Quote of the Day: There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor. Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, an adaption by Crispin Whittell, directed by Joe Chvala is playing at The Guthrie Theater.
Kris L. Nelson (Bob Cratchit), Zel Weilandgruber (Tiny Tim) and J.C. Cutler (Ebenezer Scrooge) with the A CHRISTMAS CAROL company
Photo by Dan Norman
And, there I was, kicking off another holiday season, sitting in the Guthrie Theater with my boys and the Biker Chef, looking down the row to see my boys’ faces light up at the glorious theatrics of A Christmas Carol. I listened for their laughter at the lines we remembered, and the entertaining antics of the actors (Mr. Fezziwig, you are delightful). I grinned when the extra large mistletoe dropped from the ceiling and the Biker Chef leaned over to give me a kiss. I JUMPED when the ghost of Christmas Present sailed in. I JUMPED again when the ghost of Christmas Past appeared with the smoke and whistle like a steam engine. He’s giant, and terrifying, like the dementers in Harry Potter. I would tremble in fright, too, if he was looming over me. I even got a little emotional when Scrooge finally realizes what it means to be walking this earth with other people and that they “really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”
Kris L. Nelson (Bob Cratchit) and Virginia S. Burke (Mrs. Cratchit) with Zel Weilandgruber as (Tiny Tim), Ella R. Nelson (Martha), Tess Nelson (Belinda) and Noah Deets (Peter)
Photo by Dan Norman
The Guthrie Theater’s 40th Anniversary production of A Christmas Carol is delightful and witty with a story that makes you ponder life. We laughed. We sighed. We left with a good feeling in our heart. It is a reminder that not everyone has a large goose (or turkey) to place on their tables during the holidays. Many people struggle day by day. Some don’t believe in Christmas or Santa Clause or that anyone could truly have a change of heart and open their blast proof safes to provide for someone less fortunate. Greed rules the world and the need for power and control create hard hearts and tight fists and a wide gap between the Haves and the Have-Nots. But, those ghosts who are both amusing and terrifying point out what was important, what you’re not really seeing in the present, and what happens in the end if you die with your vault full, and your heart empty.
J.C. Cutler (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Tracey Maloney (Ghost of Christmas Past)
Photo by Dan Norman
I am so grateful that we have made a tradition of attending A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater. We make a day of spending time with each other. We’re experiencing the story together. We talk about it and laugh again at the humorous parts. This production brings out the humor more than we’ve ever seen before. The dancing, the costumes, the lighting, the music, the story, the fine acting and storytelling all work together to create a special kind of magic that only live theater can produce.
A Christmas Carol is playing on the Wurtele Thrust Stage at the Guthrie Theater through December 28, 2014. Be part of this 40 year tradition at the Guthrie and continue to make memories of your own as you spend time with those you love.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What are some activities you enjoy doing with friends and family? What are your holiday traditions?
That’s always been a favorite Christmas story of mine.