When Venice Theatre raises the curtain tonight to begin this year’s run of A Christmas Carol, it will be the 18th annual production of this original musical adaptation, commissioned by the theater in the year 2000. It will be the 16th year that Venice Theatre Executive/Artistic Director Murray Chase directs and the 16th year for Music Director Michelle Kasanofsky as well. And it will be the 16th, and final, performance for the man who has played Ebenezer Scrooge for Venice audiences every year since 2002. “I’ve had a lot of joy from it,” says actor Eric Watters, “and I will do it now, at 70 years of age, and that’s some sort of landmark for me.”

Watters first picked up the role in his mid-50s, reinvigorating a production that sputtered off the starting line. The commission was costly but ticket sales light for the first two years, and Chase was worried. “I hadn’t found the perfect Scrooge yet,” he says. “Bringing in Eric, and then Michelle as music director, brought the show to a new level.” Since then, ticket sales and audiences have only grown.

“I thought I would be sadder than I am,” says Watters, of approaching his final run. “I’m really kind of happy about it actually.” Not only does this mean his knees get a break next year from all of the singing and dancing and running up and down a narrow spiral staircase (upon which he “impales” himself once a year, he says), but he’ll have a chance to see the show as a member of the audience for the first time in 16 years.

Even when diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011, Watters made sure to be in fighting shape for his annual role. Weathering chemotherapy through October and November, he stopped treatment for the production because it left him “zombified.” The theater stepped in to help, finding a generous stand-in who would work with the cast through the entire rehearsal process, only to step aside for Watters when the production began. “It was unusual and not easy,” Watters downplays, “and that’s the one I will remember the most. Not because of the cancer, but because of the kindness.” He has since won his battle with the disease.

And he’ll miss the energy and camaraderie of the production, particularly the children (even if he does get sick every year, and suspects that youthful “petri dish” may be the culprit), but Scrooge will always be with him. After 16 years, Watters knows him better than most and finds him a highly sympathetic character—wounded but not bad, and more complex than many may give him credit for. And it was Scrooge that was there with Watters when he lost his mother three years ago, the last member of his family. “I found myself quoting a line from the show,” he says: “There he sat, all alone in the window, quite alone in the world, I do believe.” It wasn’t really Scrooge’s line, but it fit.

Now, upbeat and ready to take the stage once more, Watters already looks forward to seeing what someone else can bring to the character. Plus, it’s time to give someone else a shot. “It really is one of the great roles in theater,” he says. “There should be other people who get a chance to do it.” But he has a bit of advice: “Make the role your own.”

A Christmas Carol opens tonight at Venice Theatre and runs through Dec. 21. 

Pictured: Eric Watters as Ebenezer Scrooge at Venice Theatre in 2016. Photo courtesy of Venice Theatre.

The REALTOR Association of Sarasota and Manatee (RASM) installed its 2018 officers and directors. The newly installed officers for 2018 are President Greg Owens, Keller Williams on the Water, President-Elect Amy Worth, RE/MAX Platinum Realty, Treasurer David Clapp, RE/MAX Alliance Group, Secretary Christina Pitchford, Suncoast Homes & Dreams and Immediate Past President Xena Vallone, Xena Vallone Realty. The board of directors serving in 2018 are Marie Avery-Withers, Michael Bruno, Adam Chicoine, Georgina Clamage, Michelle Crabtree, Bill Furst, Sharon Gould, Alex Krumm, Maryann Lawler, Diane Lee, Renee Marquiss, Brian McGreevy, Robert Milligan, Maryellen Paterson, Roger Piro and Tony Veldkamp. Incoming President Greg Owens announced his goals for the year, which includes sharing the Association’s value to its members and the community at large, promoting a higher standard of professionalism and protecting private property rights. 

Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee

Lee Wetherington Homes has unveiled its new San Mateo model in The Lake Club at Lakewood Ranch. The European-style country house provides three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a great room, kitchen, dining area, den, and laundry room within 2,960 square feet of living area. The outdoor living/dining area, garage and entry bring the total to 4,277 square feet. A three-car, side-entry garage is neatly placed at the end of the guest wing, while the master bedroom is the exclusive occupant of a private wing. Eight-foot-tall doors with custom iron trim open to the San Mateo’s foyer, great room, and view of both inside and outside. Rooms in the entire back of the home—great room, kitchen, dining area, and master bedroom—overlook the outdoor living/dining area, its pool, and a lake. Inside, crown molding and significant architectural ceiling details match the flooring in the great room, dining room, kitchen, foyer and master bathroom. Casement-hung impact windows and soft-close doors and drawers are used throughout. The guest wing includes two bedrooms with full baths. The outdoor space at the San Mateo features colonnades and gas lighting fixtures. The pool, by LeeSure Water Pools, provides an infinity spa and comfy sun shelf. Models by Lee Wetherington Homes in Matera Court range from $682,000 to $824,700 (plus homesite). Only 14 homesites remain. 

Lee Wetherington Homes

Sarasota County Schools are looking for volunteers to serve as judges at the coming Sarasota County Schools Regional Science, Technology & Engineering Fair. STEM Fair judges need not have STEM expertise, as training will be provided. The High School/Middle School Fair will be held at Robarts Arena on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. The Elementary School Fair will be held at Robarts Arena on Thursday, February 1, 2018. Those with questions may contact Bev Stancel at beverly.stancel@sarasotacountyschools.net. Those looking to register as judges may do so at the link below. 

STEM Fair Judge Registration

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative, in its ongoing mission to connect people to high demand, career-laddering occupations in the region, is partnering with six local automotive dealerships to offer a free short-term technician training program at Suncoast Technical College(STC). Piloted this past fall with a class of ten Gettel Automotive entry-level employees, the “express” certification class will launch a second cohort of students in January with the additional dealerships on board to participate in this training program funded by CareerEdge through a donor with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Gettel Automotive, Sunset Auto Group, Peterson Toyota of Sarasota, Venice Honda, Venice Toyota and Wilde Automotive will hire individuals with no experience at $12 per hour for full or part-time trainee positions. The new hires must then attend a mandatory, free 11-week automotive training program at STC’s Beneva Road campus on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4pm to 8pm,January 16 to March 28, 2018. Once participants complete the 11-week class, they will be paid $13 per hour full time with benefits, and will have the potential for additional certifications and growth at the dealerships.  Average wages for mechanics are between $40,000 and $50,000. Interested applicants should apply online directly at one of the following dealerships. The employers will choose the students for the free automotive technician training program.Ca 

CareerEdge Funders Collaborative