Children's Showcase is hosting Monster Theatre and their outrageous take on Dickens' A Christmas Carol in Penticton on Nov. 25.
"This A Christmas Carol honours Dickens' original work, but adds a layer of comedy, heart and spectacle that you wouldn't usually get in a traditional staging, said artistic producer and actress Tara Travis.
Two actors portray over 50 characters in this heartwarming re-telling of a Christmas classic featuring puppets, songs, dance numbers and flying ghosts that the whole family can enjoy. In addition to telling the familiar story we all know and love, Monster Theatre’s A Christmas Carol is also about a theatre company scrambling to assemble a cast for their opening night.
“We love the play within the play.” said Travis. “Yes, it's the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey through time to see the error of his ways, but it's also about the theatre company putting on the show.”
Monster Theatre’s enthusiasm and commitment to presenting classic stories to young audiences shines through in this production.
Each member of our company has a really special memory of the first time we experienced the wonder of a live production.” says Travis, “Those experiences shaped all of our lives, and it feels so good to think that we may be having the same impact on our young audience members.”
Filled with cheerful humour and Christmas cheer, A Christmas Carol delights audiences of all ages, and even provides a few willing audience members an opportunity to star in the show.
“There's so much silly humour and ridiculous fun in the show, but ultimately, like Dickens' original A Christmas Carol, it's about treating people well and sharing in the true meaning of Christmas,” said Travis.
The show is suitable for ages three and up. Tickets to the Nov. 25 performance at 2 p.m. at the Cleland Theatre are $12 at the door, or $30 for a series ticket (including two or more shows in 2013). The Children's Showcase Society is a non-profit organization which has been dedicated to making quality live performances accessible to Okanagan families for almost 30 years.