Merry Christmas theatre friends! Today I have a quick log for you and it’s all about A Christmas Carol. Everyone who knows me knows how much I love Charles Dickens classic story of redemption and I usually try and see it as many times as I can during the holidays. Believe it or not I have already seen it 3 times this year and here are my thoughts on each of these productions

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL- CENTERPOINT LEGACY THEATRE, CENTERVILLE

First up I saw the musical production at Centerpoint Legacy. Centerpoint is such a wonderful theater with incredible production values for the very reasonable ticket prices and cost. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad show there and this is no exception. The sets, costumes, and performances are all first rate.

I really like some of the creative choices that director Maurie Tarbox made like she had Jacob Marley in the back of some scenes watching what was happening which makes a lot of sense given the story and was a nice layer. Also the ghosts are all characters that Scrooge interacts with before he’s visited by Marley. Christmas Past is a lamplighter, Christmas Future is a beggar woman etc.

My only real problem with this version is the music by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens is very uninspired. It’s fine but really feels like Menken took his Beauty and the Beast songs and gave them a Christmas facelift. There’s even an opening song where Scrooge walks through London “Street Song” similar to Belle’s opening number a song called “A Place Called Home” similar to “Home” sung by Belle. You get the idea. There even is a “Be Our Guest” ripoff called “Abundance and Charity” that somehow manages to bring a kickline and Christmas gifts into Dickensian England.

Personally I prefer the non-musical versions of A Christmas Carol over this one but they do a great job at Centerpoint and Nick Cash is excellent as Scrooge and Brett Klumpp is commanding as Marley. If a musical version sounds like something you’d enjoy it’s playing until Dec 19th and you can purchase your tickets here.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- HALE CENTER THEATRE, SANDY

Next up we have A Christmas Carol at Hale Center Theatre in Sandy. I was not sent to review this production as a critic but they did give me a VIP coupon to use which I put towards my ticket so technically it was comped. I have seen Hale Sandy’s production before and enjoyed it but felt it lacked the awe and spectacle I usually expect with Hale. Well director John Sweeney has shot some adrenalin into this usually safe show and made something much more memorable.

As opposed to the full musical at Centerpoint this version interweaves traditional Christmas carols like “Silent Night” and “Deck the Halls” into the scenes as well as a very talented violinist (Suzanne Chapman) throughout. Maddy Ashton also does an excellent job with the video projections and there are some cool visual effects with the ghosts by Jaron Kent Hermansen.

David Weekes is an excellent Scrooge and Anthony LeRoy Lovato brings the emotion out of Cratchit. The whole cast is excellent as is always the case at Hale. This production would be a great choice if you still want music but want more traditional songs than the Menken. It’s a very immersive and enchanting take on a classic story from Hale and I recommend it. It is playing until Dec 28th and tickets can be purchased here.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL- PARKER THEATRE, SALT LAKE

Finally we have my favorite version of A Christmas Carol at the Parker Theatre in Salt Lake. This never fails to wow me and I can’t recommend it more highly. What makes it the best is the wonderful in house adaptation they have that expands upon the classic story in just the right ways. I love that we see Scrooge interact with Marley before his ghostly visit and we see him with a bugger woman and refusing the pay the laundress. I also love they include little moments from the book like when Present takes him to see the men digging in the cave humming a Christmas carol.

Director Spencer Hohl has taken every detail into account with wonderful lighting effects and sound really giving it the feel of a ghost story. It’s tonally not that different from their recent The Woman in Black for most of the runtime which is refreshing and fun. Brinton M Wilkins is a younger Scrooge than we typically see but believable Lucas Charon is devastating as Cratchit. They also have an absolutely adorable Tiny Tim with Charlie Harris.

While the other two versions do have a musical component which is enjoyable this production at the Parker is my favorite. It’s so immersive and I left with tears in my eyes. That says something for a story I have seen so many times. The tickets are very reasonable and it is playing through Dec 24th. You can purchase them here.

These logged shows I pay for out of pocket and I’d love to do that as much as possible. If you have a show you’d like to take a look at and write a full review let me know. I also have my patreon which is a great way to support what I do and get some really fun perks. Find out more here.