Tis the Season: A Christmas Carol in Durham, North Carolina

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is a classic. Chances are you’re familiar with the story, which has been turned into movies multiple times and has been performed live on stage by an abundance of actors during the holiday season. For sure you know it’s the main character, Ebenezer Scrooge, who coined the phrase, “Bah, humbug!” The story, originally written in 1843 as a novella, is rather dark, but have you ever seen it in comedy form?

Put on by the animated cast of characters at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) in Durham, North Carolina, A Christmas Carol is given its own sense of humor while staying true to the traditional story-line. And if you’re up to date on current events in the United States, the laughs come twice as often. Directed by Ira David Wood III (who also shares the role of Scrooge with his son, Ira David Wood IV), the light-hearted piece includes all of the original’s favorites including Tiny Tim Cratchit, Jacob Marley, the three ghosts, and of course, Scrooge himself.

The Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, North Carolina. Image source: DPAC.

If you’re up to giving a traditional classic a refreshing twist, Wood’s version will have you hooked. For instance, in his version, Scrooge was obsessed with Donald Trump, who happened to be the Ghost of Christmas Future. Scrooge also had hatred towards the Kardashian clan, and modern names such as Taylor Swift were also dropped. Though the plot stayed faithful to the original, the modernization of the story had you wondering which silly modern newsworthy celebrity or politician would be making the scene. To keep his nastiness up to date, Scrooge also de-friended his nephew, Fred, from his Facebook profile.

The American Tobacco Campus, located directly across the street from DPAC, offers much to explore before or after your play.

DPAC’s A Christmas Carol is a jolly Christmas treat. Located across the street from Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, a beautifully crafted village of start-ups, restaurants, and artistic scenery, the location is a wonderful area for finding a delicious restaurant before or after the play, and a delightful spot to take in the sparkling sights of the holiday season.

If you’re interested in catching Durham’s modernized tale of A Christmas Carol, or are interested in checking out a selection of other plays to warm your heart this winter, visit www.dpacnc.com for scheduling and tickets. You’ll be glad you did.