ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa | Michael Felton talks as he cuts hair in a barber shop he's transitioning to incorporate literature. Along with a haircut, there are 8,000 books lining his shelves.
"It's becoming Michael's Barber & Books," he says. "I own a barber shop with 8,000 books in it. I sell a little art and do other different things."
Yes, as in act. Felton, 54, plays the lead this month, the character Scrooge, in the Spencer Community Theatre production of "A Christmas Carol, The Musical." Performances run through Dec. 13.
"Our of all of Charles Dickens' books, 'A Christmas Carol' is my favorite," says Felton, an Arnolds Park native. "I read it every year. Dickens wrote this book to be spoken, not just to be read. He performed 'A Christmas Carol' throughout London and Europe and delivered it before audiences of 300 to 500 people."
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Ebeneezer Scrooge, says Felton, is a wonderful character for an actor, a grump who shut out the world after his troubled youth and became a miserable old man.
And while the original Scrooge is known for scraggly locks of gray matter atop his head, the 2015 Scrooge in Spencer has nothing hiding beneath his hat. This barber, after all, is bald.
"The director, Cara Gerlock, and I had quite a talk about it," Felton says with a laugh. "I'm a bald-headed Scrooge, which is new."
Well, it isn't new to Felton, who first shaved his head 19 years ago for a role as a biker in a production of "Tony & Tina's Wedding," that played in New York, Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois.
Felton graduated from high school in Milford, Iowa, in 1979. He then worked as a barber and did theater in Illinois and Chicago until 15 years ago, when he moved back home to Dickinson County. For years, he worked for the Art of Shaving, lending his hands, voice and stage presence as a pitch-man for the company, doing work on TV shows such as "Martha Stewart" and the little-known "Shaq Vs." which featured former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal challenging members of the public to oddball events.
"I shaved Shaq's head multiple times," he says, while also mentioning former clients like singer Billy Joel and Alan Greenspan, longtime chairman of the Federal Reserve in New York City.
"I retired from shaving three years ago when I quit The Art of Shaving," he says. "It takes too long and I was doing a lot of pampering, like the full facial."
Now, Felton offers $12 haircuts. His whole purpose is to be a neighborhood barber, representing the third generation in his family to do so.
The move allows the performer to step back into local theater, dedicating himself to three hours of rehearsal five nights per week at the Spencer Community Theatre, a facility and organization Felton raves about.
"It's a great place and the people there are so dedicated to offering a great theatrical experience," Felton says. "It's incredible, the experience they have the resources they devote. And for me, it's awfully fun."
A favorite moment came this fall during an early rehearsal for "A Christmas Carol." Felton worked with Makenna Pierce, a singer who plays young Grace Smythe. Felton's Scrooge crushed her hopes by delivering his trademark "Bah humbug!" after admonishing her with, "You'll learn soon enough young girl."
"She got tears in her eyes and it almost scared me," Felton says. "To be honest, I haven't worked with kids a whole lot."
The veteran actor learned something that night. "She's a very good actress," Felton says.
It's the kind of moment the barber cherishes, the convergence of characters, emotion and Dickens command that brings out the best in a classic Christmas tale.
For the actor, a gift that will keep on giving.
