“Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster. The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him; he iced his office in the dog-days; and didn’t thaw it one degree at Christmas.”
— Charles Dickens’ description of Scrooge in “A Christmas Story,” first published in 1843.
Livestream performances of the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol,” performed by the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts, start Friday.
The play is a fresh retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge’s self-reflective journey from miserly wretchedness to merry redemption. It was adapted for the stage by Kendra Phillips, a Master of Fine Arts candidate in theater, and is directed by Craig A. Miller. The family-friendly play includes fully realized costumes, lighting and sound and will be performed online via Zoom.
The production features Professor David Lee-Painter as Scrooge. Real-life husband and wife Daniel and Rebecca Haley will play Mr. and Mrs. Cratchit. The two met during a theater production, and their daughter, Cordelia, will play Tiny Tim.
— Jennifer K. Bauer
IF YOU GO
WHAT: “A Christmas Carol,” livestreamed by the University of Idaho Department of Theatre Arts.
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 11-12 and 2 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Dec. 13.
COST: $10 for individuals, $20 for families, free for UI students. All 2 p.m. performances are by donation.
Register for a 6 p.m. show at www.uidaho.edu/6pmchristmas.
Register for a 2 p.m. show at www.uidaho.edu/2pmchristmas.
