A Christmas Carol

Past.  Present.  Future.   That which was, which is, and which may be. The busy holiday season with its many competing obligations is the perfect time for a bit of reflection on what we value most and what we can change before it is too late to change.  The Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga examines these timeless questions with its production of the classic A Christmas Carol. 

Based on the novella by Charles Dickens, the play follows the paranormal time travel of Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter, old miser whose stinginess is rivaled only by his distaste for the festivities, generosity and communion of Christmas.  So great is his resentment at being asked for donations to help the needy, or at the social expectation of giving employees a day off with pay, that Scrooge defines the holiday as “a poor excuse for picking a man’s pocket every 25^th of December!” 

Scrooge seems destined to continue in his self-imposed bleak and solitary life until the ghost of his former business partner pays him a visit to warn him of the dark fate that is to come if he does not change his ways. To appreciate what may be, Scrooge is given the gift of a glimpse back into his own humble but happier past and into the lives of those who find much happiness in the season and in life itself despite lack of money, material things, or even health.

For his telling of the story of Scrooge’s visits with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, Director Garry Posey chose a unique and entertaining adaptation by Janet Allard and Robert Bigelow Dixon.  Exploring the Scrooge that lurks within us all, the veteran cast includes familiar ETC faces Monica Woodlief, Ryan Laskowski, Liam Carpenter, Deborah Meeks, Tommy Goddard, Eric “Red” Wyatt, Ivy Meeks, and Taryn Bracher.  The play is stage managed by Tim Montgomery.

This is also a season of reflection for ETC itself as it returns to production after a ten-month hiatus and to a new stage.   “ETC is very excited to be producing again, and we are especially excited to be doing so in the beautiful new community space at Midtown Central, soon to be home of the Family Justice Center”, notes Posey.  “ETC has been proud to call the Midtown Community home for the last ten years, and we are pleased that we are able to continue bringing live theatre to this area through Midtown Central.  What a wonderful resource this building will be for all of Chattanooga and especially for the Midtown community.”

Performances of A Christmas Carol are December 3-18, Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 2:30 and 7:30 and Sundays at 2:30 at Midtown Central (the Family Justice Center) located at 911 Eastgate Loop, near the Brainerd Mission Cemetery.  Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students and may be purchased at the door or in advance at https://www.artful.ly/ensemble-theatre-of-chattanooga/store/events/10624.