Great Lakes Theater’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ is a true family gathering

This year marks the 37^th production of “A Christmas Carol” by Great Lakes Theatre in the Mimi Ohio Theatre. For myself I have probably seen the show somewhere in the neighborhood of fifteen times. Now people would ask me why I would want to see the same show year after year. To explain this I need to share a holiday tradition that my wife and I have celebrated for the past ten years.

Every Christmas Eve after all the last minute gifts have been wrapped, the breads, scones and pies have been baked and the house cleaned for the last time we sit down together and watch the movie “Love Actually”. There are a few reasons why we do this. For one, there are scenes of London that are near and dear to our traveling hearts. Secondly, it is a delightful movie that has a lot of emotional elements to it and lastly, every time we view it we spot something new.

This is pretty much the reason as well for the repeated viewings of Great Lake’s “A Christmas Carol”. Most years I grab a family member or my spouse to make the trip downtown to see this Dickens classic. In all the years I have never been disappointed. It remains one of the best produced shows in Cleveland. The stage set (parts of which date back to the original production) is delightful. The special effects are stupendous. The acting is superb in spite of all the changes over the years (its fun to spot familiar old friends from various Great Lakes offerings). The story itself is timely and carries a much needed message.

The Great Lakes production of “A Christmas Carol” is more than a tradition. It is a multi-generational event where grand parents, parents and children gather to share a moving experience. For many it is a connection to their childhood and their first contact with live theater. Even after all these viewings I still find myself tearing up when Scrooge transitions from miser to all around pretty nice guy. While I did not need three spirits to aid in my personal transformation many years ago I find it easy to relate to his circumstance.

As for this year’s offering it is superb as always. Nick Steen as the curmudgeon Samuels/Scrooge really throws himself into the part. He leaves nothing on the stage. Alex Fynn Kenney and Anthony Patrick Kenney (depending on which performance you see) are perfection cute as Master William Cleaveland and Tiny Tim Cratchit. The rest of the Cleaveland/Cratchit family consists of James Alexander Rankin as Father Cleaveland and Bob Cratchit, Laura Welsh as Mother Cleaveland and Fred’s wife, Sutton Garver as Miss Abigail Cleaveland and Belinda Cratchit, Gabi Ilg as Miss Elizabeth Cleaveland, Martha Cratchit and Fan, Gabriel Subervi as Master Richard Cleaveland, Dick Wilkins and Peter Cratchit, Dane McQueen as Master Robert Cleaveland and James Cratchit, Lennon Rosiar as Miss Polly Cleaveland and Sarah Cratchit and Jodi Dominic as Jane and Mrs. Cratchit. Special mention to Joe Wegner as Nephew Fred who teems with good will and vitality and Jessie Cope Miller as the irrepressible Muggeridge and the Spirit of Christmas Present. Lastly, David Anthony Smith as the truly scary ghost of Jacob Marley who was a terrifying specter indeed.

John Ezell and Gene Emerson Friedman’s scenic design is spectacular as always with ingenious moving parts and trap doors. James Scott’s costumes perfectly captures the times. Mary Jo Dondlinger and Jeff Herrmann’s lighting sets the proper mood throughout the show. Tom Mardikes and Stan Kozak’s sound design is crisp and clear. The enthusiastic dance sequences are from choreographer extraordinaire David Shimotakahara.

If you are among the few who have never witnessed this production it is high time for you to come see it. For the rest, gather the clan and make the pilgrimage to the Mimi Ohio for a shared experience. It is after all what Christmas is all about, the gathering of family...God Bless us Everyone!

The Great Lakes Theater production of “A Christmas Carol” will be on stage in the Mimi Ohio Theatre on Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio through December 21, 2025. For tickets and more information go to https://www.greatlakestheater.org/ or call (216) 241-6000.