‘A Christmas Carol Live Radio Show’ available to stream
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Live theater has certainly been a challenge in 2020. Faced with the task of creating its traditional holiday show during a pandemic, the West Virginia Public Theatre creative team came up with an old-fashioned idea for the times.
With the utmost safety precautions in place, they have gathered a group of actors, sound effects artists, designers and recording technicians to create streamable Christmas cheer. In the tradition of live radio theater, WVPT presents “A Christmas Carol the Radio Play.”
The show is available to watch and stream now on WVPT’s website, at www.wvpublictheatre.org.
Recorded live in collaboration with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, this performance is available at no charge as a holiday gift to WVPT’s audience, patrons and theater family. The video version of the performance will be available through WVPT’s website. A radio version will be broadcast by Public Broadcasting throughout the state on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“It is very important to the artistic staff and board of directors of WVPT that we continue our long-standing holiday tradition of providing moving and inspiring holiday theater events,” said Jerry McGonigle, WVPT artistic director. “We hope that our effort can contribute to the communal Christmas spirit captured in Charles Dickens’ uplifting ghost story, and that we, in our own small way, can help lift the gloom of 2020 for our audiences and friends.”
This year’s “Christmas Carol” was adapted straight from the book by Andy Lyons, who plays Scrooge in the production.
“I realized, during this process, and much to my surprise, that I have only been exposed to theatrical adaptations of ‘A Christmas Carol’ — both as an audience member, and as an actor,” Lyons said. “Dickens tells us exactly what the streets look and sound and smell like; what the people are wearing; even what the shadows look like falling on Scrooge’s front door. Therefore, in most adaptations, we see the descriptions — in the costumes, lighting, and set design — and only hear a fragment of what he wrote. So, I’m really looking forward to sharing this wonderful story in a medium that will allow more of Dickens’ words to take us on this magical journey.”
The performance features eight actors playing 35 characters. Additionally, there will be two Foley artists creating sound effects such as wind blowing and a door shutting. The director, Lee Blair, has directed and performed in “A Christmas Carol” before, but never in this capacity.
“This is my fifth ‘Christmas Carol’ in my career: Three times acting and two times directing. I’ve been Young Scrooge, Marley, The Ghost of Christmas Future and Scrooge himself.” Blair said, “I’ve directed a production with over 35 in the cast and this one of nine, so I’ve run the gamut. I’m sure there’s one or two more in store along the way.”
Before rehearsals began, all actors and creatives involved in the show were required to take rapid COVID-19 tests. Additionally, actors were spaced out eight feet apart and required to wear masks at all times.
“Since we’ve been dealing with the pandemic since March really, theater has pretty much been shut down,” Blair said. “To be able to be back (safely) in a performance space with actors, designers, technicians, and for this project, cameramen and sound engineers, this ‘Christmas Carol’ was a true blessing and joy.”
WVPB will be airing the radio version of the holiday show at 7 p.m. Dec. 24 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 25.
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