“Bah, humbug!” and “God bless us, every one!”
Who does not recognize the exclamations made famous by Scrooge and Tiny Tim in Charles Dickens’ beloved A Christmas Carol?
A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who hates Christmas. Scrooge is visited by four ghosts, first his former business partner Jacob Marley, followed by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Their visits transform Scrooge into a kinder, gentler man, with a genuine concern for the business of mankind.
Watch and enjoy his transformation in the Memorial Players’ production of A Christmas Carol, opening in Bolton Hill Friday night, December 1.
Responding to the appalling living and working conditions of the urban poor, especially children, Dickens wrote his novella over the course of six weeks in the fall of 1843. Set squarely in the mid-nineteenth century London where it originated, Romulus Linney’s adaptation preserves most of Dickens’ language and text.
Directed by Darren McGregor and Rina Steinhauer and produced by Kristine Smets, the play, like the novella, is full of wit and satire, both vivid and immediate. Even though the play will transport the audience into the past, they will be reminded that the problems of homelessness, inadequate education, and incarceration are still ours. Nothing in Dickens is out of date.
The cast includes many well-known faces from Memorial Players’ past musicals and dramas. Set design is by John Seeley, costumes by Tita Rutledge, props by Maggie Blanck, light and sound design by Daryl Beard, and poster by Lynne Menefee.
A Christmas Carol, like all Memorial Episcopal productions, is admission-free, but good-will donations are always welcome. Performances will be presented at Memorial Church, on the corner of Lafayette and Bolton streets.
Performance dates:
- Friday, December 1, 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 2, 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 3, 3:30 pm
- Friday, December 8, 7:30 pm
- Saturday, December 9, 7:30 pm
- Sunday, December 10, 3:30 pm
Pre-show receptions are held in several of Bolton Hill’s beautiful Victorian residences before each show. They’re a great way to donate to Memorial Players and to meet other members of the Memorial Players community. Attendees enjoy food and refreshments and receive a VIP card that guarantees a reserved seat near the front.
Click on the date to purchase tickets online for one of the receptions held at the following homes:
- Friday, December 1: home of Paul Seaton and John Seeley, 217 Bolton Place. Co-hosted by Nirina Randrianarivelo. 5:30 to 7 pm (show starts at 7:30 pm).
- Saturday, December 2: home of David Bielenberg and Greg Trimble, 1406 Bolton Street. Co-hosted by Melanie Alfano. 5:30 to 7 pm (show starts at 7:30 pm).
- Sunday, December 3: home of Beth Frederick & Don Palmer, 1307 Bolton Street. Sponsored by MRIA’s Social Action Task Force. 1 to 3 pm (show starts at 3:30 pm).
- Friday, December 8: home of John McLucas, 1314 Bolton Street. Co-host by Lee Bowers. 5:30 to 7 pm (show starts at 7:30 pm).
- Saturday, December 9: home of Michael Booth & Kristine Smets, 1308 Bolton Street. Co-hosted by Sallye Perrin. 5:30 to 7 pm (show starts at 7:30 pm).
- No reception for the final matinee on Sunday, December 10, so just come to the 3:30 pm performance.
For more information, visit Memorial Players online here or call Paul Seaton, 410-615-4532. A Christmas Carol is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.
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