When Charles Dickens wrote his 1843 novella "A Christmas Carol," it became an immediate sensation and spurred Victorian England's and then, America's, revival of Christmas as a festive holiday. Since the rule of dour Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), it had been a rather somber day.
Coincident with the publication of "A Christmas Carol," Prince Albert (Queen Victoria's husband) introduced Christmas cards and trees, all of which (including the novel's meal of roast turkey) locked in traditions we still roll out.
The story of Ebenezer Scrooge, the central character of "A Christmas Carol," a miserly misanthrope, is one of redemption. Or, as we'd say today, he has a compete makeover. When he gets a glimpse of what lies in store if he continues being so mean, it's a game changer. His transformation comes about courtesy of three stunning ghosts, the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future. Kids will love watching Scrooge's before and after, seeing the story's scenes of Victorian England and hearing the two dozen traditional Christmas carols incorporated in "A Christmas Carol" on stage at New Haven's Shubert Theater. It runs from November 26-28. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15-$42.
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