The reviews are in for Guthrie’s ‘A Christmas Carol’
Guthrie's A Christmas Carol is now in its 38th year. While this year features much the same cast and set as last year, critics seem happier with this year's production.
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J.C. Cutler is Ebenezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol"
Photo by Michael Brosilow
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From Rohan Preston at the Star Tribune:
Jay Albright's impishly joyful and light-footed Fezziwig seemed more bountiful and ready to dance. J.C. Cutler's bah-humbugging Scrooge seemed more open to the redemption of his tightly closed soul. Cutler's Scrooge was itching to offer advice as he watched his younger self (played with promising generosity by Paris Hunter Paul) make bad decisions. And Maloney's Ghost of Christmas Past seemed more beneficent as she helped Scrooge's heart grow.
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J.C. Cutler (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Bob Davis (Jacob Marley) in the Guthrie Theater's production of "A Christmas Carol"
Photo by Michael Brosilow
From Dominic P. Papatola at the Pioneer Press:
Like many Twin Cities theatergoers, I've seen "Christmas Carol" a gazillion times, but each year, I inevitably come across a new truth or two about the Dickens tale and the Guthrie's take on it. Sitting in on this year's iteration, I was again struck by the sturdy timelessness of the source material: My 11-year-old theatergoing companion -- who is on her third Guthrie "Christmas Carol" -- best summed up the strength of the story: "I know the play, but every time, I still get a little scared by Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Past and I'm still happy when Scrooge turns into a good guy at the end."
Maybe it was that burst of adrenaline, or the work of new director Joe Chvala, but this year's edition of the venerable Guthrie holiday show seemed to crackle with more energy than last year's rather dreary exercise.
A Christmas Carol runs through December 29. Have you seen this year's production at the Guthrie? How does it compare to past years?