Feature: Holiday Favorite, A Christmas Carol, Opens at Open Stage of Harrisburg on December 1st

From Mickey's Christmas Carol with Scrooge McDuck to the Muppet Christmas Carol, the 1843 Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol has been adapted over 130 times. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser who seems to have a heart of stone, has captured the imaginations of generations of book readers, movie-goers, and theatre-lovers. This beloved classic criticizes a society that condemns and ignores the poor. As Scrooge is confronted with images of his life and the life of his employee Bob Cratchit through the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, he comes to see the error of his ways. In the end, Scrooge becomes a kinder, more generous, and more compassionate man.

In its various adaptations over the years, the message of A Christmas Carol remains-be kind, show generosity, and care for those around you, even if it means that you have to give up something to so. It's a message that is easy to forget in the midst of the hustle, bustle, and commercialism that has come to dominate the holiday season, so it's no wonder that many community theatres make room for this classic tale on a yearly basis.

For the 19th year, A Christmas Carol will grace the stage at Open Stage of Harrisburg. This adaptation of the story, created by Stuart Landon and Rachel Landon, will run from December 1st-December 23rd. Open Stage of Harrisburg's re-imagining of A Christmas Carol takes the audience on a journey with Scrooge as he comes to find "love, hope and connection to his fellow humans by understanding the sweeping and powerful pull of Christmas." Directed by Chris Gibson and starring Nicholas Hughes as Ebenezer Scrooge, this show will help to remind us all of the true spirit of the holiday season.

Take a break from the stressful parts of the holiday to enjoy A Christmas Carol with your family and friends. Visit www.openstagehbg.com/achristmascarol to get your tickets for A Christmas Carol. Private performances are also available throughout December. Call the box office for more details.

Photo courtesy of Haley Harned