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Touring group brings Scrooge to town
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FarkIn the Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s theatrical presentation of “A Christmas Carol,” audiences will again transcend space and time to revisit the Charles Dickens literary classic of kindness, redemption and the bounty it can bring.
Monday’s opening curtain in Rapid City begins the two-night show that features the caravan’s own Charles Jones’ adaptation of the Dickens novel. The language and story of the text are faithful to Dickens, but Jones moved the time of the play forward 40 years ” from 1843 to 1886, according to Steve Montgomery, marketing director of the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
“He did it to use the English customs that we know today, but also for costumes and setting,” Montgomery said.
The play reveals Ebenezer Scrooge’s miserly life and reclamation by introducing the audience to Jacob Marley, nephew Fred, his overworked and underpaid clerk Bob Cratchit and the three spirits who offer glimpses of Scrooge’s past, present and future.
The current production was originated at the Omaha Community Playhouse in 1976 and the caravan began touring the show in 1979. It has been presented to more than 2 million people. The caravan is the professional touring wing of the Omaha Community Playhouse, a partnership of a professional company and the nation’s largest community theater. The caravan has three touring companies that perform each November and December throughout the Midwest, the South and the East Coast.
“What they bring to Rapid City is the same quality of show that people will see in New York City,” Montgomery said.
Weaved into this show ” without it becoming a musical ” are the songs and dances that were part of English festivities and traditions of the Victorian Era. The songs and dances in the production create a mood and take the audience into the historical spirit of the time and place, he said.
In that era of debtors’ prisons, orphanages and workhouses, English carols reveal a slice of happiness and celebration as in “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “The Holly and the Ivy” and “Here We Come A-Wassailing.” “Susanni” (Alleluia), “Coventry Carol” and “The Other Night” add to the caroling program. The company drew upon English culture to choreograph traditional dances for the Christmas celebration of Scrooge’s youth as well as that of nephew Fred’s party.
A trademark of this production is the opening moment of the show. The audience sees a beautiful still life, a three-dimensional Victorian Christmas card that leaps to life after the curtain opens. Along with the compelling story, music, carols and dancing, audiences have the opportunity to make this production a part of their holiday tradition.
“It’s a Christmas gift for the whole family,” Montgomery said.
If you go
What: “A Christmas Carol”
Who: The Nebraska Theatre Caravan, touring wing of The Omaha Community Playhouse
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 17 and 18
Tickets: $35 or $45; 1-800-GOT-MINE, 394-4111 or www.gotmine.com
Where: Rushmore Plaza Civic Center theater
Adaptation by Charles Jones, original music arrangements by John Bennett, choreography by Joanne Cady, costume design by Denise Erwin and set design by James Othuse.
Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.
The Nebraska Theatre Caravan’s theatrical presentation of “A Christmas Carol” moves the story forward 40 years but stays faithful to the Dickens novel. It will be performed twice in Rapid City, on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 17 and 18. (Courtesy photo)
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