For the 25th year, the Hartford Stage is presenting “A Christmas Carol-A Ghost Story of Christmas” until Sunday, December 28. The cantankerous and mean spirited Scrooge makes a mighty redemption after he is visited by his old business partner Jacob Marley (Noble Shropshire) and three ghosts. Guiesseppe Jones is the grand Bah Humbug disbeliever in Christmas. Just in time for the holiday feast, he learns to mend his ways and open his heart to goodness.
For Scrooge, the transition is not easy. He has spent his whole life worshipping money and increasing his bank accounts. He has had no time for friends or family. He has neglected his nephew Fred’s (Erik Bloomquist) invitations for dinners, he has abused the good efforts of his employee Bob Cratchit (Patrick O’Konis) to work efficiently, taken no heed of Bob’s poor family and his ill son Tiny Tim (Theodore “Teddy” Curren or James Salvo), and allowed Belle (Leslie Blake Walker) to abandon his love.
In addition, Scrooge has no empathy for the trio of people who are indebted to him: Bettye Pidgeon, (Rebecka Jones), the doll vendor, who appears to Scrooge at 1 a.m. as the Spirit of Christmas Past, Bert, the fruit and cider vendor, (Stuart Rider), who appears to the curmudgeon at 2 a.m. as the Spirit of Christmas Present and Mr. Marvel, a watchworks vendor, (Daniel Madigan), who is the Spirit of Christmas Future at 3 a.m.
As Scrooge watches the memories of his past unfold before him, like Jacob Marley (Noble Shropshire) his business partner in life, dead lo these seven years, Mr. Fezziwig (Kenneth De Abrew), his old boss, and his favorite housekeeper (Noble Shropshire) who prepares his morning porridge, Ebenezer begins to realize all that he has missed in his greedy life. Meanwhile ghosts fly hither and yon bringing him a message that he has wasted his time and needs to repent.
With Jacob Marley’s warning ringing in his ears, Scrooge takes a turn to embrace humanity and celebrate all the goodness in life he has ignored. Fortunately for him, it is not too late to mend his ways and embrace all that he has missed. Kudos to Michael Wilson for adapting and directing his beautiful and meaningful tale once again.
For tickets, call the Hartford Stage, 50 Church Street, Hartford at 860-527-5151 or online at hartfordstage.org. Performances are Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday at 7:30 p.m.,Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as well as Monday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 23 at 7:30 p.m.,Wednesday , December 24 at 2 p.m., Friday, December 26 at 7:30 p.m.,Saturday the 27 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 28 at 2 p.m.
What would the holidays be without a revisit to Ebenezer Scrooge and watch him reclaim his place with his fellow citizens and be a good member of the human race. Savor the flavor of his now generous state of mind and heart.
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