Charles Dickens News

JemmThree, the UK's first 24/7 radio station dedicated to musical theatre, is having a Musical Theatre Christmas by raising the curtain on nine musicals, with many narrated by the shows' own writing teams.

The most Scrooge among us would crack a smile at Center Rep's 'A Christmas Carol.' Although the old miser may balk at the cost of extravagant special affects and lovely costumes, or even at the time-honored message of hope and love, it's impossible to avoid laughing when the unseen Ghost of Christmas Present knocks a cup of punch from an overconfident young man's hand. Or consider the confetti that shoots out into the audience and the snow that gently falls down to cheerful faces.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is thrilled to present the epic theatrical event The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I and II. Written by David Edgar and adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens, the production is produced in Collaboration with Theatre UCF. Co-directed by Artistic Director Jim Helsinger and Theatre UCF Chair/Artistic Director Christopher Niess, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, Parts I & II is presented in rotating repertory from January 22 to March 9, 2014 at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center in Loch Haven Park. Tickets ($17-$40) are available by calling (407) 447-1700, online at http://orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins St., Orlando, FL 32803. Dinner and hotel packages are also available at http://www.orlandoshakes.org/nickleby.

Lucky for us here in Southern California, going to the theater this time of year doesn't mean having to trudge through icy streets and snow-covered pavements! So this holiday season, spend some time with these top 5 yuletide-themed theatrical offerings for the holidays!

As Salt Lakers learned at Pioneer Theatre Company's ELF THE MUSICAL, there really is a Santa Claus. And he really does monitor our wish lists. They are all on his iPhone.

Apparently quite a few (more than 250,000 have seen the Michael Wilson adaptation getting its 16th run at Hartford Stage). This year's annual holiday tradition gets a bit of an update, all supervised by Wilson and directed by Maxwell Williams, that includes redesigned costumes; enhanced flying effects and choreography for the ghostly apparitions; the introduction of additional characters; and the latest in lighting design technology.

Though this is likely one of the smaller-scale 'Christmas Carols' offered in Rhode Island this season, Artists' Exchange does the tale proud, and the ensemble's very enjoyable performance absolutely comes from the heart.

Just in from Gettysburg Stage - 'We regret that tonight's performance, the performance of December 12/14 at 8pm, has been cancelled due to inclement weather. Tickets are still available for performances next weekend on Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm.

Tradition continues with Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at American Conservatory Theatre, surrounded by the magic of San Francisco tourist hot spots decked out in holiday decor.

Lincoln Amphitheatre officials announced they are adding a production to the 2013 season. The Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association, the managing nonprofit for the 1500-seat, Lincoln Amphitheatre, will produce a Christmas themed play in December.

The 5th Avenue Theatre presents a singing and dancing spectacular not to be missed: Lionel Bart's beloved classic, Oliver!, the holiday treat that will have audiences saying 'Please sir, I want some more.' The iconic musical returns to the celebrated 5th Avenue stage for the first time in 20 years, and will feature stunning costumes, dazzling sets, and a massive local cast of 66 (including 36 youngsters), singing and dancing their way through the streets and alleys of Victorian London. Based on the classicCharles Dickens novel, Oliver! is filled with memorable tunes including 'Who Will Buy?', 'I'd Do Anything,' and 'As Long As He Needs Me.' Oliver! features direction by David Armstrong and will starDavid Pichette as Fagin, Grayson Smith as the Artful Dodger, Hans Altwies as Bill Sikes, andMerideth Kaye Clark as Nancy. Oliver Twist will be played by Jack Fleischmann and Mark Jeffrey James Weber at alternating performances.

McCarter Theatre Center's production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol has become a much loved holiday treat for families across the region. This heartwarming and powerfully honest adaptation by David Thompson of Dickens' classic novel is a wonderful way to honor tradition while experience the joy and warmth of a holiday favorite. Directed by Michael Unger, A Christmas Carol runs December 6 through December 29. (Press opening: Thursday, December 12). The Production Sponsor is Bank of America. The Opening Night Sponsor is McCarter & English. Check out a first look below!

Theatre Hikes is a Chicago based non profit theatre company that combines our love of the arts with the outdoors performs a comedy adaptation of a A Christmas Carol called 'A Very Irreverent Christmas Carol' written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Chicago's own Matthew Powell. Join us on Saturday December 21, 2013 at 7pm at Evviva Bar & Eatery, 1017 Front Street in Lisle, IL for this one night only performance. This event features Bradley Baker, Regina Dentzman, Justin Martin Fill with guitar, Samantha Heindl, Steven Lyons, Amanda Lynn Meyer, Matthew Powell, Allison Reinke, Frank Sjodin clowniing around, Blake Williams and Pullman Morris and Sword.

Don't miss these holiday shows that open this weekend, or SIDE SHOW at the La Jolla Playhouse before it closes this weekend!

Hell in a Handbag is proud to announce that Christmas Dearest, their new holiday show is adding 4 performances to accommodate the incredible demand for tickets. The added performances will play Jan. 3, 5 7:30pm and Jan. 4 at 3:30pm & 7:30pm.

Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts, in association with The Artist Series, presents EB SCROOGE: A SOUTHERN FRIED CAROL, written and directed by local playwright Ian Mairs.

This year's production of A Christmas Carol has been adapted from the original Charles Dickens' novella by the director, Josh Sazon, and is very true to Dickens' original text. This re-envisioned staging of the timeless classic will delight and brighten your holiday season with its timeless message of hope, peace, and love.

Gettysburg Stage's production of Mrs. Bob Cratchit's Wild Christmas Binge is an outrageous musical parody of Charles Dickens' beloved Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol. Written by acclaimed humorist Christopher Durang and directed by Hilary Snesrud, Mrs. Bob is a hilarious lampoon of a familiar tale.

It isn't every day you can tell a Chicago Bear to "break a leg!" Goodman Theatre's 7th annual "Make-A-Wish Night" features the superstar former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and 17-year-old beneficiary Kenneth Schumacher, who wishes to be a part of a professional theatrical production. Urlacher and Schumacher don costumes tailored especially for them and appear in select scenes of the 36th annual production of A Christmas Carol, Chicago's favorite holiday tradition. Tickets for the one-night-only appearance on December 27 at 8pm are available online at GoodmanTheatre.org/Joy, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn). BMO Harris Bank is the Major Corporate Sponsor, PepsiCo is the Official Beverage Sponsor and Aon and KPMG are the Corporate Sponsor Partners of A Christmas Carol.

This holiday season, BroadwayWorld brings you a look at some of our favorite shows playing across the country. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and treat your family to some of our theatrical favorites, now playing nationwide.