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:
Jacob Marley's Links
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!
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Steven M. Alper's Theatre topic, please visit the Discussions page.