ST. GEORGE – The Queen Victoria stage at the Dickens’ Christmas Festival brought to life a classic Charles Dickens story Wednesday evening as the “Dickens Theater Company” presented “Scrooge” – a musical version of the popular Christmas tale, “A Christmas Carol.”
A talented cast of performers sang and danced their way through the redemption story of an old miser named Scrooge who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve; the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.
Familiar characters like the adorable Tiny Tim, the effervescently optimistic Bob Cratchit and Jacob Marley, Scrooge’s deceased business partner, appear on stage in the cautionary tale about selfishness and greed.
The production is part of the Dickens’ Christmas Festival which takes place at the Dixie Center St. George, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive, St. George. The festival began Wednesday and will continue daily through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Guests are invited to take a stroll through the streets of “Olde London Towne” and witness the magic as the Dixie Center is transformed into a 19th century Christmas village where Queen Victoria is likely to be spotted and “Father Christmas” awaits to hear the wishes of every child.
“Our Father Christmas is so incredible that people have been getting their little ones’ pictures with him for years,” Dickens Festival Director Brittany Dell said in a news release. “I have my own picture sitting on his lap at 4 years of age and now my kids have their pictures taken with him. We all grow up but he stays the same — it’s magic.”
This year’s festival is of significance for the beloved Santa who became seriously ill after the 2015 festival. According to information presented at the festival, “Father Christmas” has made a full recovery and is once again set to delight kids young and old.
Visitors to the festival will be able to find unique gifts for Christmas as well as sample and buy a variety of foods. Entertainment can be found throughout the festival with roaming street performers, a host of area talent and two mini productions of classic Dickens’ tales “Oliver” and “Scrooge.”
“Oliver” plays nightly at 6 p.m. and “Scrooge” plays nightly at 8 p.m.
In August, auditions are held to participate in the productions and then the cast and crew rehearse until they debut the stories on stage, Co-director John Kessler said.
Much of the cast have been participating in the mini musicals for several years, Kessler said, adding that the cast has become a lot like family.
And they do it for the Christmas spirit and message that “Scrooge” in particular brings to the audience.
“It’s a wonderful story about change,” Kessler said. “People do change, people can change and for the better.”
The Dickens’ Christmas Festival continues through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and older), $5 for children (4 to 12); children 3 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.
Ed. note: Mori Kessler, St. George News senior reporter, performs as Jacob Marley in Scrooge.
Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
A delightful, youthful cast perfroms "Scrooge" on the Queen Victoria Stage at the Dickens' Christmas Festival, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
L-R: Paul Nickels as Scrooge and Mori Kessler as Jacob Marley perform on the Queen Victoria Stage at the Dickens' Christmas Festival held at the Dixie Center St. George, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke
"Scrooge" cast members perform on the Queen Victoria Stage at the Dickens' Christmas Festival held at the Dixie Center St. George, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Sheldon Demke
Aaron Stokes from Brigham City entertains with his Celtic harp at the Dickens' Christmas Festival, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
A "London Times" newspaper heralds the return of "Father Christmas" and provides information to guests of the Dickens' Christmas Festival, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Visitors attend the Dickens' Christmas Festival held in the Dixie Center St. George, St. George, Utah, Nov. 30, 2016 | Photo by Hollie Reina, St. George News
Event details
- What: Dickens’ Christmas Festival.
- When: Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 1-3, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Where: Dixie Center St. George, 1835 S. Convention Center Drive, St. George.
- Cost: $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and older), $5 for children (ages 4 to 12); children 3 and under are free.
- Dickens’ Christmas Festival: Website.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.
I will have plenty of time to see this. I don’t have to work for a living. I would like to thank all those involved in making this possible. this is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones.