‘A Christmas Carol’ comes to Show Palace
Nothing says Christmas quite like Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Dickens’ novella blends the supernatural with the infectious holiday cheer of Christmas. Show Palace Entertainment is bringing “A Christmas Carol: The Broadway Musical” to its stage, weekends through Christmas Day.
This highly-successful Broadway musical premiered on Dec. 1, 1994 and ran for 10 years in Madison Square Garden. In 2004, the production was adapted for television with Kelsey Grammar as Scrooge.
With musical score by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent, it is a holiday musical extravaganza and a family classic all ages will enjoy.
Directed by Jason Tucker, who also is Musical Director, and Choreographed by Lacey Vazquez, it is classic family entertainment at its best. After all, who can resist the irascible, nasty, Scrooge, as he is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the haunting and Ghost of Yet to Come.
With songs like “The Lights of Long Ago,” “Abundance and Charity” and “Christmas Together” “Dancing on Your Grave, “Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today” and “What a Day, What a Sky” and many more, this promises to be a very exciting production.
Dickens wrote the novella in 1843. It remains his most recognized story, and it is loved the world over. The story begins on Christmas Eve, as miserly money lender Ebenezer Scrooge begrudgingly gives his clerk, Bob Cratchit the day off to spend with his family, including his sickly son, Tiny Tim. Everyone in the village is celebrating the holiday except Scrooge. That evening as he sleeps, he is haunted by spirits as three ghosts of Christmas take him on a tour of London that includes the homes of his nephew Fred, his clerk Bob Cratchit, and Mr. Smythe, a recently widowed client of Scrooge’s lending house. Because of this experience, he finally learns the true meaning of Christmas. Throwing open the shutters on Christmas morning — he is elated to find that there is still time to make changes in his life, as he becomes an ambassador for Christmas spirt.
Seasoned actor Tom Bengston (“The Rocky Horror Show as Dr. Scott, and Professor Marvel/Guard and Wizard in “The Wizard of Oz,”) plays the grumbling, old, Ebenezer Scrooge. Clay Smith plays the long-suffering employee, Bob Cratchit. This will be his debut, although he is no stranger to theater — having played in national tours of “Fiddler on the Roof,” and the Asian tour of “The Sound of Music.” Fifth-grader Evana Foisy will play Tiny Tim. She was seen in the Show Palace “The Wizard of Oz,” and has performed in Francis Wilson Playhouse’s production of Les Miserables, and other productions. Jay Goldberg is making his Show Palace debut as the Ghost of Christmas Past, as is Ramaad Morris as the Ghost of Christmas Present. Both have numerous regional theatre credits. Christoff Marse plays dual roles as Jacob Marley and Fezziwig. Marse was Frankenfurter in “The Rocky Horror Show.” Ellie Pattison also plays dual roles as Mrs. Mops and Mrs. Fezziwig. She was Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls” last season at Show Palace. Michelle Procida is lovely Emily, the young fiancé of Scrooge. She was recently seen as Janet in “The Rocky Horror Show.” The cast also features a talented ensemble of 14.
This familiar story promises to be visually striking as the beautiful sets take you back in time to the cold, wintry streets of Victorian England where people in era appropriate costumes stroll the village, preparing for Christmas Day.
Call the theatre soon, as the holiday show always fills up quickly, and this show promises to be the show of the season.
Show Palace Dinner Theatre is located at 16128 U.S. 19, in Hudson. Call the box office at (727) 863-7949 or purchase tickets online at www.showpalace.net. Dinner and show is $49.50 plus tax, and show only is $38.45 plus tax. Children under 12 can have dinner and show for $24.95 plus tax, or show only for $19.95 plus tax. Call for group rates. Friday (select dates) and Saturday evening performances are 8 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. for cocktails and dinner at 6:30. Matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday (select dates) are at 1:15 p.m. with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. for cocktails and dinner at noon. Doors open at 1 p.m. for Sunday brunch and the show starts at 3:00 p.m.
Email Hernando Today correspondent Marsha Reiniers at [email protected].
