**** “A Christmas Carol” is indeed a story that has been around for a long time. There are several film versions, stage versions, adaptations and even a sort of animated/paper puppet show called “Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol” which is making a return visit to Writer’s Theatre in Glencoe. This is a 70 minute that retells the story in a unique fashion. Aunt Trudy ( a delightful performance by LaKecia Harris) is taking over for her “boyfriend” Joe and his annual story to his family and friends as he has passed away. Uncle Joe, due to Covid, has set up a camera while people were staying home to tell his version of Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol”. He has built a stage of sorts and has made lots of “paper puppets” that he uses to tell the story. Trudy, in order to keep his memory alive, is doing the show in his stead.
I must tell you that the combination of musicians ( Teiana Davis/piano- Lucy Little/violin and Kyle Vegter/cello/keys) and their added vocals along with the amazing work by puppeteers Lizi Breit, Julia Miller and Jeffrey Paschal ( who also plays the pizza delivery guy ) is also keen to this production having the power it does.
The stage is a stage area with lots of boxes surrounding the area. The boxes are filled with cardboard pieces that will be used in the telling of the tale so it is of great importance that the puppeteers find the right unit at the right time. If not, disaster!
On the back wall, a giant screen so that every seat can watch the story unveil and never miss the action. This is a rare combination of quality theater with wonderful music and projections that in a special way form a movie of sorts ( thus the the name Cinema) The message of the Dickens classic is easy to learn and in this shortened version with the clever presentation, young people will be glued to their seats. I think a few older people who are not into theater , may at last find a way to enjoy the most wonderful media there is, live Theater! Writers went with this due to Covid, and even through the threat is far less, opted to bring it back. I for one thank them for doing so. This is a treasure.
“Manual Cinema’s Christmas Carol” will continue Thru 12/24 with performances as follows:
Thursdays 7:30pmFridays 7:30pm
Saturdays 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Sundays 2:00pm
Wednesdays: December 13th and 20th at7:30pm
Friday, Dec 22nd additional 3:00 pm performance
Writers Theatre is located in Glencoe at 325 Tudor Court
Price: $35-$90
Show Type: Comedy/Drama
Box Office: 847-242-6000
or visit www.wrtierstheatre.org
Running Time: 1hr, 20mins
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Manual Cinema’s Christmas carol”.
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