Albright Theatre offers a family friendly 'Christmas Carol'
Could there be a better place to stage Charles Dickens' popular holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol?”
The Albright Theater Company's production takes place in the open loft of the third floor of Batavia's Government Center. The open attic space is just the ticket for a play that showcases ghosts and spirits.
“We love the space,” said co-director Jennifer Ring. “As soon as people step off the elevator, they know that they are in a place that is unusual, and the historic building is great for a period piece.”
When I was in my 20s, I took my sister's family to Chicago to see the popular play. The play was so realistic that two out of three of their children spent the show quivering on the floor. This production promises to be more family friendly.
“We would recommend this show for (ages) 5 and up.” said Ring. “We chose a very family-friendly adaptation.”
Family friendly is the code word here since the Albright's annual Christmas show usually includes a number of families who come out to do a show together.
Jennifer Ring did promise some lighting techniques and fog to recreate the ghostly moments, but nothing that would send a child to a cold floor.
The great thing about “A Christmas Carol” is the message the show imparts. Children can see how unhappy Scrooge is even though he has material wealth.
He doesn't find true happiness until he learns to share, not just his wealth but of himself.
The play has a bit of humor and a bit of sadness. In fact, Charles Dickens would have probably been very upset to learn that the story was frightening to some.
In the preface of his original book, Dickens wrote, ”I have endeavored in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly …”
The life lessons in this show are clear. Although we don't all have the power to look into the future, we do have the power to make changes in our lives that make us better individuals.
Just like Scrooge, we can strive to help others and to be kinder and more considerate of one another.
The redemption in the play doesn't apply to Scrooge alone. The Cratchits also learn to change in how they view Mr. Scrooge, as well as others who viewed Scrooge as a mean, penny-pinching miser.
“I tell my actors that if they really pay attention to the journey to follow (in the play) that the transformation will come naturally at the right moment in the show,” Ring said.
Rob Novak, the actor cast in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge, has taken that advice to heart.
“It's a challenge,” Novak said. “You have to change gradually through the different visits from the spirits. There are a whole range of emotions to go through frustration, anger, guilt, fear, remorse, redemption and finally you reach the Nirvana of goodness.”
I'm sure the audience will be transformed when the cast at the Albright Theater Company takes the stage opening night on Friday, Dec. 10. Performances continue through Sunday, Dec. 19; details are at albrighttheare.com.
Geneva Underground
I can't do a story about “A Christmas Carol” without mentioning the Underground Playhouse's family-oriented production of the Dickens classic. The Geneva theater group is in its second-week run of the popular show. The cast is composed of students who, from what I've heard, have put together an outstanding show, including leading the audience in the singing of carols at the end of the show.
If you enjoy the energy and creativity of youth theater, check it out. Details are at guptheatre.org.
If you go
<b>Albright Theatre's “A Christmas Carol”</b>
When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19
Where: Batavia Government Center, 100 N. Island Ave., Batavia
Cost: $10 adults, $7 students and seniors
Details: albrighttheatre.com, (630) 406-8838
<b>Geneva Underground Playhouse youth production of “A Christmas Carol”</b>
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10-12
Where: 524 W. State St., Geneva
Cost: $15 adults, $10 students and seniors
Details: guptheatre.org, (630) 677-1725