The Public Theatre’s own version of Dickens’ classic has become a favorite holiday tradition. This inventive adaptation, performed by six actors and a fiddler, was developed and written for The Public Theatre by Artistic Director Christopher Schario in 1993, and has since been published by Dramatists Play Service and is now regularly performed by theaters around the world.
“There’s a great reason why this story is told during the holidays and will never go away,” Schario said in a news release. “Sometimes it’s easy to forget the meaning of the season in all the holiday shopping. Watching Scrooge’s journey awakens my own holiday spirit and always gets me ready to truly celebrate Christmas.”
Another thing worth celebrating is The Public Theatre’s youth ticket price of only $5 for children 18 and younger. “With our $5 ticket, we are hoping to introduce today’s youth to the magic of professional theater and give them a gift they’ll have for the rest of their lives. Plus, we are happy to offer quality family entertainment that people can actually afford to bring their family to.”
With all the different versions out there of this story, The Public Theatre’s adaptation remains a favorite. “We stay true to the heart of the story, while at the same time imaginatively rejuvenating this familiar tale,” Schario said.
Much of Dickens’ original text is used, with six actors sharing narration, and portraying various characters with the aid of a simple costume piece. A fiddler underscores the story with traditional Christmas music, and a hand-cranked wind machine and a thunder sheet create a delightfully theatrical atmosphere. Uncluttered by spectacle, the audience’s imagination is free to soar, and this classic story comes to life in a way you’ve never imagined.
The Public Theatre’s version begins with a child reading a copy of Dickens’ novel. As the child reads, five actors and a fiddler magically appear and slowly coax the child into joining the story and becoming the character of Tiny Tim. It’s a marvelous metaphor for the way literature grabs and transforms us, as well as an original way of illuminating this inspiring tale of human redemption, a news release said.
Leading the cast of “A Christmas Carol” is Joel Leffert in the role of Scrooge. Leffert appeared last season as Mark Rothko in The Public Theatre’s production of “RED” and is looking forward to tackling yet another iconic role.
Also returning to the Public Theatre is Michael Frederic (“Around the World in 80 Days”) Sheila Stasack (“Fallen Angels,” “Red Herring”), and Ellen Lindsay (“The 3 Little Pigs”). Local actors include Matt Delameter (“Last Mass at St. Casimir’s”), Maddy Leslie and Aaron Watson. Returning as the fiddler will be musician and storyteller Jennifer Armstrong.
With a top ticket price of $18 for adults, and $5 for children under 18, it’s professional theater at a price even Scrooge would love.
For tickets call the box office at 782-3200.
“A Christmas Carol” will be performed on Friday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. The Public Theatre is located at 30 Maple St., Lewiston, just off Route 196.
For more information, visit www.thepublictheatre.org.
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