Get into the holiday spirit early this year with “A Christmas Carol,” presented by the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts during Thanksgiving weekend at the Palace Theatre.
The time-honored tale by Charles Dickens will be brought to life by the Nebraska Theatre Caravan. This is a 31-year running CAPA tradition.
“This is such a consistent group and they have almost become a part of the CAPA family,” said Rich Corsi, CAPA director of programming. “They love coming to Columbus because they are actually here for four days where a lot of the cities they perform in they just go and do one day performances and then move on to the next city.”
The Nebraska Theatre Caravan is the professional touring branch of the Omaha Community Playhouse, which is the nation’s largest community theater. CAPA purchases the show through a booking agent who then creates the performance schedule. It is such a high quality production that CAPA has had no reason to change, Corsi said.
CAPA requests the same dates for the performance each year so people can enjoy Thanksgiving and then have all weekend if they want to come out and see “A Christmas Carol.”
It is a great way to kick off December and get into the spirit of the season. It puts people into a holiday state of mind that only comes once a year.
People come back and see the production again and again. It becomes a yearly tradition, Corsi said.
The production follows Ebeneezer Scrooge on his journey through the past, present and future and witnesses his transformation from declaring “Bah, humbug!” to wishing all a Merry Christmas.
Special effects such as haunted rooms with ghostly figures and a smoke-filled fireplace help transport viewers into Scrooge’s world. Artificial snow falling from the ceiling and backgrounds of old shops, bakeries and restaurants create an authentic environment that pulls the audience in.
“It’s amazing, every time you see the snow fall you just hear a gasp,” Corsi said.
Almost two dozen traditional Christmas melodies — including God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Away in a Manger — are performed by a live orchestra. The play lasts about two and a half hours, including intermission.
This is a production for all ages, Corsi said.
Around 40 actors, musicians and singers will be involved and Corsi estimates that between 8,000 and 10,000 people will attend throughout the three days.
The performances are Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 28 and 29 at both 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32, $27 and $22 at the Ohio Theatre Ticket Office or any Ticketmaster outlet. Palace Theatre Ticket Office opens two hours prior to the shows.
