A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#1
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?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#2
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#3
Posted: 11/8/19 at 9:12am
Any reports from the first preview last night?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#4
Posted: 11/8/19 at 9:25amAnyone try rush yet? Where were the seat locations?
Swing Joined: 11/8/19
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#5
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#6
Posted: 11/8/19 at 10:36amGoing tonight - what was the runtime? Telecharge says 2:15 including intermission, is that accurate? Trying figure out which train to catch home.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#7
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.
Swing Joined: 11/8/19
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#8
Posted: 11/8/19 at 11:41amThink 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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#9
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.
Stand-by Joined: 12/30/17
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#10
Posted: 11/8/19 at 1:40pmOut of curiosity is there a cast recording of this version of Christmas Carol?
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#11
Posted: 11/8/19 at 1:53pm
aw42 said: "Went in not knowing the story at all actually"
That seems nearly impossible?! heh
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/20/18
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#12
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.
Swing Joined: 11/8/19
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#13
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
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#14
Posted: 11/8/19 at 4:18pmLove the know the view from the balcony
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/25/05
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#15
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#16
Posted: 11/8/19 at 7:11pm
The bell ringing IS beautiful. Though perhaps not at the gym.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/2/13
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#17
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#18
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!
Broadway Star Joined: 8/11/05
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#19
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#20
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!
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#21
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.
Understudy Joined: 12/13/10
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#22
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#23
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?
Understudy Joined: 12/13/10
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#24
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:
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.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Preview Thread#25
Posted: 11/12/19 at 12:15pm
I'm very excited to see this on Saturday. So glad I decided to buy a ticket.
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