Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol
During Covid, Writers Theatre, seeking to continue producing quality productions, staged this adaptation of Dickens's classic ghost story. Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol is a refreshing new twist on the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, seen through a widow's eyes. It passionately portrays heartbreak, loneliness, and the loss of a loved one during the pandemic. The story centers around Aunt Trudy (LaKecia Harris), who begrudgingly puts on a Zoom puppet show rendition of Dickens' "Christmas Carol." Trudy's partner, Joe, who passed, would annually perform the production for family and friends. However, Trudy, absorbed in her anger and frustration over losing Joe and the turbulent past of him not completing a single task in the restoration home they purchased nor marrying her after six years, transforms into a parallel version of Ebenezer Scrooge and becomes part of the puppet production. She is no longer fond of Christmas and unsure where she fits with Joe's family and friends, so she lashes out against them during the Zoom staging. Still, when the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future visit her in her house in Chicago, Trudy Zoom's call brings the beloved ghost story to life in a breathtaking cinematic adaptation that will captivate audiences.
Founded in 2010 by Drew Dir, Sarah Fornace, Ben Kauffman, Julia Miller, and Kyle Vegter, the company's exceptional cinematic and theatrical storytelling has won them a News and Documentary Emmy Award. Manuel Cinema's new Christmas Carol creative format skillfully combines live performances using vintage overhead projectors, multiple screens, puppets, actors, live-feed cameras, multi-channel sound design, and a live music ensemble. The cast, led by LaKecia Harris (who excels as Trudy), features Lizi Breit, Julia Miller, and Jeffrey Paschal as puppeteers and the music ensemble of Teiana Davis, Lucy Little, and Kyle Vegter. The performance effortlessly projects images onto a larger screen while ghostly characters tantalize emotions with outstanding puppetry. This play contains adult language, so be prepared to cover your kids' ears. The story follows the timeline of Christmas 2020, during a global quarantine, and incorporates Dickens' themes of redemption and social injustice. It also explores the sadness and loneliness that comes with missing loved ones.
Surprisingly, this 70-minute story was so entertaining that I never thought back to the horrible days of Covid until writing this review. How painfully silent Christmas day felt, and how melancholy my soul felt when thinking of lost family and dear friends on Christmas Eve. I am glad the Manuel Cinema cared enough to share this remarkable shadow puppetry, Christmas Carol. It's an unforgettable and exhilarating holiday story.
3 STARS ***
Writers Theatre
Manual Cinema's Christmas Carol
Adapted from the novel by Charles Dickens
Devised by Manual Cinema
Additional Writing by Nate Marshall
Playing now until December 24, 2023
Click above to purchase tickets and below to see reviews.
