The Guthrie Brings a Fresh Take to A Christmas Carol

Matthew Saldivar stars as Ebenezer Scrooge. Photo by Jenny Graham/Courtesy of the Guthrie Theater

A Christmas Carol has been a beloved annual tradition at the Guthrie Theater since 1975 (except, of course, in 2020). While the production is always well done, it is hardly unique, since various adaptations of Charles Dickens’s novella—first published in 1843—have permeated pop culture to the point of near oversaturation. Throughout my life, I’ve seen the animated version with Mickey Mouse, listened to the audiobook read by Sir Patrick Stewart, read it in the newspaper when FoxTrot used it as the basis for a week’s worth of comic strips, and enjoyed a number of movie adaptations, including Scrooged (the comedy with Bill Murray) and, my personal vote for the best adaptation of the story, The Muppet Christmas Carol. At this point, the idea of seeing another adaptation of A Christmas Carol, no matter how well done, almost makes me want to say “Bah, humbug!” Is there anything new to really be seen from the story?

Happily, the answer is an emphatic yes. With a new adaptation by Lavina Jadhwani and a new staging by Guthrie artistic director Joseph Haj, this version feels fresh and new. While it uses the language and conventions of Victorian England, it reaches beyond the Victorian gilding that many adaptations hide behind to instead look closer at the motivations behind Scrooge’s metamorphosis from miserly to merry.

First of all, the show is fun. Yes, at the core, it still is a story about regrets and redemption, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be funny. Matthew Saldivar, who stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, brings a dry and snarky feel to the character, which creates some amusing moments that are still true to the original text of the story. When coupled with Jadhwani’s use of the humorous bits that Dickens originally wrote in the novella, the show has more laughs than some other adaptations.

The script also encourages the sense of fun and energy. It makes good use of Dickens’s prose by using it directly as narration. However, rather than there being a single narrator, the narration quickly swaps between various actors, making it feel as if we’re getting the information by hearing it as a rumor on the street or gossip from a friend. The only place where it feels like this convention doesn’t work as well is during the Cratchits’ Christmas dinner, where the sudden transition from dialogue to third-person narration by the actors portraying the Cratchit family was a little jarring.

The celebratory feel of the show doesn’t mean that there aren’t some scarier moments—this is a show with some Christmas spirits, after all. The appearance of Jacob Marley (Charity Jones), along with the lighting that accompanies his visit, could be a little too intense for younger patrons. Additionally, the fantastic appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Future (Rush Benson) is spectacularly creepy. I was in awe, but, again, younger audience members could find it terrifying. The show is recommended for ages eight and up, but I could see it potentially being too much even for some kids a little older.

Scrooge and supporting cast of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Jenny Graham/Courtesy of the Guthrie Theater

There are more production changes in place in addition to the script. A fairly significant one is Scrooge’s apparent age: while most adaptations portray him as having white hair and being somewhat elderly, Saldivar’s Scrooge appears to be in his 40s or, at oldest, early 50s. This age shift provides a new perspective on character motivations. While an older Scrooge may be motivated to change due to a fear of what lies beyond his death, a younger Scrooge is motivated by the life that is left to be lived, which makes for a more satisfying story. Both the director and playwright have stated that they wanted to show Scrooge is a willing participant in his own redemption, and I feel that the de-aging makes that idea more apparent in the show.

Meanwhile, despite the significant number of changes, there are still some wonderful nods to tradition. Both Nathaniel Fuller and Charity Jones, the most recent Scrooges prior to 2021 (who both have a significant history with A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie), are present. Fuller portrays Old Joe with an ancient enterprising spirit, and Jones seamlessly slips into a number of roles, including the emphatic augury that is Marley.

Other impressive cast standouts are Regina Marie Williams as the Ghost of Christmas Present, who seemed completely self-possessed as she shepherded her mortal charge on a journey of discovery, and Isa Guitian as Belle, who made a character that often feels more like a plot device feel like a real person. Lastly, the children in the cast were so excited to be onstage and performed with an energy that really shone through. Everyone looked so happy to be performing again, but the kids took it to a new level.

Scrooge visits a Christmas party from his past. Photo by Jenny Graham/Courtesy of the Guthrie Theater

There were a few design choices that confused me. The set, designed by Matt Saunders, is less ornate than in the previous Christmas Carol. This utilitarian Victorian streetscape serves the production well, easily changing from the outside of a building to the inside with only a change in lighting. However, it occasionally opened up to reveal the bare stage wall in the background, which seemed odd to me. I was left unsure whether it was an intentional choice or a result of this production having fewer preview performances than would be usual. Additionally, the show began and ended with a lone, modern light on stage, and I wasn’t sure of the intent behind that presentation.

These two things are small, however, and don’t really detract from the excellence of the production. In all, this new version of A Christmas Carol is a wonderful new take on a stalwart favorite and is worth a view this holiday season.

If you decide to attend, note that the Guthrie currently requires either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test in order to attend performances. Masks are also required, with limitations on the types allowed. Additionally, all of the food and drink options at the Guthrie are currently closed.

A Christmas Carol runs through December 27, 2021. The show is approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes (with intermission), and does make use of strobe lights.