‘A Christmas Carol’ comes to life
The first performance on Dec. 11 is a preview. On opening night Dec. 12, audiences are invited to a post-show reception attended by the cast.
As the story opens on Christmas Eve in 1843, the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge is as cold and dark as London in December. Obsessed with making money, Scrooge has no interest in celebrating Christmas, and grudgingly given his clerk Bob Cratchit one day off to spend with his family, including ailing Tiny Tim. That night, Scrooge is confronted by the ghost of his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who take Scrooge on a journey that transforms the unfeeling miser into a loving and generous man.
Charles Dickens himself entertained audiences with his own hair-raising interpretation of “A Christmas Carol” – said to be his personal favorite – impersonating 23 distinct characters on tour in Great Britain and the United States.
Aided by special design effects, including elaborate costumes and make-up, The Rep production emphasizes the sprit and spirits of Christmas as Dickens first intended.
“At the heart of the story are these four ghostly spirits who shock this man back into redemption. We want to convey the pure fright that Scrooge would have felt when he was visited by these spirits,” said Olson, noting, however, that the production is family-friendly and appropriate for children of all ages.
The Rep production also represents the realities of the Victorian Era and Industrial Age.
“Life was tough in that place, at that time, especially for people like the Cratchits. We have this huge, looming set with a background silhouette of the London cityscape. The characters are dwarfed by the city, with this tremendous fog lifting off the Thames. Despite the harsh landscape that surrounds him, a person’s spirit is reclaimed,” said Olson. “We’re working on a beautiful ending in which the line ‘God bless us everyone’ will be more strongly felt. In the last scene, Scrooge professes to Cratchit that he really wants to help the family, that he wants to become a second father to Tiny Tim. Dickens says exactly that at the end of the novel. The final image of Scrooge and Tiny Tim on our stage will reflect not just one man’s redemption, but how one person can affect the lives of so many people.”
Even the kids in this production will play multiple roles. David is the only individual actor to play a single role.
“Dickens developed “A Christmas Carol” around this single man – the whole world swirls around this solitary man,” said Olson, who gave the rest of the adults two to five roles each and uses scenic design to emphasize Scrooge’s solitude.
Performance times for “A Christmas Carol” in TPAC’s Polk Theater are:
• Dec. 11-16: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday preview; 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Dec. 18-22: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket prices range from $15 to $40, depending upon performance times and seat locations. Student tickets are available for ages 18 and under ranging in price from $7.50 to $20. Student rush tickets at $10 are available one hour before showtime at the box office with valid identification, subject to availability.
For tickets, visit TPAC Box Office Downtown or Davis-Kidd Booksellers, the web site at www.tpac.org, or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets may also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 615-255-2787. For information on group discounts for 20 or more, call TPAC Group Sales at 615-782-4060.
To honor the spirit of giving as seen in “A Christmas Carol,” the acting company has organized two special opportunities for Rep audiences. After each performance, costumed actors from the play will collect cash contributions in the lobby for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. The Rep is also setting up baskets for audience donations of socks and undergarments for all ages. These items will be given to families in need served by the Relative Caregiver Program of Davidson County Family and Children Services.