“A Christmas Carol” MILWAUKEE Reviewed by Amy Menzel

*****This review is going to be chock full of numbers, which, if you know me, you know isn’t really my style. I’m an English instructor, so words are my jam. Numbers? Not so much. I’m making an exception here for a few reasons. To start, The Milwaukee Rep’s production of A Christmas Carol is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and that’s noteworthy. It’s a remarkable run, made even more impressive since a massive flood caused more than $7.5 million worth of damage to The Rep’s production center nearly four months ago. The entire set of A Christmas Carol was destroyed. Yet, seemingly undeterred, The Rep committed to rebuild and remain on schedule for the 2025-2026 season. And, aside from a brief mention of the devastating event and the tremendous efforts of the creative team prior to the show, you would never know.

The tradition continues with all the energy, elegance, and heart that has made The Rep’s A Christmas Carol a classic. It’s the fourth year in a row I’ve had the opportunity to take my niece, and I was thrilled when my sister told me that my niece tells all her friends that her auntie takes her to the show every year. Thrilled and, I’ll admit, a little nervous. She’s a tween now, so there’s really no telling how she might react to – well, anything. Would she still laugh at the opening jokes? Would she still be in awe of the elaborate set? Would she play along with the call and response throughout the show? Would she still smile when snow begins to gently fall in the house? Would she sing along at the end?

Dear reader, I didn’t need to worry. The answer to all of the above is a resounding ‘yes!’ The best was that she was still tickled by Matt Daniels’ embodiment of Scrooge, which, prior to the show, she told me was what she was looking forward to most. She giggled at all of his physical comedy antics – somehow even sharper and sillier (in the best possible ways) this year.

I lost count of all the times she laughed throughout the show. I did successfully tally how many times I got goosebumps: 4. Everything seems crisper and more vibrant this year, and I didn’t realize that was possible. It’s as if The Rep figured out how to bottle up Christmas magic. Then they pour it all out at the theater each performance. Bottle, pour, repeat – seems very Milwaukee, doesn’t it? And A Christmas Carol plays at The Pabst Theater. So yeah. It’s all perfectly Milwaukee.

So I guess you can say it’s bottle, pour, repeat now through December 24 at The Pabst Theater.

Once again, I resoundingly give A Christmas Carol ★★★★★ – only because I can’t give it 6.

Bring your tween niece, your Scroogey uncle, your best gal pal, or your adult kids when they’re home for the holidays. Make it an outing for all those families you’ve bonded with during terrible t-ball games last summer, or that group of coworkers who have become your friends. This season, give yourself the gift of enjoying this heartwarming holiday classic.

Purchase tickets at milwaukeerep.com.

The show is 2 hours and 10 minutes with one intermission.

Wednesday – Friday – 7 p.m.
Saturdays – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Sundays – 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Monday, December 22 – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 23 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 24 – 12 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

ASL performance – Wednesday, December 10 at 7 p.m.

Chicagoans, I promise this is well worth the trip. If you can swing it, book a room at The Saint Kate, and make it a little winter getaway. The arts hotel is running a special dinner & a show promo on December 11. If you can’t make that, I highly recommend making a pre-show reservation at The Studio Kitchen & Cocktails or grabbing a drink at the Bar after the show. (You won’t even have to walk outside to get to and from the show!) For more information on the hotel, its galleries, and other amenities, visit saintkatearts.com.