Opening November 30th at the Players Theatre, "A Christmas Carol" is a warm and uplifting adaptation of the classic Dickens tale celebrating holiday spirit. With original music by Michael Sgouros, played by a live percussion trio, the show is wrapped in the warmth of joy, suspense and a sprinkling of tender-hearted redemption.
Written in 1843,
Charles Dickens' tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge, a cold-hearted miser, as he is visited by four ghosts, starting with his old business partner,
Jacob Marley. As Scrooge is forced to face his past and present he begins to regret the man he has become, while a glimpse of his future redeems and restores him to the man he was meant to be.
This production is a faithful retelling of the original tale, featuring 11 adult actors playing over 30 roles and a children's ensemble of 25 who rotate performances.
Eric Fletcher reprises his role of Scrooge for the fourth year. Fletcher eagerly shows us Scrooges present state of mind in the musical prologue where he battles the townspeople, attempting to prove that Christmas is a humbug. Later, he even doubts the ghost of Marley, trying to convince him that the pursuit of wealth is a noble. This sends
Jacob Marley (played by Jonathan Rion Bethea) into a tizzy as he rattles his chains and shouts "Doom!" in his song "Mankind is Your Business".
Later, as Scrooge realizes how far he has strayed from the young and hopeful boy of his youth, he reflects on the moments of his past singing "Regret" in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Past (Nina Kompanek). Next, he is greeted by the chipper and whimsical Ghost of Christmas Present (Briana Hurley), who through a montage of scenes underscored by traditional Christmas carols, shows him the life he has forged through greed and apathy. Ms. Hurly portrays her ghost as a Christmas sprite, on pointe, whirling around the stage introducing each new vision for Scrooge to reflect upon. The final and most eerie ghost, the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (
Courtney Hansen), here personified as a somber Victorian woman in black mourning attire, floats silently onto the stage pointing ominously to the shadows of the future, which includes a dark-comedic musical number "The Penny-Pincher is Dead" that foreshadows Scrooges future.
"This is a show for everyone, stated director
Brenda Bell, we can all identify with the desire to have an opportunity to redeem ourselves. Each year the same families return to celebrate the holiday joy that touches us all It's a NYC tradition.". The musical is amply accompanied by three musicians who handle the robust score utilizing over 30 instruments that bring the lively piece to life as well as provide sound effects. Playing percussion instruments ranging from the standard marimba to the more obscure creations (check your brake drum before leaving the performance if you drove to the show), the musicians bring the score to life in full view of the audience.
"A Christmas Carol", with music by
Michael Sgouros and book and lyrics by
Brenda Bell offers a free family workshop before the Sunday 11a family matinee. Here families can learn how the production team brought the book to life onstage. After meeting the composer, playwright and Scrooge himself (offering reassurance to the younger audience members that the ghost are really just actors pretending), everyone is invited onstage to create gifts that they can share with loved ones this holiday season. Coupled with the show, this two-hour experience adds up to a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family.
"A Christmas Carol" runs through December 30th on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7p. Saturday matinee at 3p and Sunday Family Matinee at 11a. Additional holiday performances are available on Dec 29 & 30 at the
Players Theatre located at 115 MacDougal Street (between Bleecker and West 3rd). Tickets are $25-$50 and can be purchased at:
https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/939446 or by calling
212-352-3101 or
1-866-811-4111 or at the box office which opens daily at 11a.
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