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NEWS: Guthrie Theater to Film, Stream Virtual Christmas Carol

by Twin Cities Arts Reader -

Cast members in a past Guthrie Theater production of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Dan Norman.

The Guthrie Theater (Joseph Haj, Artistic Director) announced today that its holiday tradition of presenting A Christmas Carol is going virtual, as Dickens’ Holiday Classic. Inspired by Dickens’ own holiday readings of his work, which were wildly popular during his lifetime, this new adaptation by Joseph Haj will be captured using film direction by E.G. Bailey.

Unlike the normal after-Thanksgiving holiday show rush, Dickens’ Holiday Classic will be available to stream on demand from December 19–31. Tickets will be modestly priced – just $10 per household – and actors Ryan Colbert, Nathaniel Fuller, Charity Jones, and Meghan Kreidler have been announced for the cast.

Unusually, free school access will be available four days before the that of the general public. The Guthrie Theater will make Dickens’ Holiday Classic free to all K–12 schools beginning December 15. (Educators and administrators should register here for free access or email groups@guthrietheater.org for more information.)

“I love the tradition of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie,” Haj stated. “Dickens’ story represents everything we talk about in the theater: the ability to create community and the opportunity to be made better through the art form that we love. As a young actor at the Guthrie in the 1990s, I remember the first time I saw A Christmas Carol onstage. I was able to witness firsthand how much the play meant to our community, and I was powerfully moved by the production.”

He added, “Since theaters were forced to shut down in March due to health and safety concerns, there have been many losses and hardships, but it felt unimaginable to not uphold this beloved holiday tradition in what would have been its 46th consecutive year at the Guthrie. Though we can’t gather in person, we felt it was important to find a way to bring A Christmas Carol to our community when we perhaps need it most. We took the lead from Dickens himself, who adapted his novella into four staves, or chapters, which he performed in wildly popular public readings for more than 20 years. It gives me great joy to bring this timeless classic to life, using Dickens’ own performance script, with four incredible actors in an intimate, virtual medium.”

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The Guthrie Theater’s Dickens’ Holiday Classic will be available to stream to schools starting December 15, and to the general public from December 19-30.

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