The Christmas Stories That Almost Weren't Come to Life in Kansas City
Scrooge, the Grinch, Clara’s visions of sugarplums and Linus’ reading of shepherds’ worshipping a newborn King—these are beloved characters of stories we’ve come to know and cherish at Christmas, stories that reconnect us with the true meaning of the holiday. They are stories that have inspired imaginations for generations, that make us laugh, cry and reminisce. And they are stories that were almost never told...
It’s almost Christmas, Charlie Brown!
This year is the 65th anniversary of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip, celebrated in November’s Peanuts film. One of the key reasons the Peanuts gang is still beloved by modern families is because of our deep love for A Charlie Brown Christmas, originally aired on television for the first time 50 years ago. CBS executives almost pulled the show over a variety of issues. They thought the program was too slow, disagreed with the choice to have children voice the characters and thought Linus’ reciting the gospel from the book of Luke would be too controversial. However, urgency won the day, and as they didn’t have time to come up with a new program to satisfy the commitment to sponsors, they reluctantly aired the program—which became an instant hit! The show was second only in ratings to Bonanza and went on to win an Emmy for outstanding children’s program. This year, in addition to reading A Charlie Brown Christmas (book available at local libraries or for sale at local Hallmark stores) and watching the holiday special, take your family to see the show LIVE on stage at the Coterie at Crown Center (TheCoterie.org), showing Nov. 17-Jan. 3.
Bah, Humbug!
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, originally published in 1843, is one of the most familiar holiday tales of all time. But it almost never happened. Dickens was at one of the most difficult times of his career. His popularity as an author was plummeting, and he was near bankruptcy. When he presented the tome, Dickens’ publisher Chapman and Hall refused to take it on, thinking it foolish to publish a book about a holiday that barely mattered. Lee Standiford writes in The Man Who Invented Christmas that before the mid-19th century, Christmas did not tower over all the other Christian holidays and was actually a minor holiday. Dickens was considered a huge risk and the topic of Christmas even riskier. Dickens decided to scrounge up the money to pay for the publication himself. He was so confident in the book’s potential that it was the only Dickens first edition to feature hand-colored plates. The entire run of the first 6,000 copies sold out on the first day....and the rest is history! The story is one of the best-known in all of literature and easily can be read aloud as a family in a few evenings. Kansas City Rep (KCRep.org) brings the mystery and magic to life with its 35th production of A Christmas Carol, this year at the magnificent new Spencer Theatre. The theater transforms into a page right out of Dickens with fabulous sets, costumes and special effects taking you back to Victorian London and the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his holiday ghost story.
He’s a Mean One, Mr. Grinch!
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! debuted on television in 1966. The book, published in 1953, was transformed into the television special by Chuck Jones, director of the classic. Jones tells in an interview with Emmy TV Legends how he showed the film to every potential sponsor he could think of—cereal, candy and toy manufacturers—and they all rejected the idea. Without a sponsor, there would be no Christmas special. Finally, the Foundation for Commercial Banks sponsored the program, much to his surprise, with the tag line “Christmas doesn’t come from a store.” Refused by so many, the tale finally made it to screen and has been loved by families ever since. Reading the story aloud and watching the original animated classic are favorite traditions for families. This year, take your little Who to the City Market (TheCityMarket.org), where he can celebrate Whoville Holidays. Snap a picture with the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who in the warmth of their humble Whoville home. Little Who’s can make Whoville-themed holiday crafts in the children’s activity area. Whoville Holidays will be open Saturdays (Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 12 and 19) 10:00-1:30. The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who will be present for photos 10:30-11:30 and Noon-1:00. Whoville Holidays is located on the north end of the City Market and is FREE, although donations are requested for the “Help-a-Who” campaign. Bring three canned goods for Harvesters OR a new, unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army.
Sugarplum Fairies Dancing in Their Heads...
The Nutcracker is one of the best known ballets of all time, a miracle because most productions aren’t given second chances. The show premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg on Sunday, Dec. 18, 1892, and audiences were sorely disappointed. The show was not a critical success either. The story and choreography were viewed as confusing, uninteresting and uninspired. In 1919, choreographer Alexander Gorsky staged a new production of The Nutcracker and rewrote several scenes. The show began to take on a new life. For years, the production made the circuit in Europe and, on Christmas Eve 1944, it was performed for the first time in the United States, by the San Francisco Ballet. The Kansas City Ballet (KCBallet.org) has been presenting The Nutcracker for years, but this year they are introducing a brand new production of the beloved ballet, Dec. 5-24 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Kansas City Ballet artistic director Devon promises “a traditional yet boisterous, adventurous and reimagined production,” and we can’t wait to see it!
’Twas the Night Before Christmas...
One of the oldest holiday classics did not face challenges making it into print, but it is not without controversy. The poem was originally published anonymously on Dec. 23, 1823, in the Troy, NY, Sentinel and titled “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” The poem had been sent to the newspaper by one of Clement Moore’s friends who loved the holiday epic. For years the poem was reprinted anonymously, because Moore, a professor, did not originally want to be known for writing a childish poem. Then, in 1837 Moore was credited as author and, in 1844, included it in a book of poems he published. At that time, many other writers were also claiming its authorship. Most historians now agree that Clement Moore is the author, but a few attribute it to others, including Henry Livingstone, Jr. The poem is still read annually on Christmas Eve by many families. This year, “The Night Before Christmas” is narrated by Mrs. Claus as StoneLion Puppet Theatre presents the tale with hand and rod puppets at local libraries. The Mid-Continent Public Libraries (see MyMCPL.org/events for a complete schedule) are hosting the event at various branches throughout December.
Kristina Light’s favorite Christmas story is found in Luke chapter 2.