Let the Holiday Shows Begin; Young Stars Shine in A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker; [FINAL Edition]The Washington Post. Washington, D.C.: Dec 12, 2001. pg. C.16Full Text (389 words) Copyright The Washington Post Company Dec 12, 2001 It's holiday time, and that means it's also time for "The Nutcracker" and "A Christmas Carol." You couldn't do them without kids, so Ellen Edwards checked in with two young stars to find out what they're doing and why they love it. Henry Hodges, 8, stars as Tiny Tim in Ford's Theatre's "A Christmas Carol." While other hopefuls recited poetry during their auditions, he landed the part by reciting something else: a Burger King commercial. Being in the play means the Bethesda second-grader misses some school on matinee days. But he gets to sing a solo of "Away in the Manger," and he delivers the play's big closing line: "God bless us, everyone." How did you get into acting? I think it started when I was 4. Someone said, "My mom or aunt is an agent. I can get you a job." And they did. What was your first part? It was a commercial for cable TV. I was supposed to say, "How much is cable?" But someone made a joke that I could kind of hear, and instead I just laughed. They liked that, so they used it. Then I made a show about candy canes. I like watching that a lot. I actually got to take home a candy cane when I was done. How did you prepare for this part? I watched the movie. I loved it! I like the spirits best. They were cool. I wondered how they did that thing with the faces in the doorknobs. I learned my lines with my mom. She went over them one day and then by memory I would say all I could. We just kept on doing that until I got them right. Do you ever get nervous on stage? Sometimes, if my voice goes really low. I just try to make it higher. I hardly know the audience is there, except when they're clapping and laughing. It's like being in a rehearsal. How do you make up the schoolwork you miss on performance days? My teacher, Mrs. Gold, makes up a big book of work and I do that on days off. Math is my favorite subject, but I like recess. Some people say it's a subject, but I don't. "A Christmas Carol" at Ford's Theatre through Dec. 30. For information, call 202-347-4833 or visit www.fordstheatre.org. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Section: STYLE
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