I was only planning on seeing one version of A Christmas Carol this year but, when I was offered a ticket to HCT's production as a thank you for being a loyal subscriber, I couldn't pass up the opportunity and I went to a matinee yesterday afternoon. I am really happy that I ended up going because this show has been one of my favorite Christmas traditions for a long time (almost 30 years) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the things I really love about this adaptation is the use of music by an octet (Brett Myers, Cannon Hadfield, Ryan Withers, Michael Von Forell, Hanna Schneck, Corinne Brown, Luana Parkes, and April Kerr) and other characters. My favorite songs are "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella" by Fezziwig (Mark Brocksmith) and his party guests, "Greensleeves" by Belle (Koryn Sobel), and "Wassail, Wassail" by Fred (Josh Durfey) and his party guests. I like seeing actors reprise roles year after year, such as David Weeks who has been portraying Ebenezer Scrooge for 21 years, but I also like seeing new additions to the cast, including incredibly sensitive performances from Alex DeBirk as Bob Cratchit, Adrien Swenson as Mrs. Cratchit, and Dylan Hamilton Wright as Marley's Ghost. Because I have seen this show so many times, I eagerly anticipate all of my favorite scenes and lines of dialogue (I always joke that I could stand in for any role) but this year there are some additions and changes that I found very moving. I particularly loved the expanded role of Charles Dickens (Josh Durfey) who acts as the narrator because he adds more depth to Scrooge's transformation, the dramatic entrance of the Ghost of Christmas Present (Aioleoge Lesa) with lighting effects and the use of a scrim because it is very festive, and an interaction between Fred and Bob Cratchit and his family on the streets of London shown to Scrooge by the Ghost of Christmas Present because it is so touching. Finally, I am always impressed by the elaborate sets, especially the attention to detail with the ledgers and papers in Scrooge's counting house, the opulent fabrics and furnishings in his bed chambers, the beautiful Christmas decorations for Fred's party, and all of the items on the shelves in the rag and bottle shop, and I loved seeing all of the new (and gorgeous) period costumes. It was a lovely performance and, whether you have been going for years or will be experiencing it for the first time, I highly recommend getting a ticket (go here). It runs on the Sorenson Legacy Jewel Box Stage through December 27 with best availability for the matinees.
Note: I would also recommend Frozen which continues on the Young Living Centre Stage through February 14 (go here for tickets).
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