As fate would have it, in 2024 there will probably be a change of tradition at two leading Bay Area theaters, with classic miser Ebenezer Scrooge saying, “Bye, humbug.”
But fear not, lovers of foggy London. American Conservatory Theater's popular version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by former artistic directors Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh, was canceled a yr ago. This 18-year tradition has given method to a brand new retelling by Craig Lucas (“Prelude to a Kiss,” “Paradise Square”).
The world premiere of ACT's “A Whynot Christmas Carol,” running through December 24, will not be the Charles Dickens classic produced at every level of the theater, however it remains to be based on the identical source material.
While ACT has had multiple versions of “A Christmas Carol” running since 1976, with Perloff and Walsh's version bowing out in 2023, latest adaptations have the chance to maintain the story fresh and connect multiple generations to Dickens' original novella, which was published in 1843.
“The source material is timeless and fantastic, and it is an incredible, stirring and emotional story,” said ACT artistic director Pam MacKinnon, who also directed the show commissioned by ACT in 2019. “I love a good ghost story, and this is it.” Basically, that’s sort of what “A Christmas Carol” is. But you realize, at a certain point you would like an adaptation that feels fresh.”
Over on the east side of the bay, Center Repertory Company in Walnut Creek is preparing for the swansong of its own version of “Carol,” which ends its nineteenth yr on Dec. 22. Matt M. Morrow has served as Artistic Director of Center REP since May 2023 and has been tasked with guiding the corporate through several vital upcoming milestones, including the thirty fifth anniversary being celebrated on the Lesher Center for the Arts. Since Morrow was named a thought leader, he was chargeable for planning the corporate's transformation with “Carol,” which is able to transition to a new edition in 2025.
One equation that modified considering across the industry was the pause in theater programming in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses large and small saw a decline in audience revenue, making fundraising events a staple for a lot of arts and theater organizations.
Morrow spent the last yr immersed in Center REP's beloved Christmas tradition and sees this moment as a possibility to expand on such a wealthy a part of the corporate's history.
“The world is a very different place post-COVID, and that means we're different too, you know?” Morrow said. “The way we invite people into our organization and participate in these traditions has inherently changed. And as much as we need to focus on traditions and what makes “A Christmas Carol” and any form of holiday program engaging and attractive to our community, we must all the time be occupied with how we are able to expand and construct upon that tradition.”
This tradition of seeing the identical play yearly could seem static to some observers, but MacKinnon and Morrow disagree with that opinion. It's vital to revisit the teachings of Scrooge's story in the course of the holidays. People just like the gentle Bob Cratchitt and his hopeful child Tiny Tim offered them to an audience craving a seasonal comfort meal that offered a brand new perspective on humanity. There's nothing static about it.
“It's very easy to relate to this story because everyone can understand that it's about a second chance and redemption, and it's a story that's deeply human,” Morrow said. “Within the story you can see yourself and the struggles you have gone through. “Scrooge is confronted with his mortality and changes as a result.”
With this familiar story, change is a profound metaphor for what is occurring within the region. While a certain brand of theatrical Scrooge has moved and continues to maneuver through each firms' pasts, the transition to a brand new and vibrant holiday story that remains to be steeped in familiarity is exciting. For ACT, MacKinnon noted that she was encouraged by the early and enthusiastic returns outside the preview houses, which included many children and families able to restart their holiday traditions.
“I'm thinking in particular of some people I know who literally grew up with the previous adaptation and are now in their mid-20s,” MacKinnon said. “Some will certainly feel lost, but I hope that when they see this play, because it adapts the same source material, they get the fantastic hit of a well-known story as well as an additional perspective on that well-known story.”
“A WHY NOT A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
By Craig Lucas, presented by American Conservatory Theater
Through: Dec 24
Where: Tony Shore Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco
Duration: 2 hours with a break
Tickets: $29-$151; www.act-sf.org
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“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
Adapted by Cynthia Caywood and Richard L. James, presented by Center Repertory Company
Through: December twenty second
Where: Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek
Duration: 2 hours with a break
Tickets: $37-$89; www.centerrep.org
Originally published:
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