Everyone knows
the Charles Dickens story “A Christmas Carol”. It is a traditional Christmas
tale of hope, redemption and second chances. This production adds all the
familiar Christmas carols to this beloved story with characters Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. A Musical Christmas Carol is a reprieve from the commercial holiday and
brings Christmas into focus as a time where it is better to give than to receive
– a season for family and love for mankind.
Reflection
My Blog inspiration Book, Everything I Learned About Christmas I Learned From a Little Golden Book, reminds us to “remember another night…when joy came. One night in a
manger, under a star…the gift of love for all people”. This show similar to the Charlie Brown Christmas, is a
reminder to take time and pause on the “real meaning of the Christmas” . The show
opens with the song Silent Night and
interweaves the non-secular traditional songs Gloria, Away in Mange, Come All Ye Faithful and more into the
story of Scrooge’s transformation from selfishness to selflessness.
Richard Thomas as Scrooge is the perfect miser who stockpiles
his wealth and is untouched by the joys of the season, opening the show with a
grumble, “Christmas is a ba humbug”. In
contrast, his employee, Bob Cratchit (Jeffery Howell) a father of five children,
gives what little he has to the poor and is joyous spending Christmas with his
loving family and of course, sweeter
that pie, Tiny Tim (Daniel Frontz).
Marly (Daniel Krell) the
ghost of Scrooge’s deceased business
partner enters a fog filled stage shaking his chains and warning Scrooge of a
similar fate if he does not change his
indifference to the suffering of men. Although
the story is well known, the entire cast, playing several roles, brings
vitality to Scrooges journey through his visions of Christmas past, present and
future.
Tim Hartman as Mr.
Fezziwig with his animated and humorous lines steals the show as young Scrooge’s
employer during the vision of Christmas
past . Terry Wickline as the maid and
Ms. Fezziwig does the same eliciting audience laughter during her performance.
Richard Thomas was one of the most joyous transformed Scrooges
that I have ever seen on the stage. He was “drunk with laughter”, skipping and
rejoicing in his second chance in life, and shouting that he was “born anew on
Christmas”. You could not help but to join in on the excitement.
A Musical Christmas
Carol was a refreshing show giving all a night absent of commercialism. This heartwarming show
reminds us that it’s never too late to make positive life changes and as Scrooge concludes, “family is the richness of
life and mankind is our business”.
A Musical Christmas Carol is my new family tradition for a family night away
from the holiday rush. Don’t miss the last week of this show that runs until
December 23, 2018. For tickets go to pittsburghclo.org.
Spiritual Refection
The steadfast love of
the Lord Never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every
morning; great is your faithfulness
Laminations 3:22-23
