When one thinks of theatre, one usually thinks of large cities, with big flashy marquees, and nowhere to park. There is always a large city feel when you go to the theatre. If you are not one who lives in a big city, you should still be able to go see wonderful live entertainment, and that is what one company in Perry, New York is doing. Shake on the Lake specializes in bringing theatre to rural areas, and this Christmas season they are doing just that with their production of “A Christmas Carol.”

“The script has been adapted for a rural audience, providing audience accessibility to the story,” says Pilar McKay, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of Shake on the Lake, “we have two actors in the cast, one who plays Scrooge, and the other who plays everyone else.”

This huge undertaking seems like a challenge to a theatre company, but Shake On The Lake specializes in taking large stories, and telling them with smaller casts. “We just celebrated our seventh season this past summer,” says McKay, “we are known for producing classic established shows, and by having actors from all over the country in our shows.” 

McKay says that there is also a magical puppetry element to the show that audiences will really enjoy.

Along with performing theatre in rural communities, Shake on the Lake also has a list of educational program offerings including theater classes that are taught in schools and in local prisons around the Perry community. “People have to have the tools to tell their stories,” says McKay, “we are glad that the community has been so receptive to what we are doing.”

Shake on the Lake tours around the eight counties of Western New York during the summer performing their shows, and for the winter months, they perform holiday classics for the audiences in the underserved theatre communities.

“This year we are a part of It’s A Wonderful Festival in Perry, New York,” says McKay, “we are exciting to share what is happening in Perry with people who might not be familiar with what we have to offer.”

It’s A Wonderful Festival is an arts festival that brings artists from all over the country to celebrate the season and their art, as well as the Perry community. “I think visitors will be very surprised to see what is going on in Perry. We have a Main Street all decorated for Christmas. It is very Instagramable,” laughs McKay.

“A Christmas Carol” runs December 15 – December 23, 2017, and is produced by Shake on the Lake in Perry, New York at 37 South Main Street . For more information, click here.