A Holiday Tradition: A CHRISTMAS CAROL with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater at the Pabst Theater

Milwaukee Rep presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the historic Pabst Theater, November 26-December 24, 2019. Photo by Michael Brosilow.

By Mary Boyle

Now in its 44th year, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is the second-longest, continuous running professional production of Charles Dickens' iconic novella in the country.  The show is a part of the holiday traditions of dozens of area families, but has also become a tradition for several of Milwaukee's finest actors, who continue to return to the production, year after year.  For those who have yet to experience it, perhaps this is the year to go and see why this particular story—a Christmas ghost story published in 1843—continues to enchant audience and actors, alike. 

A Christmas Carol, of course, is the tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge, a mean and miserly old man who runs a counting house in Victorian London with his single, ill-treated employee, the good-natured Bob Cratchit.  On the night before Christmas, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his former partner, Marley, who warns Scrooge that he will be doomed to his same terrible fate in the afterlife if he does not change his ways.  To help him, Marley tells Scrooge he will be visited by three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Future.  The spirits, by reminding him of his past mistakes and showing him what his future will be if he continues on his path, teach Scrooge a lesson about the true Spirit of Christmas.  

Mark Clements, the Rep's Artistic Director, who returns to direct this season after giving Associate Director Leda Hoffmann a chance last year, unveiled his version of this classic four years ago, featuring an astounding rotating set design by Todd Edward Ivins, all new costumes by Alexander B. Tecoma, and a new audience participation aspect, which has been dialed back a bit in the following seasons to be less obtrusive.  Clements' version highlights the ghost story aspect of the tale and may be too loud and scary for very young audiences.  There are several parts of the play that have a horror-movie quality to them, such as when the ghost of Marley makes his entrance and just about everything involving the Ghost of Christmas Future.  In my humble opinion, it is still more scary than necessary for a family holiday production; if your children are overly sensitive to brightness and noise, or creepy visuals, you may want to wait before taking them on the journey with Scrooge and stick to The Muppet Christmas Carol, instead.  That being said, that same quality can be attractive to more mature audiences, and may keep your teenagers in their seats.

Still, Jonathan Wainwright is excellent as Dickens and Scrooge, and I absolutely adore Angela Iannone in all of her roles (Mrs. Fezziwig, Assistant to Dickens, Charitable Worker and Mrs. Dilber); she is simply a delight to watch.  Reese Madigan, Todd Denning, James Pickering, Rána Roman, Christopher Peltier, and Mark Corkins reprise their roles as Bob Cratchit, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Mr. Fezziwig/Charitable Worker, Mrs. Cratchit, Young Scrooge/Assistant to Dickens, and the Ghost of Marley, respectively.  The biggest change this year is Tami Workentin in the role of Ghost of Christmas Past, which was quite different from Deborah Staples, who has played the role for the past several years.  Also new this year, DiMonte Henning in the role of Fred, Scrooge's nephew, which worked well. 

All in all, a delightful cast and still a magical performance that can't help but put one in a Christmas mood, between the red and gold beauty of the historic Pabst Theater and the beautifully sung Christmas Carols.  If you have yet to make this production a part of your Christmas tradition, give it a try.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL runs through December 24th at the historic Pabst Theater, located at located at 144 E. Wells St. in downtown Milwaukee.  Tickets can be purchased by calling (414) 224-9490, in-person at the Box Office at 108 E. Wells, or online at www.MilwaukeeRep.com.

This year Milwaukee Rep’s A Christmas Carol Families Program, which raises funds for under-resourced families during the holiday season through audience donations at every performance of A Christmas Carol, will benefit families connected with Rep Mpact Pillar Partner COA Youth & Family Centers. For over 100 years, COA Youth & Family Centers has helped low income children and families in Milwaukee reach their greatest potential through its educational, recreational and social work programs. As part of the A Christmas Carol Families Program, Rep staff and volunteers will use the collected donations to purchase and deliver holiday gifts for families served by COA Youth & Family Centers. Remaining funds collected will be donated to COA Youth & Family Centers to support their efforts in the community. In past years, Milwaukee Rep has raised over $40,000 annually toward the program, benefiting such vital Milwaukee organizations as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Journey House, La Causa, Next Door Foundation, Running Rebels, Sojourner Family Peace Center, United Community Center and more. 


Holiday Events
The following events and guest appearances featuring A Christmas Carol cast members are unique previews of this year’s full production and offer the chance to enjoy the music of the season and snap some festive photographs!  
Christmas in the Ward
Friday, December 6 at 5:30pm
Historic Third Ward, Milwaukee, WI
Fireworks, Santa and live reindeer kick off the festive month in Milwaukee’s historic Third Ward. This event is free and open to the public. 
Breakfast with Santa at the Pfister Hotel
Sunday, December 8 at 8:00am
Pfister Hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Dine with Santa in The Pfister’s festive ballroom while traditional holiday carols play in your ears. 
Milwaukee Public Market
Wednesday, December 11 at 12:00pm
Milwaukee Public Market, 400 N. Water Street, Milwaukee, WI
Grab lunch or do some holiday shopping at this Third Ward hotspot as you are serenaded by Milwaukee Rep Carolers. 
Christkindlmarket Milwaukee
Thursday, December 12 at 4:00pm
Fiserv Forum, 1111 Vel R. Philips Ave, Milwaukee, WI
Get in the mood for A Christmas Carol by strolling the “streets” of Christkindlmarket – Milwaukee’s old-world German holiday market. This event is free and open to the public. 
Colectivo Cafe
Saturday, December 14 at 11:30am
The Back Room at Colectivo Coffee, 2211 N. Prospect Ave, Milwaukee, WI 
Cozy up with a warm drink as you listen to holiday carols and visions of sugar-plums dance in your head.


About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Rep is the largest performing arts organization in Wisconsin in terms of audiences served and one of the largest professional theaters in the country. Each year, The Rep welcomes up to 275,000 people at nearly 700 performances of 15 productions ranging from compelling dramas, powerful classics, new plays and full-scale musicals in its three unique performance venues – the Quadracci Powerhouse, Stiemke Studio and Stackner Cabaret. For over 65 years, The Rep has gained a national reputation as an incubator of new work, an agent of community change and a forward-thinking provider of vital arts education programs. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mark Clements and Executive Director Chad Bauman, Milwaukee Repertory Theater ignites positive change in the cultural, social, and economic vitality of its community by creating world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and inspire meaningful dialogue among an audience representative of Milwaukee’s rich diversity.
Holiday Events
The following events and guest appearances featuring A Christmas Carol cast members are unique previews of this year’s full production and offer the chance to enjoy the music of the season and snap some festive photographs!