A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread

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?

Any reports from the first preview last night?

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 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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 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?

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