Photo by Dan Norman
You can judge the season by those distinctly Minnesota catch phrases you exchange with strangers: “Cold enough for you,” “Go Vikes,” and if you’re anywhere near the Guthrie these days, you might hear my seasonal favorite “Bah Humbug!” Once again, the Guthrie has mounted “A Christmas Carol,” now in its 51st year. Like a classic holiday movie we stream every year, this production sets the mood and signals the holidays are upon us. On a deeper level, it reminds us that compassion and empathy are essential for our fellow humans, known and unknown to us.
David Beach returns in his second year as Ebeneezer Scrooge. He embodies everything we want in a Scrooge, from the mutton chops to miserliness. Remarkably, Beach brings gentle humor to his “humbug” through this redemptive journey. His performance is multi-level and gives us a range from grief and self-loathing to sheer generosity and glee. As Scrooge’s trio of Spirits each brings their own nuances to roles as familiar to us as a cherished distant relative we see once a year at the holiday.
Photo by Dan Norman
The ensemble acts as spirits in their own right, gliding in and out of Scrooge’s journey in memory and the present. John Catron, as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, once again delights as the enthusiastic family member desperate to mend his familial bond. He reminds us all to honor those who are not with us as we gather for holiday festivities. Stephanie Anne Bertumen positively sparkles as Belle. From her aching heart in a love lost to her found love with another, hers is a Belle we root for and wish only the best.
Lavina Jadhwani’s adaptation is faithful to the Dickens novella, standing as a masterclass in theatrical storytelling, preserving the nuanced themes of compassion and social accountability. Like many a Guthrie production, this one is lavish to look at as it whisks us across London and time itself all in just under two hours.
Start your evening in the Guthrie Gift Shop and do a little gift shopping for the theater lover on your list. Be sure to stop by the Target Lounge, festooned as Fezziwig’s Holiday Party with themed mocktails and more “spirited” drinks. Don’t miss out on a divine ginger cookie from the Chow Girls.
Photo by Dan Norman
Through deed and a bit of Guthrie magic, this is a mature evening of theatre rooted in a story we all know. The takeaway from an evening with the Dickens classic is that it holds a mirror to society. The final lesson of the evening is simply that redemption is always possible. Think about that as you glide down the Guthrie escalator and gaze up at your fellow Minnesotans.
