'He is Scrooge': Actor embraces role for more than 35 years at dinner theatre in Longmont

Dec. 18—Scott Moore has been playing Ebenezer Scrooge at the Jesters Dinner Theatre for more than 35 years, appearing in every showing of the Longmont theater's take on "A Christmas Carol" since 1987.

"I no longer have to put fake gray into my hair or even put makeup on," Moore said. "I've grown into it age-wise for sure."

The theater typically does 30 to 35 showings of "Scrooge" every December, and Moore plays the titular role in all of them. He never even has to pick up a script anymore because he knows the part so well.

"The challenging thing is you have an hour-and-a-half show where Scrooge has to go from being this awful curmudgeon to being joyous," Moore said. "So that's a nice acting challenge. But there are moments in the show that allow for me to be dramatic and also very comedic."

Danny and Scotty Bohnen, Moore's twin stepsons, have performed in "Scrooge" with Moore since they were 5 years old and shared the role of Tiny Tim. Now, their own kids are playing the same role they once did.

Scotty Bohnen, who has graduated to playing Bob Crachit, said it's like acting with his best friend. Heand Moore know each other so well they can play off each other effortlessly.

"It's been really cool to grow with him as a kid to now and all the parts I play in 'Scrooge,'" Scotty Bohnen said.

Danny Bohnen said no one else embodies the role of Charles Dickens' protagonist like Moore does.

"He is Scrooge," Danny Bohnen said.

Jim Berthold, a friend of Moore's, has been doing theater at Jesters for 26 years and portrays Jacob Marley in the play.

"It's a tradition for a lot of people to come and see Scrooge, and Scott is a big part of that," Berthold said.

Moore said about half the people in the audience love to see Scrooge every year and other half are brand new.

"The good thing about a holiday show is people are here to celebrate," Moore said. "They want to have a good time, they want to enjoy, they want to keep it lighthearted and that's what's fun."

Scotty Bohnen said it's not just their immediate family that's performed in "Scrooge" generationally, it's a big family of actors who have been doing "Scrooge" year after year.

"Its like a giant family there," Berthold said. "We have a lot of people who have been there many, many years."

The building that houses Jesters Dinner Theatre is for sale and has been for more than a year. Moore, who owns the building, said he doesn't know how much longer the shows will last, but it'll be at least a couple more years.

For Moore, the repartee with the audience has made the character fun to play. He breaks the fourth wall and has a lot of fun with the audience, and he appreciates the laughter, applause and comments after the show.

"It's just been really rewarding," Moore said.

Jesters will hold at least one showing of "Scrooge" every day until Dec. 31 except for an off-day on Dec. 26. For more information, visit jesterstheatre.com/.