Pretty much everyone who knows Ken Weingartner in the harness racing business likes and respects him. At the same time, pretty much no one knows of the hidden talent he has been harbouring for these many years.
Weingartner, the award-winning media relations manager at the United States Trotting Association, works tirelessly at publicizing and writing about Standardbred racing in his trademark easy-going, humble manner. He’s not the kind of guy one would ever expect to get on stage in front of a theatre full of people for an entire month.
Yet that is exactly where Weingartner can be found throughout December as a member of the ensemble in the highly acclaimed version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ. The production has drawn Tony Award-winning actors to play the lead characters and gets rave reviews from media outlets stretching from Philadelphia to New York.
In the middle of it all this year is Weingartner, in the dual role of a poor townsperson and the baker at Mr. Fezziwig’s Christmas party. On stage for an approximate total of 15 minutes, he sings and dances in several feel-good numbers that have the audience clapping their hands and smiling.
And he dances well. The man has rhythm!
It doesn’t end there, as Weingartner also performs, in-character, in a pre-show engagement in the lobby helping to lead family activities. He is also part of the bell choir in the audience that opens the second act.
This is so far from interviewing Jimmy Takter or taking photos of Hannelore Hanover that it just blows people’s minds.
Including Weingartner’s.
“I would say most people are definitely stunned,” he said. “I can’t say I blame them. When I found out I would be part of the ensemble I was stunned myself.
“I never once thought about it. I never thought it was possible.”
With good reason. Weingartner had never attended a performance at McCarter despite living within 20 minutes of it his entire life. Not to mention, his acting resume consisted of playing a travelling salesman as a fourth-grader in a production of ‘The Music Man’ at Hightstown’s Walter C. Black Elementary School.
Although, as the old saying goes, behind every successful man lies a woman.
Ken had always been a huge fan of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ Charles Dickens’ classic tale of redemption on Christmas Eve. So, last year his wife, Lana, took him to see the performance in Princeton.
“I’ve always liked the story and it’s something I’ve turned to, either in movies, audio books, or the novella, every year at Christmastime,” he said. “When we were at the show and I heard about the Community Ensemble, I joked with Lana, ‘I should do that.’ And she said, ‘You should.’”
Lana began watching for audition information and coaxed her husband into it. He attended a workshop to learn more about the ensemble and the process.
“It was fun, and everyone from McCarter was so encouraging, that I decided to continue and audition,” Weingartner said. “I was thrilled when I got a call-back. I figured anything that happened after that was a bonus. I knew they were going to only select 23 adults for the ensemble, so I didn’t go into it with any grand expectations. I was hoping to be selected, but I really just wanted to have fun with it and try something outside my comfort zone. As it turned out, I felt comfortable rather quickly, which I think is a credit to the people from McCarter and the other people that auditioned. The auditioning alone was a remarkable experience.”
That’s not surprising, as this is much more than just a community theatre play. Greg Wood, who plays Scrooge, has appeared in such films as ‘The Sixth Sense’ and ‘Signs’ and popular TV shows ‘Law & Order’ and ‘How to Get Away with Murder.’ Steve Rattazzi, who plays Fezziwig, was in Broadway’s ‘Indecent.’ Numerous others have performed in off-Broadway shows and in highly respected venues throughout the country.
No one acted big time, however, as they embraced the Standardbred Kid as one of their own.
“Every person associated with the show has been wonderful to work with,” Weingartner said. “From day one, it was really about bonding and becoming a family. Especially with the amount of time you spend together for two months. People have been nothing but friendly, helpful, encouraging — simply positive. And it really has been a collaborative effort.”
That collaboration is what made it more comfortable for Ken to ease into it all.
“It didn’t matter if you had no experience, the director (Adam Immerwahr) and the entire team putting the production together wanted to see what you could bring to your characters, telling little stories within the larger story,” Weingartner said. “I think that’s what makes the community ensemble work. I think the idea is to assemble a group that is representative of the community, not to put together a group to simply represent a community. You can see the result, on stage and off.”
Rehearsals started on November 9 and were held all day on Saturdays and Sundays before they increased to weeknights during the final week leading up to the actual performances, which run from December 4-29. There are 33 shows in all, running for two hours with a 20-minute intermission. When the curtain rose for Weingartner’s first performance, he handled it as calmly as writing up Friday night results at the Meadowlands.
“I was more excited than nervous,” he said. “Of course, there was some anxiousness because I’d never done a show before, but you’re so well prepared that it really fills you with confidence and helps you focus. I think doing the pre-show activities also helps because you get to interact with the audience before getting on stage. Walking out on stage for the first time was definitely a special moment. It still is special each time I do it.”
What makes it special is not just his participation, but watching the professionals around him. Weingartner has gained a whole new appreciation for actors and their craft.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Not only from the standpoint of preparation, but from bringing energy to each performance day after day, often times twice a day. It really is demanding.”
And, much like a harness race, where that perfect trip is so hard to obtain, live theatre is filled with potential pitfalls. Thus the drivers, er, actors, must overcome adversity on the fly.
“It is live and not everything will go as planned every time,” Weingartner continued. “To see their ability to adjust, and do it so it goes unnoticed by the audience, is quite remarkable. And that extends beyond the actors to everyone involved with the production. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes that is amazing and it’s all vital to the success of the show.”
What does not surprise most of Weingartner’s friends and colleagues is that he is a man with absolutely no ego. Not the kind of person one would find in the limelight. He feels, however, that he is just one cog in the machine.
“My focus was on the experience itself,” he said. “I think the fact I’m part of an ensemble is part of it. It’s not about bringing attention to any one person, it’s a collaborative effort between the group as a whole.”
Ken is unsure if he will try it again next year, noting that the time constraints are exhaustive. He is quick to note, however, that this has truly been one of the great experiences of his life.
“From the moment it began at the workshop I attended, this has been a blast,” he said. “It’s something a year ago that I never even imagined doing and I’m so glad I took the opportunity to give it a try. Honestly, had I not gotten in the show it still would have been a terrific experience, just getting the chance to do something new and meet the people from McCarter. But to be a part of this show, especially when you get feedback from people about how much they enjoy it, is an honor. I truly love this production and the people involved in it, so being any part of it is the thrill of a lifetime. I’ll never forget these moments, these people, and I’ll be forever grateful for getting this chance.”
In a way, Weingartner’s stage career mirrors that of his day job. If he is not entertaining fans of harness racing with informative stories and photos, he is entertaining a holiday audience with his choreography.
And still a harness guy at heart, he is able to merge the two with one line from the play.
“Actually,” he said, “I do like that Bob Cratchit says ‘I was (Tiny) Tim’s trotter all the way from church.’”
(USTA)