“It is hard to imagine a more popular writer in the last few centuries than Charles Dickens,” says Dan McCleary, TSC’s founder and producing artistic director. “Both during and after his lifetime. He was a rock star far before there were such descriptions. His literary hero was William Shakespeare.”
McCleary himself will embody Dickens and read the most famous Christmas tale of them all through the voice of the man who wrote it, as though it were December 1867, TSC’s Tabor Stage transformed into the Tremont Temple in Boston. A Christmas Carol: Charles Dickens’ Dramatic Premier Reading in Boston will be presented on stage (six performances) as well as simulcast online (with time-stamped “tickets” and password).
As presented by TSC, Dickens is making his second visit to the United States for a reading tour of cities. “The morning’s snow has been pushed aside, and carriages line the street with the swarming multitude angling to gain entrance for the evening’s event.” Dickens is to read his famous ghost story for the first time. Imagine hearing the name Scroooooge with no previous perception.
“I am struck by what spurred Mr. Dickens to craft what he called a modern-day fairy tale,” says McCleary. “The scandalously inhumane plight of children working in horrific conditions and missing formal education. While we can in this country draw a direct line between Mr. Dickens’ acting out his story and the celebration that Christmas has become for us, it was far more the priority for him to address the ‘Want’ of the world’s children and ‘Ignorance’ of the surrounding adults who permitted it. He annually still gives hope to all of us that we can positively alter both our lives and the good we might do with them as we respect our own past, present, and future.”
The Salon will be presented (at 8 p.m.) on December 4th, 12th, and 19th, with matinees (3 p.m.) on December 6th, 13th, and 20th. Seating will be limited to 54 socially distanced patrons. (Face coverings must be worn.) Tickets range in price from $15 (for students) to $25.
The online presentation will show only once via a one-camera setup on TSC’s web site (tnshakespeare.org). Digital tickets are $15.
To purchase tickets, call (901)759-0604 or visit tnshakespeare.org.