Spencer Boys Make 2nd Performance at Cleveland Play House
Kenston Schools’ Spencer boys, Jake, 11, and Sam, 8, are Geauga County’s latest rising stars, having just completed their joint run in “A Christmas Story” at Cleveland Play House.
Kenston Schools’ Spencer boys, Jake, 11, and Sam, 8, are Geauga County’s latest rising stars, having just completed their joint run in “A Christmas Story” at Cleveland Play House.
The boys, who debuted in their signature roles as Ralphie and Randy in last year’s show, really fine-tuned their performances for this season, said their mom, Jamie Spencer.
“What I like best about doing shows is getting a reaction from the audience, like when they laugh at something I do,” said Jake, during a recent interview after the close of the show.
Initially, it was his mother’s idea that Jake start auditioning for shows.
“He was an early reader and he would act out movie scenes all the time,” Jaime recalled. “I remember after he memorized an entire scene from ‘Spiderman’ that I thought it might be fun for him to start performing.”
Jake, then 5, began his stage career at the Chagrin Valley Little Theater.
“I was in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ as a playing card and ‘Mary Poppins’ at the Geauga Lyric Theater as Michael Banks,” Jake said.
Sam, in turn, was inspired by Jake.
“I like making new friends best,” Sam said.
The size of the boys’ roles determines the impact it has on their ability to keep up with homework.
“If we have smaller roles, we don’t have to attend every rehearsal, “ Jake notes. “But our teachers always know when we’re in a play. It always works out.”
To that end, Kenston Middle School arranged a field trip for fellow students to attend this season’s show.
“My friends are always really excited for me,” Jake added.
Sam’s classmates at Timmons Elementary School were unable to arrange a field trip, but his teachers and the assistant superintendent did attend a show.
“Sam’s teachers also had Jake as a student just a few years ago, so it was fun for them as well,” Jamie said.
The experience of having both boys in the same play two years in a row is exhilarating, Jamie noted.
“Seeing them on stage is amazing,” she added. “Last year was exciting, but seeing them grow into their roles with a second season was just the icing on the cake. We’re just beaming with pride.”
Both Jamie and Brian Spencer, the boys’ dad, split chauffeuring duties.
“It’s easier when the boys are in the same show,” said Jamie. “That way, we get to spend more time together as a family.
“It’s as exciting process,” she continued. “We drop them off for rehearsal and they’re in the hands of child supervisors. It’s a four-week process before we get to see any of their work. But then, when we attend the final dress rehearsal, we both get choked up because it’s such a special moment.”
On the heels of “A Christmas Story,” which had its last show Dec. 23, Jake has already won his next role.
“I’m going to be in ‘Newsies’ at the Brecksville Theater,” he said. “I’ll be an ensemble character.”
Sam, too, is “staying with it,” though he has no immediate plans for his next appearance.
“I’ll do something someday soon,” he declared.
For more information on the Spencer boys and the cast of this year’s “A Christmas Story,” visit https://www.clevelandplayhouse.com/shows/2018/a-christmas-story.
