On Sunday, Dec. 18, I attended a performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis at Webster University. I didn’t have very high expectations going in because I figured it would be just another student production. I know student productions aren’t always the greatest, but I was excited to see people do what they love and tell a classic Christmas story. 

I was shocked at the incredible quality of the show. Everything from Jacob Marley’s ghost flying 20 feet in the air to the interpretive dancers that switched out the set design was done fantastically. The adaptation of the story stuck fairly close to the original Dickens, with only a few changes. For example, instead of simply being a mean accountant, Ebeneezer Scrooge was a debt collector who, at the beginning of the play, collected “back payment” in the form of personal items from three people who represented the three ghosts (and were played by the same people). As with most theater productions, a few people played multiple parts. I particularly liked that the same actor played young Scrooge and his nephew, Fred, and the same actress played their respective love interests. Whether this was on purpose or for lack of actors, I don’t know. However, I liked that it showed the connections between the young, happy Scrooge and the young, happy nephew he so despises. 

Overall, the production was great. The acting, costumes, set design, and a few musical numbers were done very well, although the Hamilton-esque rap number in the middle of “Christmas Present” was a bit out of left field. I had a great time and it felt good to support a local show.