It’s time for families and friends to come together and enjoy Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, live on stage. Walnut Street Theatre (WST) for Kids’ heartwarming hour-long musical adaptation of Dickens’ classic novel runs through December 23.

I had the pleasure of watching a performance last weekend with family. Audiences are transported to 1840’s London, where they meet Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter old man who greets holiday cheer with a “Bah, Humbug.” However, on one unforgettable Christmas Eve, he is visited by three ghostly spirits determined to change old Scrooge’s ways forever. Traveling through his past, present, and possible future, Scrooge is awakened to the magic of Christmas and truly learns what the holiday season is all about: family, generosity and love.

Filled with joy, laughter, and whimsical spirits, WST for Kids’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL stands not only as a Walnut favorite, but also as a Philadelphia tradition. Now in its 19th year, the production has been updated with a fresh new set designed by Brian Froonjian to ensure the scenery provides a new experience for audiences.

This year’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL production is directed and written by Walnut veteran Bill Van Horn, who recently directed Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery and last season’s production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He has also appeared on stage in Baskerville, and numerous other Walnut productions, including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Story, Mary Poppins, Elf, and Fiddler on the Roof.

Benjamin Lovell, a Philadelphia actor who has previously performed at the Walnut, The Arden, and the National Tour of Beauty and the Beast, plays the role of the “bah-humbugging” old man, Ebenezer Scrooge. He is joined by Oliver Shevlin, a second-grader and Devon, PA resident, who will make his Walnut and acting debut as Tiny Tim.

Joining Lovell and Shevlin on the stage are Michael Fuchs, Nate Golden, Ella Hampton, Fionnaula Meister, Hannah Fink, Eli Lynn, Aanand Shah, and Liam Mulshine all of Philadelphia, PA; Rachel DeMasi of Sewell, NJ; Sammi Deutsch of Wyndmoor, PA; and Charles Lamonaca of Folsom, PA; Catherine Purcell of Norristown, PA; and Christian Tuffy of Huntingdon Valley, PA. Current Walnut acting apprentices Blake Lowry, Kahlil Wyatt, Taylor Mitchell, and Katie Raulerson complete the cast.

For students, Walnut Street Theatre’s Education Department helps to transform Dickens’ powerful and magical story into a memorable educational experience. In addition to giving students the opportunity to see the novel they’ve read spring to life right before their eyes, the Walnut provides teachers with free online study guides to spark meaningful conversation about the show before students enter the theatre. Exploring the content of the story in the classroom not only further engages students but also adds excitement to the experience of seeing the familiar characters and period fashion and hearing the bright holiday music of A CHRISTMAS CAROL on stage.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL has remaining family matinee performances on December 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21 at 10:30am. For tickets and information, please call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets can also be purchased at the Walnut ticket office, online at Ticketmaster, or by visiting the Walnut’s website at walnutstreettheatre.org.

Image: Photo courtesy of the Walnut Street Theatre.