“A Christmas Carol,” written by Charles Dickens in 1843, has become a Christmas tradition. There have been movies, including Disney’s’ film “A Mickey Mouse Carol” (1983), with Donald Duck as Scrooge. Norman Rockwell illustrated a Dickens series for magazines, posters, and Christmas cards. Scenes and characters of A Christmas Carol have appeared as ornaments, Dickens’ ceramic villages, children’s books, and more contemporary Funko Pop characters.
Dicken’s novella has been portrayed in the arts, including etchings, paintings, and the theatre, where performers have delighted us with the nostalgia of this Christmas story and the drama of Scrooge’s changed heart, with the help of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
As in most cities worldwide, repertory theatre performances of “A Christmas Carol” have been a tradition. The Milwaukee Rep has performed this Christmas story for 49 years.
Our attendance this year did not disappoint. Even though we know the story, we are fascinated by gifted actors, youth and adults, who portray their roles. Matt Daniels played the role of Scrooge; not only does he deliver Scrooge as a tormented soul, but his mannerisms and gestures add a touch of humor, like when the spirits “freeze” him to offer suggestions to the audience or encourage their participation. The script creatively adds certain words, like " bestie,” to modernize communication with younger generations in the audience.
Entertainment isn’t only from the actors; the prop design is created by artisans dedicated behind the scenes—the revolving buildings of Dickens’ 19th-century cobbled streets of London. The rooms and decor spin to reveal scenes of decorated parlors, modest dwellings, and festive streets. We feel cold watching Bob Cratchit working at his desk with no heat and Ebenezer roaming scenes with the ghosts in his nightshirt and stockings. The draped bed of Scrooge is frigid and depleted of comfort, contrasting the warmth of the Cratchit family’s sparse surroundings and grateful hearts when they have so little.
The Ghost of Christmas Future presents Ebenezer with the death of Tiny Tim and Scrooge’s own grave when he is sucked into the floor, crying for help and another chance. It is an eerie scene, delivering a message of our mortality.
We all feel relieved that Ebenezer Scrooge has reformed his heart to do good and enjoys generosity. The mood of the stage becomes joyful, with Christmas Carols sung and “snow” falling from above the theatre. We sat near one of the blowers to discover that snowflakes were soap foam flakes, which vanished as they descended.
In the words of Dicken’s Tiny Tim, “God Bless us, Every One!”
What performances have you seen of “A Christmas Carol”? What did you enjoy about the depiction of this performance? Please leave your comment.
