Much like The Nutcracker, the holidays always bring around multiple productions of A Christmas Carol. One of the most enduring productions in our area is the annual production at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Repertory. This year marks the 40th anniversary of their very popular production of Charles Dickens’ holiday story. SCR’s A Christmas Carol will be performed through December 24th.
Certainly you don’t need to be reminded of the story here, do you?
This being the 40th anniversary production would seemingly be the big news. More important is word that Hal Landon, Jr., who has wonderfully portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge for all 40 years, is ending his run as the notoriously mean-spirited and miserly character at the end of this production.
When I interviewed him in 2013 for Los Angeles Magazine, he was then in his 34th year in the role. I asked him how much longer he would continue in the part. This was his response:
“I don’t know. As long as I’m physically able, I’ll probably keep doing it. While the repetition has been good in terms of my familiarity with the lines, the blocking, and the technical elements, it also allows the mind to wander. What I’m trying to work on is being in the now. That’s what my focus has been this year.”
This is truly the end of an era for South Coast Rep and for the audiences who flock to this production year after year. If you aren’t one of those who has seen Landon in this part, the meter is definitely ticking. Be sure you get there before this final opportunity disappears.
For tickets go here.
Photo: Richard Doyle, Hal Landon Jr. and Kimberly Scott in A Christmas Carol (Photo by Jordan Kubat)
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