A Transformation through the Meaning of the Season (Hayswood Theatre)

A Christmas Carol Novel written by Charles Dickens Adapted by Patrick Barlow Directed by Allen Platt and Emily Trinkle

A unique, fun take on a holiday classic awaits audiences in the Hayswood Theatre production of A Christmas Carol.

Allen Platt and Emily Trinkle co-directed A Christmas Carol, which features a new adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic from Patrick Barlow. The story is familiar: The ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future visit Scrooge on Christmas in order to change his bah-himbug ways and find the true meaning of the season before it's too late.

The Hayswood Theatre production features a very simplistic setup. Scrooge’s bed, tables, chairs, a door and window, and hand-held props are brought on to an otherwise bare stage as needed. For appropriate comedic effect, even actors become the props like a clock or a sign holder. For extra comedic effect, the show came equipped with a few fourth-wall breaks that the actors expertly handled.

Speaking of the actors, there were only five principal ones. Rick Kautz played the bah-humbug man himself and was a delight to watch. Kautz gave Scrooge the appropriate sarcasm, a loathing of love, except for money, and a disbelief in the meaning of the holidays. This made Scrooge’s journey and transformation through the show much more satisfying to experience.

The other four, Mike Bittenbender, Heidi Platt, Rae Hester, and Patrick Yost, played the vast majority of roles, sometimes one right after the other. Each actor made great character choices that made each role distinctive from the rest. Of special note was Yost as Frederick, Scrooge’s nephew, whose kindness and warmth was the perfect counterpoint to Scrooge’s mean streak.

Meanwhile, The Dickens Youth Ensemble, a group featuring local school-age children, opened the show singing and moving to traditional Christmas carols. At various times during the show, they filled out crowd scenes and occasionally danced and sang as well. At all points, the kids looked like they were having a lot of fun. That, in turn, lifted the holiday spirits of many in the audience.

With all the wonderful talent on stage, Hayswood Theatre’s take on A Christmas Carol is a fun one that should not be missed.

A Christmas Carol Hayswood Theatre

December 4-14th 115 S Capitol Ave

Corydon, IN  hayswoodtheatre.org