"The American Shakespeare Center puts its own distinct spin on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  Adapted by Artistic Director Jim Warren, this version uses the Blackfriars Playhouse and Shakespeare's staging conditions to tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's Christmas redemption in a clear, concise manner."

"Music is a big part of the American Shakespeare Center experience.  For A Christmas Carol, songs of the season are sung before the show and during the interlude.  Music is also used to inspired effect within the performance, particularly in the Fezziwig Christmas Party scene."

"René Thornton, Jr. is a more physically robust Ebenezer Scrooge than you may be used to seeing.  There is nothing in Dickens' original tale that says he has to be elderly and frail and in many ways casting a relatively young Scrooge has its advantage.  In Mr. Warren's script this Scrooge plays his younger self in the Past scenes and delights in engaging with nephew Fred's parlor games.  Mr. Thornton is a thoroughly detestable old grump and he torments cast and audience alike.  His transformation to an adherent of the true spirit of Christmas is a delight to behold."

Check out the rest of Diane's reviews on her blog, The Accidental Thespian.

For best seats, order tickets for A Christmas Carol today.

Written by Diane Holcomb Wilshere, 12.11.12

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