BWW Blog: 'Happy Anniversary, Mr. Dickens! (and I'm SO Sorry)' by Jeffrey Sanzel, Executive Artistic Director, Theatre Three

I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.

Their faithful Friend and Servant,

C. D.
December, 1843.

Dear Mr. Dickens:

(May I call you "Charlie?" "Chuckles?" No? Okay. Fair enough.)

Dear Mr. Dickens:

(Yes, that is better, isn't it?)

Today is the 170th anniversary of the publication of A Christmas Carol. On behalf of all the theatres and film and t.v. studios and all the other media, I just want to say, "Thank you." And "God bless us, every season."

Without your "little book" many of us would have seen some bleak winters (and springs and summers ...). You have given us the gift of a story that transcends time and place. A story that people are willing to return to year after year.

I know in your lifetime that you were not happy with the adaptations that sprung-up (unauthorized and unwelcome, like pirate weeds). Hopefully, in these ensuing hundred and fifty plus years, you have found moments in our toil that would make you not unhappy.

We have given you the Alistair Sim film (the Gold Standard) and George C. Scott in Roger O. Hirson's flawless t.v. version. And Ross Kemp's modern take, also on the small screen. Patrick Stewart's one-man show. Jim Dale's unabridged recording. And Miriam Margolyes; too. I will stand by Henry Winkler's American Christmas Carol to the bottom of my gruel bowl. Tom Mula's brilliant Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol (solo performance by the author to novel to audiobook to stage adaptation-you might not know this version, Mr. Dickens, so run to your nearest celestial book emporium and get yourself some copies-perfect holiday gift, right? I mean, do your friends really need another copy of Barnaby Rudge? Does anyone?) Black Adder, Muppets, and Magoo? Is there not a more perfect Bob Cratchit than Kermit the Frog? I ask you. (I'll bet your kicking yourself: "A frog! Why didn't I think of that?")

Yes, sometimes we were a little off the mark. But even then weren't there always moments? Susan Lucci (Ebbie) as the department store owner giving out the meagre bonuses herself-it's her money, she wants to say goodbye to it. Robert Guilliame's slick and underplayed toymaker (the very 80's John Grin's Christmas) with his dry fa-la-la-la as he dismisses the season and all its trappings. Even Jack Palance (the brutally clumsy Ebenezer)-could you ask for a better Wild West Ebenezer? (Well, truth-to-tell, you didn't ask at all ... it's kind of like a gift you really didn't want but ...) Flawed but each offers something towards the holiday cornucopia. Forgive us our Tori Spelling's (A Carol Christmas) and Tom Arnold's (Chasing Christmas) as we forgive those who trespass against us ... Well, I guess you can't forgive us for the Tom Arnold ... Or the Barbie Christmas Carol (I'm not sure how that one even looked good on paper). But, we'll try to make it up to you ... Fruitcake? (It's like elderly Plum Pudding. You'll love it. I'm sure we have one around here from last year. Or the year before.)

We know there will be misfires and mistakes but we'll keep trying. And hopefully, you won't find it too painful. (And if you do, well, isn't it true that we often hurt the ones we love the most?)

So, Happy Anniversary, Mr. Dickens! See you for 171.

Yr Obt Svt,

J. Sanzel

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