Bay student takes the stage at Playhouse Square

Eight-year-old Finn Haselswerdt, a third-grade Westerly student, is featured in the 2023 performance of "A Christmas Carol" at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square.

Since 1989, the Great Lakes Theater’s production of "A Christmas Carol" has become a holiday tradition for many Northeast Ohio families, and it has become a new tradition for 8-year-old Finn Haselswerdt, who is featured as “Tiny Tim” in the 2023 showing of this holiday classic.

“When I first heard I was in the play I was so excited because it's a really, really, really old classic,” exclaimed Finn, a Westerly Elementary third-grader, “and then when I found out I was cast as Tiny Tim I could barely believe it!”

Among the youngest in the cast, Finn is actually double-cast in the dual roles of Master William and Tiny Tim because of the time commitment of more than 40 total performances through the holiday season. Despite the rigorous schedule, when asked what he enjoys most about the production, he says, “Everything! The singing, the dancing, the other actors … it’s just so much fun!”

Finn, who recently performed in Lakewood’s Beck Center production of "The Most Perfect Christmas Pageant Event Ever" as Elmer, also performed this summer in the Clague Playhouse production of "The Birthday Party of Beatrix Rabbit" as Benjamin Bunny. All told, while "A Christmas Carol" marks Finn’s fourth performance on the stage, it’s his first time performing for Great Lakes in front of such a large audience. 

“Acting in the Playhouse is a whole new experience for me,” explained Finn, “there are so many people in the audience!”  When asked about the rehearsals, Finn is quick to thank his fellow actors. “It’s a lot of hard work learning your lines and the songs and performing so many times but the other actors are so, so helpful. They’re just really, really nice and I love watching them act, too.”  

“It’s been a hectic few weeks,” noted Finn’s mother, Kimberly. “But thanks to excellent support Finn has received from his family, his classmates, and his teacher Mrs. Holinek at Westerly, he’s having an amazing experience. Finn’s older brother Logan helped him audition, his classmates are so excited for him and attending the play, and Mrs. Holinek and the entire administration at Westerly has been so supportive this entire time.”

Aside from acting, Finn also enjoys basketball, cartooning classes, and playing his VR with his brothers and wants to thank his family for all their support during the play.

“People should come see 'A Christmas Carol,'” said Finn, “because it’s a really good show, has really good actors, and has a really good lesson, and hear me say my favorite line – 'God bless us, everyone!’”

To see Finn in "A Christmas Carol" you may buy tickets at greatlakestheater.org. The play runs through Dec. 23 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square in Cleveland

Read More on Arts & Entertainment
Volume 15, Issue 22, Posted 9:40 AM, 12.05.2023