Virginia S. Burke

Charles Dickens' novella A CHRISTMAS CAROL has become a staple of holiday traditions. It shouldn't be surprising, then, that this classic story can currently be seen on multiple stages in the Twin Cities. The biggest of these is the Guthrie Theater; this is the 40th year that the Guthrie has produced A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I think it's safe to say this is one of their most popular shows every year, with many families incorporating it into their annual traditions. Lyric Arts is also producing the show on their Main Street Stage in Anoka. I was lucky enough to see these two different interpretations of this classic story on back-to-back nights. And while I do have a clear favorite between the two, it's really unfair to compare them too closely. Both are entertaining and creative interpretations of Charles Dickens' heartwarming story about the rich-in-money poor-in-friends businessman who learns through the visitation of four ghosts that it's better to be kind than rich.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Voting is now underway for Minneapolis! We have a record number of votes in already, but if you haven't voted yet, click here to vote! If you have voted already, tell your friends.

Tuesday, October 22 marks the first day of rehearsal for the Guthrie Theater's 2013 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 39th year at the Guthrie, features a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and is directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as both director and movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will reprise the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past summer's original romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice. Check out a first look at highlights below!

Tuesday, October 22 marks the first day of rehearsal for the Guthrie Theater's 2013 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 39th year at the Guthrie, features a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and is directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as both director and movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will reprise the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past summer's original romantic comedy Pride and Prejudice. Check out a first look below!

Good theater makes you think as you leave the theater. Excellent theater makes you think while watching the scenes unfold before you. That is exactly what David Lindsay-Abaire's Good People does.

The Guthrie Theater today announced the full cast and creative team for the Theater's 2012 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank. The perennial holiday favorite, now in its 38th year at the Guthrie, will feature a script by British playwright Crispin Whittell and be directed by Joe Chvala. Chvala is the founder and artistic director of the Flying Foot Forum and has previously served as movement director for the production. Longtime Guthrie actor J.C. Cutler will take on the role of grubby miser Ebenezer Scrooge. Cutler has been involved in 30 productions at the Guthrie since 1993, including five productions of A Christmas Carol - appearing as Ebenezer Scrooge (2011), Bob Cratchit (1995, 1997), Banker (1996) and Young Scrooge (1993, 1994) - and was last seen on a Guthrie stage in this past spring's American premiere of Conor McPherson's The Birds.

The Guthrie Theater last week opened its six-week run of Crispin Whittell's adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, the 37th year the play has been presented at the Guthrie but only the second year under Artistic Director Joe Dowling's direction.

The full cast has been announced for the Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL.The full cast has been announced for the Guthrie's A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Scrooge will be played by J.C. Cutler; alphabetically, the rest of the cast will also include Sam Bardwell, Robert O. Berdahl, Virginia S. Burke, John Catron, Bob Davis, Zach Fineblum, Nathaniel Fuller, Stuart Gates, Emily Gunyou Halaas, Summer Hagen, Kathryn Lawrey, Tracey Maloney, Kris L. Nelson, Lee Mark Nelson, Isabell Monk O'Connor, Anna Reichert, Benjamin Rosenbaum, Angela Timberman and Suzanne Warmanen.

Park Square's 36th season opens with a perceptible crackle when the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY comes to its stage in September. Leah Cooper, in her Park Square debut, directs this gripping dark comedy that lit Broadway on fire in 2007.

Park Square's 36th season opens with a perceptible crackle when the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY comes to its stage in September. Leah Cooper, in her Park Square debut, directs this gripping dark comedy that lit Broadway on fire in 2007.

The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.

The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens adapted by Crispin Whittell and directed by Joe Dowling

The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.

The Guthrie Theater today announced that British theater, television and film actor Daniel Gerroll will play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 2010 production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, presented by U.S. Bank.

The Guthrie is set to present Frank Theatre's production of By the Bog of Cats by Marina Carr, March 12 - April 5 in the Dowling Studio. Single tickets are priced from $18 to $30, with opening night priced at $34. Tickets are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at http://www.guthrietheater.org/. Tickets for a benefit birthday party on March 21, which will celebrate 20 years of Frank Theatre, are available by calling 612.724.3760.