McCarter Theatre Center announced the return of its annual “A Christmas Carol,” directed by Adam Immerwahr. This family-friendly production runs through Dec. 29 in the Matthews Theatre.
A popular annual event for families all across the region, McCarter Theatre Center’s production of Charles Dickens’ timeless story brings a tale of memory and redemption beyond the stage and out into the aisles and lobbies.
About the Show
Ebenezer Scrooge (Greg Wood) is no fan of Christmas. He “bah humbugs” every glimmer of holiday happiness. Cheer is costly and good-will is bad for business. This Christmas, however, things are going to be a little different. This annual holiday tradition will usher you into the spirit of the season with all the joy, wonder, and generosity Scrooge discovers.
McCarter’s version of Ebenezer Scrooge’s magical journey through Christmas past, present, and future combines period-specific music with 21st century design and special effects.
A cast of professional actors are joined by “The Community Ensemble” – an ensemble of ranging from age 5 to 74, comprised of more than thirty people chosen (through auditions) from the greater Princeton community.
Audiences will experience an immersive Dickensian environment when they step inside the theater lobbies. This “pre-show” takes place an hour before each performance, where adults and children have the opportunity to meet characters from the play, sing along to holiday carols, and discover sweets and treats before taking their seats to enjoy a myriad of special effects, dance numbers and the story of Scrooge on stage.
Since its publication in 1843, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has come to embody everything that is good and right about the human spirit – not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.
Originally written in rebuttal of the squalid working conditions of child laborers in Industrial Age England, “A Christmas Carol” remains a heartwarming tale of redemption, hope, and love. McCarter’s latest reimagining of this annual tradition has been honored with acclaim by audiences and critics alike, praising the Community Ensemble, in particular.
