The most interesting thing to me about seeing A Christmas Carol is that, despite the story never changing, its relevance and impact change with the times. I relate to it differently, depending on what’s going on in my own life and, certainly, in the world. Besides being very entertaining, that’s what keeps me returning to Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company’s musical version again and again.
I love the things that are the same in the production every year; the gorgeous costumes, creative sets, the range of emotions from anger and resentment to fear to joy. And, I love the performances which, rightly so, take on a different feeling depending on who is portraying them that year.
This year, I had a new batch of ways in which I connected with the show, bringing real life into the story (which speaks to how universal it is). Let me give you a few examples.
Down the row from us was a mother and her three children ranging in age from maybe 9-13. The older two kept haranguing their younger sibling, swacking at him with their programs and belittling him (thankfully, this was before the show and not during). When the scene came on in which the Cratchit children are being kind to each other, I wondered if those kids, and other siblings in the audience, had at least a momentary thought of “Huh, you mean I could actually get along with my siblings and enjoy their company?” which was probably followed by, “Nah,” let’s be honest. Still, it’s really nice to see a family pull together to get through the day-to-day as well as the tough times, if only on stage.
Then, there were the big picture messages about selfish, cruel people; the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer; greed; living with regret and more. For me, it was impossible to not draw comparisons to our current political scene. If only a transformation such as the one Scrooge experiences was truly possible, who saw the error in his ways, what his cruelty has caused and discovered and practiced compassion for his fellow human beings.
Special shoutouts go to actors David Studwell (Ebenezer Scrooge), Geoffrey Kent (Bob Cratchit), Aiden Cole (Nephew Fred) and, especially Jess D’Souza (Mrs. Cratchit). Her delivery of anger over having to raise a toast to Scrooge, the “founder of the feast” is palpable. Always careful to set a good example and do the right thing for the sake of her family, in that one instance, she can’t hold her resentment back. I could relate, politically. Jacob Dresch as the Ghost of Jacob Marley was excellent in his frightfulness and mournfulness over his lot in life after death. I loved how much the audience startles when he makes his initial appearance and it gets me every time, even though I know when and where it’s about to happen.
I’ve missed the last year or two of A Christmas Carol at Denver Center so I don’t know when these things might have changed but there were several things that were different, for better or worse. The spirit’s voices heard in various places behind the audience was a great touch, surrounding us. And the flashing lightning during the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come had great impact. The only thing I missed from previous productions was when the Ghost of Jacob Marley would get pulled back into the pit by his chains. It was probably a dangerous move for the actor (do they have a cushy mattress below?) but, man, that visual was always really something to see and feel.
I will give a standing ovation every time to Denver Center’s production of A Christmas Carol for pulling us up and down, over and through so many emotions and realizations. And the very last scene with the snow? I love seeing and hearing the reactions of those audience members for whom it is new – like seeing your child open a gift they love. It never ceases to bring me to joyful tears, sending me out of the theatre full of the holiday spirit.
Bravo to Charles Dickens for writing such a timeless story. It manages to be fresh and new for each person, every time. And bravo to DCPA for giving us exactly what we need this time of year, every year.
A Christmas Carol runs through December 28, 2025 at The Wolf Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
-By Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher & Managing Editor, InGoodTasteDenver.com
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