It’s officially the season of A Christmas Carol and its many adaptations! Our theater partners across the United States are offering lots of festive performances for audiences to ring in the holidays with family and friends. Check out what’s playing this month. What do you hope to see?
At the Folger
This month we’re celebrating the season with our first Folger Frost Fair, a month-long winter festival with holiday music—Folger Consort’s A Mass for Christmas Eve through December 15 and a Holiday Singalong on December 13; free activities, including printing press demonstrations, history pop-up tours throughout the building, a book nook for story time, and even a special holiday seek-and-find for our younger visitors; special holiday décor, treats in the Quill & Crumb café, and complimentary gift wrapping plus 10% off in the Folger Shop December 20–22.
Playing this weekend only
Don’t miss these special performances happening around the country this weekend—just the thing to get you in the holiday spirit if you’re in Jackson Hole, Wyoming or California’s Livermore Valley or Los Angeles.
Off Square Theatre Company
Off Square’s student-run Off Square Players are back with Bad Auditions by Bad Actors, a comedy by Ian McWethy. Newbie director Carol has one day to find the leads for a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet. But what seems like a simple task proves impossible when the pool of auditioners includes extreme method actors, performers who just don’t know how to channel their rage, and one woman who may or may not think she’s a cat. Performances December 13–15.
SPARC Theater
Holiday Soiree brings a script-in-hand reading of short holiday stories including The Fir-Tree by Hans Christian Andersen to Livermore’s SPARC Studio. Keep warm with a DIY hot cocoa bar, an assortment of sweet confections, and a group sing-along. Livermore performances December 13-15, with a 7pm performance at the Front Row Theater in San Ramon on December 15.
Theatricum
The beautiful grounds of Theatricum transform into a Holiday Family Faire, an outdoor winter wonderland featuring an artisan holiday marketplace, special performances, festive food and drink, caroling, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more, from 11am–5pm. Followed by a special 5pm performance of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry with Ewan McGregor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Jim Beaver. This stage play adaptation of Frank Capra’s film classic is set at a live radio broadcast in the late 1940s, with actors playing multiple characters. December 14.
African-American Shakespeare Company
African-American Shakespeare Company’s Cinderella isn’t your typical fairytale. This gripping story follows the journey of a young girl who faces adversity with her evil stepmother and two wicked stepsisters. But with the help of a magical fairy godmother, Cinderella discovers the power of her own voice and follows her dreams. It’s an exciting and magical journey of transformation taking audiences on a thrilling adventure. On stage December 20–22.
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Rick Dildine’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to ASF.
Journey with Scrooge as he learns from his ghosts (and Bob, Tiny Tim, and the Cratchits) a heartwarming lesson in forgiveness and the change we can make around us.
The family holiday tradition (ages 5+) plays through December 29.
Atlanta Shakespeare Company
A holiday tradition for over 20 years continues with J. Tony Brown’s original adaptation of A Christmas Carol, now envisioned by ASC’s Director of Education and Training, Laura J. Cole—who got her own theatrical start in a production of A Christmas Carol in Athens, Georgia, where she grew up!
A handful of Shakespeare Tavern performers, with O’Neil Delapenha playing Scrooge, transport you to Scrooge’s London counting house that fateful Christmas when Ebenezer meets three ghosts and a certain little boy named Tiny Tim.
Some Dickens, a bit of song, and holiday cheer for all that Atlanta audiences have come to expect every December. Plus the Tavern’s made from scratch seasonal food and drink available 75 minutes before performances.
Performing through December 23.
Chesapeake Shakespeare Company
Gregory Burgess returns to the stage as Ebenezer Scrooge for CSC’s 10th year performing A Christmas Carol.
Set in 19th-century Baltimore, Maryland, this fresh take on the classic story follows a miser’s journey to discovering the real meaning of the holidays.
CSC Company Member Séamus Miller brings new life to Laura Rocklyn’s script, giving this beloved Charm City tradition a vibrant update.
Before the show, enjoy Family Fun Nights on December 14 and December 20 and a Choral Performance on December 22 acapella by Larksong.
On stage through December 23.
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
CSC’s holiday smash hit Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!) is back again for another season of holiday hilarity! What begins as another annual production of A Christmas Carol, soon devolves into a slightly irreverent (but undeniably adoring) look at all of your “Beloved Holiday Classics” including pop culture favorites like It’s a Wonderful Life, The Grinch, Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and more! Topical references keep this annual tradition fresh and fun sending up everything from Dickens to Dr. Seuss. On stage through December 29.
Classic Theatre of Maryland
Two holiday classics on stage this month: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, a musical adaptation of the beloved 1954 film, along with a Helen Hayes Award-recommended Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ classic story created to inspire a spirit of charity toward those less fortunate. Both shows perform through December 29.
Classical Theatre of Harlem
For one night only, immerse yourself in the warmth of holiday classics performed by Broadways finest in an intimate setting. Harlem Holidays stars Tony nominee Brandon Victor Dixon and is hosted by Tony winner Kara Young. This exclusive event celebrates Classical Theater of Harlem’s 25th anniversary and is dedicated to the legacy of Andre Braugher. December 16 only.
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Journey back to Victorian England and experience Dickens’ heart-warming classic story! Ebenezer Scrooge (Will Lyman, CSC’s King Lear), the infamous miser, is shown the error of his ways and reformed by spirits in one transformative night, discovering the true meaning of the holiday season. In this spectacular adaptation of the iconic tale by award-winning writer/director Steve Wargo, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is infused with carols from Dickens’ era in lush arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell. Playing through December 22.
Gamut Theatre Group
A trio of December programs beginning with a free reading of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion on December 17. Part of the Stage Door Series, members of the audience round out the cast with opportunities to read as well as listen. On December 31 in the morning, younger theatergoers can Count Down to Noon with the Popcorn Hat Players’ 32nd annual New Year’s Eve party for children. Enjoy a performance of Snow White and the Two Dwarfs, along with noisemakers, party hats, a Hawaiian lei, and even a balloon drop. In the evening, it’s Last Laughs, TMI Improv Comedy Troupe’s special New Year’s Eve performance with showtimes on the hour at 9, 10, and 11pm, with food and drink from Peggy’s Pub.
The Old Globe
San Diego’s favorite holiday tradition is back for its 27th year.
The Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage will once again be transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash for Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Playing through December 31.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey
Scrooge’s iconic journey from miser to humanitarian appears fresh and new in Neil Bartlett’s bold and highly-theatrical adaptation of A Christmas Carol.
Using a small ensemble of actors to bring the vast inhabitants of Dickens’ world to life (animate and inanimate alike)—everything from the merry Fezziwigs to Scrooge’s complaining lightbulb—this inventive production is sure to capture the imaginations of the entire family.
On stage through December 29.
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival
In Christmas Carol: The Remix, a laugh-out-loud musical remix of Dickens’ classic tale, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Hip-Hop Past, Present, and Future. As Scrooge is shown the path of rhythm and redemption, will he throw off his selfish chains and get down to the beat? Christmas Carol: The Remix mixes everything from reggae to rock, taking this beloved tale of love, forgiveness, and Christmas spirit to the next level. Best enjoyed by ages 12 & up. Through December 22.
African-American Shakespeare Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Atlanta Shakespeare Company, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Classic Theatre of Maryland, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Gamut Theatre Group, Off Square Theatre Company, The Old Globe, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, SPARC Theater, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, and Theatricum are members of the Folger’s Theater Partnership Program.
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