'A Christmas Carol' radio play returns to Cantigny Dec. 17-18
Cantigny Park in Wheaton presents something familiar but new for the holidays - an adaptation of "A Christmas Carol," performed as a 1940s radio play before a live audience.
The set for Cantigny's version of "A Christmas Carol," adapted and directed by Christopher Corrigan, is a vintage radio station.
Audiences will enjoy a behind-the-scenes perspective as they watch a talented five-member cast cycle through multiple characters.
To the side, an old-time radio sound artist will create realistic auditory effects to support the action on stage.
The show is inspired by "Chicago's Theatre of the Air," a real radio program introduced by Colonel Robert McCormick on WGN in 1940.
While the setting is a bit different, the main character's journey is familiar.
Ebenezer Scrooge is a Chicago citizen in the 1940s and publisher of the Chicago Daily News.
Guided by three memorable spirits, he will need to learn the true meaning of Christmas and "goodwill to all" if he is to save himself from an unforgiving future.
The cast includes Joe Ascenzo as Ebenezer Scrooge, Will Buhlig as the foley artist, and John Bihun, Jeff Gordon, Jameyrae Swetman and Nicole Borowski as the actors.
The performances will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, in Le Jardin in Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road in Wheaton.
Tickets are $2 for ages 5 and older, and available at cantigny.org/events/.
Parking for the one-hour inside the Cantigny Park Visitors Center is free for ticketholders.