A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread

[BarnabyTucker]

Posted: 11/7/19 at 12:19pm

A Christmas Carol is now in previews on Broadway! The holiday masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, comes to Broadway this holiday season for eight weeks only following critically acclaimed runs at London's Old Vic. Two visionary talents, playwright Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and director Matthew Warchus (Matilda), offer a magical new interpretation of Charles Dickens' classic story, starring Campbell Scott ("House of Cards," Dying Young) as Ebenezer Scrooge. Beginning previews on Thursday, November 7 at the Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street), with the opening night set for Wednesday, November 20, A Christmas Carol will play a strictly limited engagement through Sunday, January 5, 2020 only

 

Anyone attending?

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/7/19 at 2:24pm

I have tickets for November 21st so I am anxious to hear people's thoughts starting after tonight's performance. I am really rather excited for this show as Christmas Carol is one of my all time favorite stories and own almost every movie version of it available on DVD/Blu-ray. Excited to hear what people think of this version and to see it in a couple weeks.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 9:12am

Any reports from the first preview last night?

[BroadwayLuv2]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 9:25am

Anyone try rush yet? Where were the seat locations?

[aw42]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 9:57am

BroadwayLuv2 said: "Anyone try rush yet? Where were the seat locations?"

Went to the TKTS booths (probably around 6pm?) ended up getting discount mezzanine. Went in not knowing the story at all actually, walked out very very happy. I'm sure orchestra's great, but now having seen what they do in this production, I think there's very good value if you can get the first 2 or 3 rows of the mezzanine.

[jpiedrafite]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 10:36am

Going tonight - what was the runtime? Telecharge says 2:15 including intermission, is that accurate? Trying figure out which train to catch home.

[little_sally]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 11:31am

jpiedrafite said: "Going tonight - what was the runtime? Telecharge says 2:15 including intermission, is that accurate? Trying figure out which train to catch home."

A friend saw the invited dress and said 1:40 with an intermission. 

[aw42]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 11:41am

Think it was a bit longer than 1:40 with an intermission. If I remember correctly, I think I walked out the door at ~9:55 or 10:00.

[jpiedrafite]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 12:17pm

Thanks to both of you - feel pretty confident I could make a 1030 train. Looking forward to the show.

[CPannullo]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 1:40pm

Out of curiosity is there a cast recording of this version of Christmas Carol?

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 1:53pm

aw42 said: "Went in not knowing the story at all actually"

That seems nearly impossible?! heh

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 2:16pm

CPannullo said: "Out of curiosity is there a cast recording of this version of Christmas Carol?"

Why would there be? It's a play that utilizes some traditional carols.

[aw42]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 3:09pm

haterobics said: "aw42 said: "Went in not knowing the story at all actually"

That seems nearly impossible?! heh"

yeah I know right haha. Well I mean I knew this was a Dickens story. I figured out it was gonna be like a Victorian London It's a Wonderful Life pretty quickly

Updated On: 11/8/19 at 03:09 PM

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 4:18pm

Love the know the view from the balcony

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 7:00pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "CPannullo said: "Out of curiosity is there a cast recording of this version of Christmas Carol?"

Why would there be? It's a play that utilizes some traditional carols."

The same reason any jukebox musical gets a cast recording - people like the music and want to enjoy the new arrangements/ performers. 
 

But no, there is not a recording of this production. 

Updated On: 11/8/19 at 07:00 PM

[ukpuppetboy]

Posted: 11/8/19 at 7:11pm

The bell ringing IS beautiful. Though perhaps not at the gym.

[VotePeron]

Posted: 11/9/19 at 12:20am

Wow. What a treat this show was - I left the theater grinning ear to ear just marveling at what had taken place for the previous 2 hours. The entire show - Act 2 especially - is a feast for the eyes and ears. Matthew Warchus and his design team again prove to be masters of stagecraft working at the top of their fields.

This small, old story we've heard a thousand times has never felt more fresh and invigorating as the life they've poured into it. From walking into the house with a live band playing carols on stage, to the ensemble coming out before the show starts handing out free clementines and cookies, not to mention the antics that take place throughout the theater/stage throughout the evening, is just magical. As always, the story does the heart some good, too.

I know it seems I'm being a little overzealous, this is A Christmas Carol after all - but this is just damn good theatre. I highly recommend it to the top of everyone's list. 

TDF seats were in the front side orchestra this evening - full view as the stage is thrusted into the house and the action takes place downstage center.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 9:42am

For anyone who has been there, any word on merch? Trying to work out a budget for my upcoming trip and it seems this time in NYC is going to be pretty light on the wallet souvenir wise as things I'm seeing don't seem to have a ton of merch yet. Last I heard Derren Brown has no merch and most of the others will just be magnets since only one (Moulin Rouge!) has a program that I'm aware of. Thanks!

[DaveyG]

Posted: 11/10/19 at 7:23pm

Caught the first preview - it’s fabulous. Wonderful performances and beautifully directed by Warchus. Gorgeous to look at and listen to. Go - you won’t regret it.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 3:25am

Thank you to the people who have posted their comments about this show. The reviews are so similarly strong and upbeat I have decided to see it.

I have a seating question ... for those who have seen the staging at the Lyceum, what do you think about seats in the front of the orchestra in the side sections in the first 3 rows right next to the thrust stage? I’m looking at seats in the second and third rows next to the center aisles.  For several reasons, I like/need to sit close to the stage. The seats right across the aisle in the center section are premium so I’m hoping the side sections are good too. They are rows B and C ... thank you for taking the time to respond if you have an opinion on it!

Updated On: 11/11/19 at 03:25 AM

[Wick3]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 3:19pm

Broadway Bob* said: "For anyone who has been there, any word on merch? Trying to work out a budget for my upcoming trip and it seems this time in NYC is going to be pretty light on the wallet souvenir wise as things I'm seeing don't seem to have a ton of merch yet. Last I heard Derren Brown has no merch and most of the others will just be magnets since only one (Moulin Rouge!) has a program that I'm aware of. Thanks!"

The only merch I saw at Derren Brown was a signed poster. It was a donation for BCEFA.

[Bobster159]

Posted: 11/11/19 at 4:21pm

Caught this Saturday. Sat front mezz which I'd argue is perfect, the lighting installation looks incredible. Given a choice I'd definitely choose front side orchestra over rear center. The design and thrust means almost all the show is downstage so I would guess even the widest seats must have essentially full view (unlike for Play Goes Wrong where the left wall was obscured from my left side seat). Also there's a super cool effect in the second half that's positively magical and I'd think you wouldn't get the full effect under the overhang.

The first half could probably do with a bit of tightening but I share what others say here, by the end you're on cloud nine, an absolute treat. If you're used to ropey, picture book A Christmas Carols this is incredibly refreshing. I wouldn't be in the slightest bit offended if Warchus picked up a best direction nod for this, it's really clever stuff.

I didn't buy anything but they definitely have fairly standard merch in the lobby. I noticed a few t-shirts with bah humbug on them and the like. Didn't see a picture book or anything like that but I wasn't really studying so can't confirm either way I'm afraid.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 2:41am

Bobster159 said: "Also there's a super cool effect in the second half that's positively magical and I'd think you wouldn't get the full effect under the overhang."

I am so bummed to not get back to NYC to see this. I love the source material and it’s themes of redemption and forgiveness. 
 

For those of us who won’t be able to catch this, would you mind using the spoiler feature and share the effect? 

[Bobster159]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 11:59am

Sure! If you can see the show I'd recommend not reading this, the staging initially looks so simple and has so many surprises it's really delightful:

 

Click Here To Toggle Spoiler Content

There's two big, spectacular moments in Act II:

Firstly the snow. They've gone all out, it comes from all directions and literally fills the auditorium. I couldn't see of course, so could be wrong, but I have to assume rear orchestra is not hit by it directly and I'd think that would be less fun. It's a really joyous moment.

Secondly the moving dinner. When Scrooge takes his nephew's feast to the Cratchit's it's done from all over the theater, with performers everywhere, (fake) food coming in from all angles and levels (they even had little vegetables parachuting down) and involving many audience members, culminating in a giant turkey on a zip wire from the back of the mezzanine. It's the sort of moment that could be schmaltzy but in an otherwise darker show they absolutely nail it.

Updated On: 11/12/19 at 11:59 AM

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 11/12/19 at 12:15pm

I'm very excited to see this on Saturday. So glad I decided to buy a ticket.