It's a Wonderful Life. Miracle on Thirty-Fourth Street. The Gift of the Magi. Of all the belovéd Christmas tales, one has been adapted for the stage more than any other: Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Perhaps it's the inherent theatricality of its story, or the potential for special effects. For whatever reason, theatre companies all over the world perform adaptations of the story in one form or another, generally with the knowledge that this is one show that they'll have a nearly guaranteed audience for.
'Tis the season, no? So, in honor of the occasion, starting today is a Suite 101 Theatre first -- for the very first time, an elastic, metamorphosizing page. It's my intention to add links to every web site or page that advertises, promotes, or relates to every single current production of any adaptation of A Christmas Carol or show that uses the idea of the book as a central device that I can track down. Every few days more will be added at the end of the page -- up until Christmas Day itself. So, until Suite 101's main storage area overflows and the Net bogs down under the massive weight of all these hyperlinks, we celebrate the season with the ever-expanding:
The Dickens Project of the University of California maintains the Dickens Electronic Archive. Featured is an entire area devoted solely to A Christmas Carol which includes a number of pages regarding adaptations of the classic work. Dickens himself adapted the work which he performed on a many occasions, acting out the roles, and, although he carried a prompt version he enjoyed performing so much that he often varied the text. The site has a list of nearly 150 years of adaptations -- although the list is more of an example of the type of adaptations than an attempt at comprehensiveness. This is a scholarly site, full of detail and insight, tidbits and trivia. A boon for the Dickens buff.
Syracuse Stage's version is adapted by Gerardine Clark and directed by Charles Karchmer. It's described as a musical adaptation. Great poster, conceived and designed by Mark Russell & Associates, is featured at the site. You'll also find a playing schedule, ticket price chart, and a 30-second radio advertisement. Nov. 29 to Dec. 28. (Syracuse, N.Y.)
The Barn Playhouse (amateur) does an adaptation by Paul Sargent and Jane Agostinelli. The page is featured on a lovely, cow-filled site.Weekends, Dec. 12 to Dec. 21. (Jeffersonville, Pa.)
The Hippodrome State Theatre performs an adaptation by Mary Hausch, as they have for the last twenty years. They claim to have "eye-popping" special effects. Cool! Very busy, noisy site. Dec. 2 to Dec. 21. (Gainesville, Fla.)
The Grand Theatre's adaptation is by Michael Shamata. It's a non-musical version. The Evening Times Globe had nice things to say about the adaptation. Dec. 2 to Jan. 3. (London, Ont.)
Falls Patio Players (amateur) does an original musical version by Carol Klose and Jack C. Strawbridge. Tickets are only $5. Dec. 5 to Dec. 7. (Menomonee Falls, Wis.)
Courtesy of the Dickens Project, here are some sites where
you can find the complete text of the original:
http://www.literature.org/Works/Charles-Dicke
gopher://wiretap.spies.com/00/Library/Classic/carol.txtns/christmas-carol/
The Emmett Community Playhouse amateur production features Judge Gordon Petrie as Scrooge. The adaptor is uncredited in this article. Dec. 5 to Dec. 14. (Emmett, Idaho)
The big boy, king of the mountain is The Theater at Madison Square Garden's version, adapted by Lynn (Ragtime) Ahrens and Mike (Me and My Girl) Ockrent who also directed, with music by Alan (Beauty and the Beast) Menkin, and lyrics by Lynn (Anastasia) Ahrens. Choreographed by Susan (Big) Stroman. This year's performance of Scrooge is split between Hal (Barney Miller) Linden and Roddy (Planet of the Apes) McDowell. The Amex-sponsored site is full featured, with lots of graphics and RealAudio and Video, but, surprising, never really bothers to acknowledge the creators or creative staff (let alone the other performers). Nov. 18 to Jan. 6. (New York, N.Y.)
What's on Stage features no less than six different London (England) area productions:
. . . plus something called Scrooge's Christmas by Michael Poynter at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Dec. 4 - Jan. 17.
A page devoted to Theater in Madison, Wis., informs us that Madison Savoyards, a G&S group, is performing A Gilbert and Sullivan Christmas Carol. They credit Dickens with the story, Gayden Wren with the libretto, and Sir Arthur Sullivan with the music, so how is it "A Gilbert" and Sullivan CC? Dec. 11 to Dec. 14. CTM is doing an adaptation written and directed by Nancy Thurow (for the 21st year), Nov. 28 to Dec. 23. (The site leaves the impression that these are both community groups.) Madison, Wis.
Western Oregon University Theatre and Dance Department's adaptation by Patrick Page claims to be entirely in "Dickens' words, nothing added." Their school performances are utterly sold out, but there are still some tickets for the regular shows. Dec. 1 to Dec. 6. (Somewhere in Western Oregon.)
Dr. Valerie L. Gager's play, Dickens' Dreams was inspired by Robert William Buss' unfinished painting Dickens' Dream. It ends with Dickens' last public reading of A Christmas Carol. (No performances scheduled.)
In Chicago's Footlights online magazine, Jonathan Abarbanel writes about potential alternatives to the perennial classic.
Will & Company offers a 45-minute touring production for kids, adapted by Colin Cox. (Los Angeles, CA)
As they do every year, the Randolph-Macon College Drama Department will be performing a Marilyn Mattys adaptation, directed by Joe and Marilyn Mattys. December 8 - 11. (Ashland, VA)
The Goodman Theatre's 20th anniversary production, adapted by Tom Creamer, is being celebrated with 20 different events, including A Christmas Carol Coloring Contest, Cratchit Family Reunion (where actors of 20 years worth of production are reunited for a big party), and "A Turkey the Size of Tiny Tim" is given away. November 8 - December 30. (Chicago, IL)
Seattle's got a number of concurrent "Carols" playing this year. Read about them in the Seattle Times.
The Wayne State University theatre site has not been updated in recent times, but they do announce a version by Barbara Field in their 1997-98 season. (Detroit, MI)
You can read some studies of the cultural perspectives of Dickens' story written by some students of Susquehanna University as part of their "Study of Literature HTML Project." Warning: Bad Spelling alert.
The stage & fright theatre company presents a version in English at the Schauspielhaus Bochum based on Dicken's own abridged performance version. It stars Andreas Lammers playing more than fifteen characters. The site also features an adaptation of the story by J.H. McNulty, based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem, "The Raven." December 1, 8, 15, 22, and 23. (Bocum, Germany)
South Coast Repertory does an adaptation, but they don't seem to like to talk about it. It's listed in their calendar of events at their site, but not in their list of the current season's offerings. November 30 - December 24. (Costa Mesa, CA)
Ballet Montmartre of Costa Mesa, CA, is present a premiere of a new ballet based on the work, choreographed by Stela Viorica, with music by George Martinovich. Here's a news release. December 4, 20, 21. (Costa Mesa, CA)
The CBC Radio site (Canada's national public radio) actually maintains a list of assorted Canadian productions of A Christmas Carol. No mention of what kind of, or who did any of the listed adaptations, but they do note whether the productions include any "CBC Voices."
Back by popular demand, the "new life drama company" presents an original musical adaptation called Ebeneezer Scrooge: A Christmas Carol." No mention of who did the adaptation or the music, but lots of shots of the production. Cool 'n' creepy poster, too. Held at the Friends of the Performing Arts Center, December 20 - 23. (Concord,. MA)
Here's another place you'll find the complete text of Dickens' original work: Rock Island Technologies, who include it as part of their St. Patrick's Day site (don't ask me!).
The Parker Playhouse of Parker High School presents a version on two weekends, December 6 & 7, and December 13 & 14. Nice over Marley's shoulder drawing by Amie Reynolds, Class of 1998. (Janesville, WI)
The Ford's Theatre version is adapted and directed by David H. Bell. You also have the opportunity to purchase the 1997 Ford's Theatre Christmas Ornament. November 21 - January 4 (when it'll be supplanted by Kudzu, by Doug Marlette and Jack Herrick, and featuring the Red Clay Ramblers). (Washington, DC)
The Actors Circle at Providence Playhouse seems to be doing a version (you have to call for details). (Scranton, PA)
This isolated page came up in a net search; dates and details about the adapters (Sheldon Harnick and Michael (sic) Legrand) are given but there are no links off the page. You can't even tell who's presenting and performing the show, or where they're located. A little snooping proves this to belong to the Civic Theatres of Orlando, FL. (Of course, the additional snooping reveals that this production took place last year, so don't rush out to buy tickets.)
A version will be briefly presented at King Center for the Performing Arts (which may have something to do with Brevard Community College). December 17. (Cocoa, FL)
The Alliance for Performing Arts and/or The Place have a production going on through December 21, and although you can't reach their page describing the production you can read something about them. December 5 - 21. (Pomona, CA)
Bernard Herrmann wrote an opera for television based on the story, with text by Maxwell Anderson. It was broadcast on CBS in 1954.
The Civic Theatre (of Allentown, PA) will be presenting a Tenth Production Reunion event, along with their (uncredited) adaptation, featuring five of the Civic's six Scrooges. Refreshments, a silent auction, prizes and surprises. December 5 - 20. (Allentown, PA)
You can read reviews of two different Canadian productions at Canoe's Jam:
The Civic Light Opera presents A Musical Christmas Carol, with no one credited with either adaptation or music (although it seems they're using traditional carols). December 11 - 23. (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Nebraska Theatre Caravan presented a version at the Topeka Performing Arts Center on November 28th. (Topeka, KS)
The CDR Radio Network of Cedarville College Chapel broadcasts a version by the FOTF Theatre (?) which you can hear in portions of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. December 22 - 24. (Cedarville, OH)
The Dramatists Play Service lists a version by Christopher Schario for 4 men and 2 women, and one by Romulus Linney for a "flexible" cast of 19 men and 17 women which he describes as "part Hamlet... part Everyman... and part Charlie Chaplin."
The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park presents their "cherished Cincinnati tradition," adapted by Howard Dallin and directed by Michael Haney. (The site supposedly features a video clip of the production, but the link was broken when I checked.) November 30 - December 28. (Cincinnati, OH)
The Columbia Marionette Theatre version was adapted by Robert Padley and Lyon Hill. It's their "first foray into marionette artistry aimed at older children and adults." November 28 - December 19. (Columbia, SC)
The North Carolina School of the Arts presents an unknown version. December 17 - 20. (Winston-Salem, NC)
A version adapted by Neil Bartlett and directed by Andy Farrell is presented Communicado, a company known for its dazzling special effects at the Tron Theatre. December 10 - January 10. (Glasgow, Scotland)
BJ Leiderman, composer of some of the best theme music in radio, wrote a "pop/rock" version with lyrics by Jim Morgan.
Know of or are involved with a website that has to do with a production of A Christmas Carol that I've overlooked or not stumbled across? Write me!
Don't forget to visit to Links to the Reviews page to see what the critics are trashing or praising this week.
And break up the monotony of your hectic, endless, mad dash to complete your Christmas shopping -- go see a show!
See you at the theatre.
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 12/9-12/29/97
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