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Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1315156
LARA JO HIGHTOWER NWA Democrat-Gazette E very idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding and buried with a stake of holly through his heart," declares Ebenezer Scrooge near the beginning of the Charles Dickens classic, "A Christmas Carol." As 2020 trudges towards its bitter end, surely there are a few of us who find the Christmas spirit as difficult to catch as does the crusty curmudgeon Scrooge. However, TheatreSquared's brand new retelling of the holiday staple might just be the prescription for the lingering anxiety many are feeling in the face of a global pandemic. After all, say co-adaptors — and T2 co-founders — Amy Herzberg and Bob Ford, the experiences of 2020 were at the forefront of their imagination as they tackled the new adaptation. "We were greatly influenced by many factors in writing this version of the play — the sense of isolation that has been brought into keen focus by this pandemic, the opportunity to look at one's life and see anew what is most important to each of us and a connectivity with others throughout the world," notes Herzberg, who also serves as the company's associate artistic director. "Our new adaption was prompted by a desire to respond to conditions of the pandemic, by scaling back the cast size from 12 to two," says Ford, who is artistic director. "But what started out as a necessity became, quite honestly, sheer delight as we, as writers, fell madly in love with these two librarians and the relationship that begins to flower between them. It may be leaner than last year's version, but it's got just as much heart — plus a whole new layer of fun as these two lovers of literature figure out how to act out this tale (for example, when one of them plays not only Mrs. Cratchit, but all the Cratchit children). It's a privilege to know that we can continue to tweak this play as the years go by and discover what most delights our amazing audience. One thing's for sure, there'll always be something new." While this year's adaptation still takes place in a Victorian London library, having only two actors in the cast means a great deal of the fun of this performance will be watching them tackle multiple roles. "The play follows librarians Mr. Heaps and Miss Trilling on Christmas Eve," says Herzberg. "A blizzard rages outside, a secret is exposed, and, together, the two librarians embark on a journey of discovery and redemption through the words DECEMBER 6-12, 2020 WHAT'S UP! 3 FAQ 'A Christmas Carol' WHEN — Dec. 8-27 WHERE — TheatreSquared via a high definition livestream COST — $20 INFO — theatre2.org COVER STORY A New 'Christmas Carol' TheatreSquared adapts but keeps all the fun Bryce Kemph plays librarian Mr. Heaps — and myriad other roles — in this year's T2 production of "A Christmas Carol." (Courtesy Photo/T2) Courtneay Sanders Irish plays librarian Miss Trilling — and myriad other roles — in this year's T2 production of "A Christmas Carol." (Courtesy Photo/T2) James Taylor Odom, who played Scrooge in last year's T2 production of "A Christmas Carol," has moved backstage this year to work as associate director with the script's co-author, Amy Herzberg. (Courtesy Photo/T2) See T2 Page 4