them. It is such a great community to be a part of.”

As for what audiences can expect, Krug promises a production that welcomes everyone and offers both joy and meaning. “This is going to be a good show for the entire family,” he said. “It is a show that everyone can love. No matter what genres or styles you like, this is a show for everybody. Everyone can enjoy this. And really not only get enjoyment out of it but learn something from it too.”

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Scrooge! The Christmas Carol Musical opens December 5 and runs weekends December 5-7 and December 12-14 at the Wayne Theatre in Downtown Waynesboro, Virginia. For showtimes and ticket information, click here or call the Wayne Theatre Box Office at 540.943.9999.