Opening This Week: CBT’s Grand Tradition – ‘A Christmas Carol’

It seems inevitable that we find ourselves talking about traditions this time of year. Our holiday traditions often defy logic, embraced simply because there is inescapable satisfaction in the memories of food and drink, festive music, once-a-year events, and the hoped for warmth of friends and family. Holiday traditions are things we are willing to accept at face value for the quiet joy they bring, even if their meaning has faded with time.

Even discussing holiday traditions has become a tradition. Arguments break out over cranberry sauce, real versus artificial Christmas trees, the original winter solstice celebrations versus adopted religious ones, and, importantly, which cinematic version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is best—or worst. And whether any dramatization can ever rival Dickens’ novella.

One joyous Knoxville holiday tradition that needs little argument is Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. CBT’s own tradition of A Christmas Carol began in 1985, becoming an annual production in 2007. The current version—first staged in 2016— features an adaptation of the Dickens novella by Edward Morgan and Joseph Manreddy with music by John Tanner. That 2016 production proved so popular with performers and audiences that it survived the Covid closure year of 2020 and alternative approaches in 2021 and 2022.

One of the things audiences had missed from the 2016 version was scenic designer Kevin Depinet’s gloriously inventive and eye-catching set that was a feast of stagecraft intrigues. Depinet’s upwardly sweeping ramp beautifully defined the space, while drawing the eye to a huge Victorian-detailed clock, the clever movement of its hands underlining particular points in Scrooge’s night of redemption. Also, audiences were delighted for the return of the substantial music score of interpolated carols and energetic Christmas-time music and dance.

Of course, A Christmas Carol is also a tradition for CBT faculty, staff, and an ensemble of actors that include local professionals and UTK students, many returning from previous years. The current production is being directed by CBT’s Patrick Lanczki, with original direction by Kathleen F. Conlin. 

“The story of A Christmas Carol works because the themes are so universal,” said Lanczki. “First, it is a ghost story, but it is also a story about family, love and loss, second chances, and redemption. It reminds us of the possibility that people can change.”

A huge part of this production are its visual and sonic delights: sumptuous costumes, clever stagecraft, atmospheric sound, colorful projections and lighting effects. The musical director is Terry D. Alford; choreographer is Casey Sams. The 37-member cast includes many returning actors in multiple roles, as well as a host of new recruits to the tradition. Jed Diamond returns in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with David Brian Alley as Jacob Marley.

For many in the Clarence Brown Theatre audience, returning year after year to A Christmas Carol has become a tradition of its own. First-timers, though, will find an incredibly enjoyable holiday production that will leave them with fond memories of a satisfying theatrical experience. Watch out, though—one may find themself with a new Holiday tradition.

Photos above are from the 2023 Clarence Brown Theatre production of A Christmas Carol.