ORLANDO — An intriguing aspect of Ghost literature is that one of the eeriest, and often scariest, tales of ghostly hauntings has become a favorite not over Halloween, when it virtually never gets mentioned, but around Christmas.
Then again, Charles Dickens’ classic novella A Christmas Carol remains beloved over the holidays for its central theme: redemption. What if a glimpse into our sad past could wake us up to the mistaken path we’ve chosen, or if a glance into an even more miserable future convinces us there’s still time to change?
Scrooge begins A Christmas Carol as such a thoroughly unlikable man — stingy, petty, bitter and foul-tempered — that his transformation by the end into the jolly old saint of the neighborhood leave us feeling we could all chart a happier course if we truly desired it.
What I enjoyed most about the production of A Christmas Carol now being performed at Orlando Shakes is that it captures the spirit, so to speak, of Ebenezer Scrooge’s heartfelt shift from “Bah! Humbug” miser to joyous soul. It’s a predictable journey, of course, but when it’s handled well — as it most certainly is here — the rewards of those final uplifting scenes leave you teary-eyed, and happily so.
Orlando Shakes has revived its popular version of A Christmas Carol in a production that runs now through Dec. 22, and the show once again soars at both its performances and the striking production values that make it funny, scary, and immensely rewarding.
What is the play A Christmas Carol?
Scrooge’s triumphant reversal of fortune certainly makes this show feel like a Christmas event, in the same way as George Bailey’s realization of how rich his life has been in It’s A Wonderful Life. But just like that classic 1946 Frank Capra movie, A Christmas Carol also delves into the darkest places of the soul, once Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late partner Jacob Marley, warning him not to follow his unhappy path and end up in a sorrowful afterlife. The ghosts that take Scrooge into his past, present, and then a grim future are hardly the stuff of light holiday fare.
As writer Daniel Tures notes in his article “In the Bleak Mid-Winter: Must-Read Ghost Stories for Christmas,” while we may think of scary ghost stories as being ideal for October and Halloween, they actually have a much heartier tradition around Christmas time. But why?
“Winter was a haunted time in ancient European cultures, when the door to the supernatural creaked open,” he wrote. “As the cold and dark gathered and the old year drew to a close, ghosts were likely to pay a visit, bringing unfinished business and warnings to the living. Through the centuries in England, Germany and Scandinavia, households would gather around the crackling fire on a snowy night to share bracing drinks and blood-curdling tales, especially at midwinter, the longest night of the year.”
Think about it: eggnog, Christmas gifts, a big family dinner — and Ghost stories! I like that tradition!
So does the Orlando Shakes’ artistic director, Jim Helsinger, who penned this faithful adaptation of the Dickens story that has become a staple of the community theater’s holiday offerings. And I can see why audiences keep asking for it to come back.
How is the Orlando Shakes’ Version of A Christmas Carol?
Energetically directed by Helsinger, the production is filled with irresistible charm, thanks in part to the commanding performance by Steven Patterson as Scrooge. He fully embodies a character we know all exceptionally well, but still manages to make him seem surprising, funny, sad, sometimes pathetic, and certainly lighthearted and jovial by the end. Patterson becomes a Scrooge we can scowl at, then happily root for.
This production incorporates snow, a towering and fearful Ghost Of Christmas Future, some expertly managed lighting and sound effects, and a superlative cast of 20 performers, children included, who juggle multiple roles with expert skill. With Jean-Marie Glazer providing sublime musical commentary as the cellist, the show is a marvel of theatrical professionalism.
Besides Patterson, Mark Edward Smith delivers some gripping chills as Marley, Jacob Romero does a fine job as Scrooge’s cheerful nephew Fred who hasn’t been tainted by his sour demeanor, and Timothy Williams is a comic delight as Scrooge’s long suffering worker Bob Cratchit. The entire cast, though, deserves kudos for their gloriously larger-than-life performances.
What I liked most about Orlando Shakes’ version of A Christmas Carol is their understanding, in the same manner as those ghostly storytellers of centuries past, that in order to experience the joy of Christmas, we first need to feel the fear — and be thankful the cold hand on the back of our neck has finally let go.
This is a wonderful family production. Go see it!
Where Can I See A Christmas Carol?
A Christmas Carol – 2024 runs now through Dec. 22 at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, 812 E. Rollins St. in Loch Haven Park. Call 407-447-1700 for ticket reservations or more information. The play runs for one hour and 50 minutes, with a 15 minute intermission.
A special Berry Christmas adult holiday drink is available during this production.
Michael Freeman is an Orlando journalist, playwright, and author of the book A Christmas Eve Story. Contact him at Freelineorlando@gmail.com.
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