Celebrating Dickens at Mid-Continent Public Libraries

There are few books I have enjoyed cover to cover over and over. Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, is one of them. I love attending live performances of A Christmas Carol, including Kansas City Repertory Theatre's annual production (a MUST see, read last year's review here), and Silver Dollar City's more whimsical show. For years, the Mid-Continent Public Libraries have been bringing the tale to life in an original way.

This week, Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles, presented a one-man show portraying the many characters in the beloved tale for a stage production of A Christmas Carol.  I took my older girls to see the show at John Knox Village last night and we, along with hundreds in the audience, were absolutely captivated.

The program was presented FREE courtesy of Mid-Continent Public Libraries. Avid readers know I am a die-hard fan of our libraries and love the special programs they offer (you do not have to be an MCPL cardholder or district resident to enjoy their programs!). Over the years, our family has learned a variety of ethnic cooking skills, attended puppet shows and concerts, animal programs and demonstrations, craft classes and workshops, and countless others. However, if I were asked to choose an absolute favorite program offered by the library (a difficult question to answer), I would have to choose the Christmas Carol program series. 

The story of A Christmas Carol may be one of the most oft-told stories of all time. Thanks to Hollywood, we have witnessed productions starring Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, CGI Jim Carrey, Kermit the Frog, George C. Scott, animated vegetables, and every other cartoon character imaginable, not to mention the countless made-for-television modernizations and renditions. 

The staying power in the tale is in its message. And, while I cannot deny a love for Mickey's version, it was heartwarming and nostalgic to see such an accurate and masterful performance as the one we enjoyed last night. Gerald Dickens, being a relative of Charles, clearly holds a personal passion for the story and he tells it with such realism, transforming from Scrooge to Marley, to each of the ghosts and characters including Mrs. Fezziwigg, using the simplest of staging and props drawing the listener and observer in to use their imagination and celebrate an untainted version of the story.

My girls, ages 8 and 6, are well familiar with the story, but I was apprehensive at their attention-span for a one man show. My apprehension was unfounded. Gerald Dicken's show was so captivating, they were both enchanted only whispering to me from time to time to translate some of the vocabulary.

This is just one of the great Christmas Carol programs offered at Mid-Continent Public Libraries this year, and we're very eager to participate in the next! You can register (FREE) to attend upcoming Christmas Carol events here including the Night before A Christmas Carol, "Join Charles Dickens in his study for a very special night. On this evening in 1843, he creates his holiday classic, "A Christmas Carol." Renowned Dickens scholar, author, playwright and lecturer, Elliot Engel has crafted a work that allows David zum Brunnen to portray the 17 "Christmas Carol" characters and Charles Dickens himself. Recommended highly by the Dickens family, MCPL is privileged to offer this performance to continue its Dickens tradition!"