Houston's Alley Theatre's A Christmas Carol Recap - #ChristmasCarolHOU

The Alley’s 30th production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL – A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS, re-opens the Hubbard Theatre. The show, a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL – A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Info: Houston’s seasonal favorite—A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

Website: https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/production-detail/christmas-carol

Date: November 24 through December 30

By: Charles Dickens

Adapted and Originally Directed by: Michael Wilson

Directed by:  James Black

Press Materials and Photos:  https://www.alleytheatre.org/press

Suitable for general audiences. (Age 6+)

Hubbard Theatre

Approx Run Time: 92 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

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Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” has been showing in the Alley Theatre for the past 30 years and it did not disappoint. The cast was amazing and the technical theatre was impressive. This is the first show performed at the Alley Theatre since Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, Texas in late August. The Alley Theatre was devastated. Nonetheless, the cast and crew worked tirelessly to make sure that “A Christmas Carol” would be ready in time for the Christmas season and it shows.

I have never seen “A Christmas Carol” live. I’ve only ever watched it on television. However, seeing the show on stage is beyond words and to be able to share the experience with my seven year old son for the first time will be a memory I will never forget.

Every single actor and actress on stage was amazing. The cast had amazing chemistry that shined throughout the production. My favorite parts of the show were the technical theatre. As a former thespian, I appreciate all of the moving parts that going into a production. I have a great appreciation for shows that find creative ways of transitioning and expressing emotion without speech.

All in all, “A Christmas Carol” was an incredible performance that shows the resilience that is the Alley Theatre. I hope to make this show an annual Christmas tradition with my son in the future.

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Houston's Alley Theatre's A Christmas Carol Review - #ChristmasCarolHOU

A CHRISTMAS CAROL – A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Houston’s seasonal favorite—A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

Date: November 19 (Previews) , November 20 through December 29
By: Charles Dickens
Adapted and Originally Directed by: Michael Wilson
Directed by: James Black
Suitable for general audiences. (Age 6+)
Hubbard Theatre
Approx Run Time: 92 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

Socials: Website | Facebook | @alleytheatre ǀ #ChristmasCarolHOU

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Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol will always be a classic. I remember seeing it every year with my family when I was younger, so I thought I knew what I was in for. The Alley has a wonderful and strong company of actors who never disappoint, most of whom have been around anywhere from 10 to 30 years, so you’ll see some familiar faces if you’ve been there before. Jeffrey Bean delivers a wonderful Ebenezer Scrooge with little touches of humor throughout. John Feltch doubles as Mrs. Dilber (Scrooge’s housekeeper) and Jacob Marley. His portrayal of Mrs. Dilber provided pockets of laughter during some heavy moments. I was particularly fond of David Rainey’s portrayal of the Spirit of Christmas Present. He has such a wonderful stage presence, and the spirit of the Spirit flowed through him.

Being that the story is a traditional holiday classic, it is the director’s challenge to make it feel new again and James Black was able to accomplish just that. The play opened with several beautifully costumed spirits who came out and danced, then reappeared many times throughout the show. The story didn’t change, but the presentation has been refreshed. (see my comments on the production below).

The Alley recently went through a major renovation and reopened around this time last year. I have seen a few plays since then and absolutely love the changes they have made. I feel like their quality of production has improved since the renovation of the stage areas, which is saying a lot since their productions have always been top notch. The stage was set beautifully with a bridge across the back and a landing with stairs on each side offering extra levels of visual depth to the performance. The wall behind the bridge opened up to allow for the grand entrances of the Spirits. Jacob Marley had an impressive entrance from the fires of ‘below’ coming up through the middle of the stage floor. But the Spirit of Christmas Present had the best entrance of the show. As the mid-stage wall opens up for him a curtain of gold foil confetti falls from the ceiling beautifully uniform across the length of the stage. It was a truly magical moment. Something I have always loved about the Hubbard stage at The Alley is how the actors enter/exit from all directions. There are several trap doors in the stage floor, as well as two paths that come out from the audience, so the coming and going of characters feels so organic.

I have nothing bad to say about this show except that very young children might be frightened by some of the spirits during the beginning, particularly Jacob Marley who was convincingly cursed. But I loved every minute of it, and truly enjoyed the production updates which made it feel new and different.

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Alley Theatre's A Christmas Carol Review - #ChristmasCarolHOU

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL – A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS
Info: Houston’s seasonal favorite—A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas returns this year with a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season.

Date: November 20 (Previews) , November 22 through December 28
By: Charles Dickens
Adapted and Originally Directed by: Michael Wilson
Directed by: James Black
Suitable for general audiences. (Age 6+)
Hubbard Theatre
Approx Run Time: 92 minutes with a 15 minute intermission.

Official Sites: Website | Facebook | @alleytheatre ǀ #ChristmasCarolHOU

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This week, I left the movie house for the theater house. I got a rare treat. The Alley Theatre in Houston sent over a family pack of tickets so that I could review their A Christmas Carol : A Ghost Story of Christmas, playing now through December 28th. And while, the tickets were complimentary, you should know that this is my honest review of my experience at the Alley Theatre.

It was a great time. I love theater. This was a fun experience. The theater hall was decorated for the holidays. There must have been ten different trees through-out. Really sets the tone for the holidays. I may have had a cocktail. Do not come hungry, though. The Alley Theatre does not have anything more substantial than pretzels or cheese crackers.

My family really enjoyed the production. I was a little worried about my nine year old because there are ghosts in the production. They are not overly scary, and the ghosts don’t roam into the audience. My nine year old was fine. There were plenty of younger children in the audience, and I didn’t notice any issues regarding scared children. There were also plenty of couples there without children. So, don’t feel like you have to take the kids.

The play was a lot of fun. The cast was enjoyable. I had a couple of issues hearing the Ghost of Christmas Past during the first act, but not so many that I enjoyed the production less. The pacing of the action kept my family’s attention through the entire play. If you haven’t been to the Alley Theatre recently, the whole thing has been remodeled. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. It is something to experience. Even if you don’t make it out to see A Christmas Carol, make it there sometime. There are more than a few family productions throughout the year.

#Houston Enter To Win Family 4-Pack To #ChristmasCarolHOU at the Alley Theatre!

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas

Alley Theatre presents the 28th production of A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas, by Charles Dickens, adapted and originally directed by Michael Wilson and directed by James Black. Michael Wilson’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol is a re-telling of Charles Dickens’ classic story, which follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey with the three ghostly spirits that visit him on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol instills a powerful message about redemption and the spirit of the holiday season. Family audiences can enjoy this colorful, comical, and music-filled production. Magical and heartwarming, this unforgettable theatrical production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas instills a powerful message about redemption and the true spirit of the holiday season.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/alleytheatre
Twitter: @alleytheatre #ChristmasCarolHOU
For more information: https://www.alleytheatre.org/plays/production-detail/a-christmas-carol
*recommended for general audiences; ages 6+

You can purchase tickets HERE to see A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas

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Don’t be a Scrooge this holiday! Enter for a chance to win a family four pack of tickets to see #ChristmasCarolHOU at the Alley Theatre

Giveaway Info:
One winner will receive a certificate valid for four complimentary tickets to one of the performances times listed for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Winner must choose from the dates listed and call the box office two days in advance of their selected performance date. Tickets are subject to availability. Winner will be mailed the certificate and must present the original certificate in person at the box office.

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