It was the first day of snow this year in Alexandria, Virginia. Not the nice puffy stuff however, but a miserable wet mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain that makes a driving “Oh sooo much fun”. Dave and I drove in it anyway, because we had tickets to “A Christmas Carol” at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA). The Little Theatre of Alexandria is a charming community theater located off the tourist path in “Old Town” Alexandria. The area’s oldest, continuously operating theater performs musicals, comedies and dramas year-round with a holiday show in early December.
Founded in 1934, The Little Theatre of Alexandria began as a small play-reading group. Early productions were held upstairs at Gadsby’s Tavern and recreated life in the 18th century, right down to a visit by President and Mrs. Harry S. Truman. The Truman’s attended on more than one occasion, and notes say that Lynda Bird Johnson even participated as a serving wench! In June 2001, President George W. Bush made LTA his first Washington-area theatrical outing when he came to see his sister-in-law perform in Neil Simon’s Proposals according to www.thelittletheatre.com.
Today, LTA is the oldest award-winning theater in the Washington metro area and one of the few community theaters in the country with its own building and an ambitious seven-show season. Also, it is a good place to “get involved” as a volunteer, participate or attend classes. I strongly recommend this lovely little theater where “locals” congregate.
We attended our first show here this past Saturday afternoon. I love how small the theater is. I feel you can enjoy performances more in the smaller venues. I think the only way a seat is bad in this place is if you happen to have a tall person sit in front of you, but we had the first row. 🙂 There is something about the first row – it gives you a completely different prospective! Oh maybe, it is just me. My husband and I had no issues finding street parking. It was just around the block from the theatre, which was nice considering the weather conditions at that time.
The Little Theatre of Alexandria celebrates the holiday season with the return of their classic stage adaptation of Charles Dickens’ beloved tale, A Christmas Carol (1843). Lonely miser Ebenezer Scrooge is granted the chance to become a better person before it’s too late when four spirits visit him one Christmas Eve. His ghostly guides accompany him to Christmases past, present and future to discover the true meaning of the holidays.
The opening is a converging crowd scene where everyone in the neighborhood offered a snippet of what they thought of Mr. Scrooge–ambitious, but nonetheless distracting to the audience.
The Opening Scene – Facebook Page
Scrooge is wakened from his sleep, to a bursting light-filled closet, from which emerges his old partner Marley.
Fred Lash as Scrooge. Photo by Eddy Roger Parker.
Marley’s ghost in garish outfit filled with dragging chains gives Scrooge a way out.
Elliot Bales (Marley) – Facebook page
Ghost of Christmas Past provided a light smooth touch guiding Scrooge back to his happier youth, as she glides across the stage in shimmering lights.
Valerie Chamness (Ghost of Christmas Past) – Facebook Page
Most everyone knows the story of one Ebeneezer Scrooge, a man so consumed with self and possessions that he shuts out all meaningful human interaction, especially the “wasteful” time of Christmas day. A series of supernatural events are set in motion to let him experience what he has missed and how he could have made a difference in the lives of people around him. His change of heart and the redemptive quality of the show actually mirrors the Christmas season of hope. A Christmas Carol is a festive reminder of all that we have. This show is timeless for a reason.
Cratchit Family. Photo by Eddy Roger Parker.