Another
Christmas Carol, you ask? Yes, but this one's different from
the Guthrie's 49th annual production, or even
the bawdy English Music Hall version at Open Eye Theatre. Just a few blocks away from the latter, a two-man version of the holiday* classic that relies heavily on audience participation can be seen in the charming event hall at
The Black Forest Inn for three more nights, with a few other shows happening around the state. Independently produced by two #TCTheater artists (originally produced and developed by the
Northern Light Opera Company in Park Rapids) who wrote, directed, and star in the show,
A Very Good Christmas Carol is a fun and interactive retelling of Charles Dickens' familiar story that mostly brings out the comedy and silliness, but not without a bit of the lovely message of community and redemption filtering in. As they say in the beginning of the show, it's not stodgy traditional theater, with a looser and more casual tone to the evening (which is not to say it's unprofessional). The audience (decidedly younger than those at traditional theaters) was having a great time, and it really felt like we were all participating in the storytelling in a convivial way that, despite the seemingly unconventional nature, really is in the spirit of the holiday.
You can get your tickets to the remaining Black Forest dates here (and yes, you can get a Bier and bring it into the show), and follow them on Instagram at @verygoodchristmascarol for information on other performances.
