Quote of the Day:  A Christmas Carol has been a cornerstone of every Guthrie season since 1975 (including a filmed version during the pandemic).  from the Guthrie Theater playbill notes. The playbill has some fun archival photos and stories as well as memories and traditions shared by cast, crew, and patrons. It really is a fun holiday tradition for many people. As I sat in the audience this year, I remembered other performances I attended with my boys when they were younger and with other family members and friends. It’s a heartwarming story, beautifully staged at the Guthrie, with many surprises and gorgeous costumes and set.

David Beach as Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater, thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

Several local actors with long lists of Guthrie Theater, and other Twin Cities Theater, credits are on stage for this performance, as well as a few making their debut. This year David Beach is playing the part of Ebenezer Scrooge, his debut at the Guthrie. He has extensive Broadway credits, off-Broadway and TV/film credits. He was superb as Scrooge, taking him, and us, through the transformation of miserly and mean to kind and generous. His interaction with Tiny Tim at the end brought tears to my eyes. 

David Beach as Scrooge and Charity Jones as Marley in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater, thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

Charity Jones is wonderfully sinister as the ghost of Marley, rattling “the chains forged in life” and warning Scrooge of his imminent doom if he doesn’t change his evil ways. Eric Sharp drops from the rafters as the Ghost of Christmas Past to show Scrooge that his past formed him, but doesn’t have to define him. Regina Marie Williams appears at the top of Act II in the most gorgeous costume of the show as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Her voice and expression give Scrooge a true sense of the world around him. The Ghost of Christmas Future is a terrifying, looming creature with Nathan Huberty inside a larger than life costume. (This is where it might get a little too scary for young children.) They all give Scrooge, and us, so much to see and experience.

David Beach as Scrooge, Regina Marie Williams as Ghost of Christmas Present, Tyler Michaels King as Bob Cratchit, Emjoy Gavino as Mrs. Cratchit, and children in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

This year, Tyler Michaels King plays the underappreciated and underpaid Bob Cratchit. He interacts well with his employer, Ebeneezer Scrooge, while trying to stay warm and provide for his large family, especially the ailing Tiny Tim. John Catron is the charming Freddie, who tries, like every other year, to invite his uncle to Christmas dinner at his home with his family. The game they play mocking the old miser gives him pause, and their forgiveness and continued welcoming spirit give him great joy in the end. Emjoy Gavino plays a darling Mrs. Cratchit, and all the young Cratchits are adorable. 

Stephanie Anne Bertumen as Belle and Sebastian Grim as Young Scrooge and cast of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

The entire cast for this year’s A Christmas Carol is wonderful. This performance has so much movement. From the clock ticking in the upper right, to the chorus that chant and sing and move into formation with the passing of time, we feel that pressure of time slipping away. They use a rotating stage, where a scene is portrayed with a few poignant characters in a setting, like when Ebeneezer is a young boy at school, or his courting days with Belle. There were a few times when I thought, why don’t they stop the motion and do the scene, but I realized that they are portraying the fleeting moments in life. The, moments and the memory of them, slide in, we step back and observe them, like Scrooge and his guiding ghosts, then they are just as quickly gone, leaving us with a feeling of longing, and perhaps regret. 

David Beach as Scrooge and Regina Marie Williams as Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

Addie Gorlin-Han directs this year’s production of A Christmas Carol based on the original direction by Joseph Haj, stage adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani. Regina Peluso is the choreographer, and Jason Hansen is the Music Director. There is plenty of singing and dancing in this production, highlighting the merriment in certain scenes, and also bringing out the more ominous moments in other scenes. Jane Shaw is the composer. Scenic and projection design by Matt Saunders (fascinating, moving set that you have to see in motion). Gorgeous costume design by Emily Tappan. Lighting design by Yi Zhao, and Sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman. 

Cast of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater, thru 12/29/24. Photo: Dan Norman

You can see this gorgeous production of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater through December 29, 2024. Continue the tradition, or start a new one. It really puts you in the holiday spirit!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: What are your favorite holiday traditions?