I’ve been biding my time, waiting for my kids to be old enough to experience the infamous and immortal tale from Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. It’s the quintessential tale from my holidays past, and it’s one of the best ways to get into the Christmas spirit.
We were able to do so this year, with an opportunity to take in the opening night performance at ACT. A Christmas Carol is a well-loved play in ACT’s canon – for 38 years now – and it’s not hard to see why. With its intimate theater-in-the-round setting (there’s not a bad seat in the house) and a solid and superb cast – led by R. Hamilton Wright as Ebenezer Scrooge on this occasion – we loved everything about the production. My kids loved it, too, with its lively specters and staunch portrayal of right and wrong.
There’s no doubt that chain-laden Jacob Marley – the first of the spirits to appear – is a loud and formidable one. It is necessary, as he has a very important message to impart to poor old Scrooge. I peeked over at my 8-year-old daughter with caution during his scene; she looked tense, but when he flew down into the ground upon his departure she exclaimed, “Wow … that was so cool!”
Any residual tension left her immediately when the first spirit – The Ghost of Christmas Past – appeared, with her glittery fairy wings and magic wand. My daughter considers her one of the best characters.
The second spirit follows suit, as his booming laugh reverberates around the theatre and glitter falls from the sky into his goblet. When the third spirit appears, we feel for Scrooge as he tries to repent for his bad ways. However, it’s only a matter of time before his goodness shines through in big doses.
Although I thought the Dickensian language would be difficult for my kids to follow, they were able to keep up just fine with the plot. They especially enjoyed the changes in Scrooge, and that Tiny Tim ended up being OK (who, by the way, is played by 8-year-old Cedric David Martin Wade, a poised little boy who elicits a delighted murmur from the crowd each time he speaks).
Children who are seeing the show for the first time might keenly feel the injustice of some of the incidents from Ebenezer’s past, present and possible future. So it was with great anticipation that I awaited the part where he becomes “light as a feather, happy as an angel and merry as a schoolboy.” Ebenezer did not disappoint, as he skipped giddily around the stage, relishing his second chance.
ACT recommends A Christmas Carol for kids ages 5 and older. You know your child best, of course, but I feel it might be better for children 7 and older. There were some little ones in the audience at our show, but they scooted onto their parent’s laps during the scary parts. Also, I wouldn’t advise sitting in the front few rows if you are worried. In previous years I was concerned that the apparitions might be too much for my kids, but at 8 and 10, they were a great age for this production.
The show runs 90 minutes with no intermission, so be sure to hit the restrooms before being seated. As many of us feel the budget crunch around the holidays, I will note that tickets are least expensive on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, except for the week before Christmas. In fact, make a day of it and take in some of the free activities and holiday lights in downtown Seattle.
My parents have several versions of A Christmas Carol they break out at the holidays, with Scrooge played by George C. Scott, Alastair Sim, Albert Finney and, more recently, Patrick Stewart, Michael Caine and Jim Carrey. We heartily discuss the merits of the different productions (as if we hadn’t done so every Christmas before). Now my kids can partake in this funny little pastime with us.
When asked what he took away from the play, my 10-year-old said to be kind, considerate and helpful toward others. That’s as good a holiday message as any. Head out to see A Christmas Carol and make this a festive holiday tradition for your family’s Christmas present and Christmas past.
IF YOU GO
What: A Christmas Carol at ACT.
Where: ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., Downtown Seattle.
When: Various performances now through Dec. 29.
Cost: Tickets for children range from $27-$42; tickets for adults range from $27-$100.
Contact: 206-292-7676; acttheatre.org.
Taryn Zier is the website editor at Seattle’s Child, the mother of two children, and a big-time Christmas Carol aficionado.
