‘A Musical Christmas Carol’ at Pittsburgh CLO (Thurs., 12/19/24)

A MUSICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL by David H. Bell, from the Dickens story. Pittsburgh CLO. December 13 – 22. 

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is considered schmaltz by some and high art by many others. In Japan, the novella has been viewed as one of the great works of English literature—“possibly in a league with Hamlet,” as one Japanese scholar wrote. Famous actors who’ve played Ebenezer Scrooge range from Basil Rathbone to Jim Carrey, and, memorably, Michael Caine in The Muppet Christmas Carol, with Kermit and Miss Piggy as Bob and Mrs. Cratchit. In Pittsburgh CLO’s production of A Musical Christmas Carol, Scrooge is played by Charles Shaughnessy, a veteran of numerous network TV shows. The stage adaptation of the story is by David H. Bell, best known for Hot Mikado, the jazzed-up remake of The Mikado. There’s no bebop in A Musical Christmas Carol, but Bell has added some scenes that help to fill out Dickens’ original story nicely. 7 p.m.  Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Cultural District. (M.V.)

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