‘A Christmas Carol’ by Doris Baizley: A comedy for the ages

Once you reach a certain age, it goes without saying that if you get caught rolling your eyes at the suggestion that you must go see another retelling of the 1843 “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, then you are within your right to do so. 

I mean, the body can only take so much sugary holiday cheer before it rots the soul this time of the year. Need more proof? We have a “Bad Santa 2” now playing in the movie theaters. People need a pressure release that a cooked goose and foggy pudding just can’t deliver. 

Luckily, for those seeking a little creative levity this holiday season, our local theatrical company, The University Wits (TUW), will present at Dog Story Theater “A Christmas Carol by Doris Baizley.”

Unlike other stage and screen versions of Dickens’ tale that we’ve witnessed for nearly two centuries now, this new TUW production of “A Christmas Carol by Doris Baizley” has something sweet for lovers of the theatrical but also a gravitational pull of a treat aimed at those seeking something to tickle the funny bone.

This new adaptation still carries the thread of a story about  Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter curmudgeon who is taught a lesson in kindness and love by some unexpected and other-worldly guests.  But what sets Baizley’s version apart from all the others is that we are introduced to this popular story through a cast of traveling actors who are looking to stage Dickens’ story for the audience.

The production has one tiny problem when their lead actors are nowhere to be found, forcing the stage manager and the tiny prop boy to bring the play to life. 

And rather than blowing my perfect record this year by revealing plot points via a leaked spoiler (and thus end my chance at an Apple Watch 2 to be delivered under my tree this year), I am just going to say that “A Christmas Carol by Doris Baizley” is unlike any other holiday production around this year — so do not miss it. 


Admission:  $12 – $16