A Christmas Carol at the Winnetka Community House Review – A Production You are Sure to Love

"Joy to the world" from A Christmas Carol at Winnetka Community House
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This year especially, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol seems to fill a void that has been increasing as the year has gone on. The very angry, very rich Scrooge, who eventually is lead to see himself as others do and make amends, feels very hopeful. This weekend you have the chance to experience a delightful, magical rendition of this traditional Christmas play.

Toby Nicholson’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption comes to life with magical ghosts, singing and dancing, plenty of “Bah! Humbugs!” and Ebenezer Scrooge’s joyful discovery of love in a production designed for audiences of all ages. Performances of Toby Nicholson’s A Christmas Carol take place Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and continue Sunday, December 3 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Matz Hall at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Avenue.  This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fantastic special effects, period costumes and dancing, great singing and acting and to contribute to future productions.

Looking at the young Scrooge

“It’s exciting to share the tradition of A Christmas Carol on the North Shore with a heartwarming production for everyone to enjoy,” said Nicholson, a professional actor, dancer and set designer, and former New Trier theatre director and instructor. “Our hope is to bring generations together at the Winnetka Community House, and entice even the youngest theatre-goers with the magic of Dickens’ classic close to home.

Nicholson directs a dynamic cast featuring local members of the community and professional actors, including Bryce Bashford, who made his debut in Nicholson’s production 20 years ago. Bashford played Tiny Tim when he was just seven years old, and will appear as Young Man Ebenezer Scrooge in this year’s production.

Scrooge as a young man

Nicholson has also created the set design for A Christmas Carol, which incorporates a professional Broadway-level theater projection system in Winnetka Community House’s Matz Hall that will transport audiences back to mid-nineteenth century London.

Published in 1843, A Christmas Carol tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, an uncharitable old man visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come at Christmas time in London. Through his enlightening encounters, Ebenezer Scrooge finally accepts a chance to redeem himself, and transforms into a gentler, kinder man who embraces the spirit of Christmas. The play features festive Christmas carols and dances that were popular in England during the 1800s and inspired modern celebrations that continue today.

Christmas future

You still have the opportunity to see this production. It is generously underwritten by the Hirschmann Family Foundation and Dr. Richard Hirschmann and Cathy Hirschmann, A Christmas Carol benefits the Winnetka Community House, with ticket proceeds supporting the not-for-profit organization.

Dinner at the Cratchet home

Performances of Toby Nicholson’s A Christmas Carol take place Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, and continue Sunday, December 3 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm in Matz Hall at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Avenue. Tickets for reserved seats can be purchased online at winnetkacommunityhouse website.

At the home of Scrooge’s nephew

Contact the Winnetka Community House at 847-446-0537 for details.

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Founded in 1911, Winnetka Community House is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of North Shore residents by providing educational, cultural, social and recreational opportunities for people of all ages.

 

Photo Credit: Photography by Lorraine Ryan

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