Christmas Carol at Rialto

A unique version of Dickens' classic

The spirit of Christmas to come is steeped in the spirit of Christmas past. Where the two come together, well, that's Christmas present.

What Ebenezer Scrooge comes to realize in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is that what he must hold fast to, what he must not let slip through his fingers, the great gift that he's been given, is his Christmas present. That's always been one of my favourite puns. And A Christmas Carol has always been one of my favourite stories. The crew at The Rialto Theatre in Montreal's Mile End district produced a rather delightful stage version last year, and they've taken it down off the shelf, like a cherished box of tree ornaments, and are bringing it back to life again this year.

This is a unique version of Dickens' classic, a musical telling complete with a chorus and sixteen beloved traditional holiday songs. Crowds loved it this year, and there's no reason not to take it in again leading up to the Christmas season. The Rialto's version can easily become a Montreal holiday tradition.

Consider that the cautionary tale of Ebenezer Scrooge's conversion is nearly 170 years old. Dickens' version of Christmas itself sets the stage for how we celebrate Christmas today. Indeed, the expression "Merry Christmas" was popularized by the story. One is hard pressed to find a Victorian reader or critic who did not like A Christmas Carol.

Last year Frayne McCarthy was Scrooge, and his version of O Holy Night, really stood out. This year James Milvain is Ebenezer Scrooge and Pierre Lenoir portrays the Ghost of Marley. A Christmas Carol runs from December 15-28 in parallel English and French versions.

Also at the Rialto for the Christmas season is Motown Christmas, with Alma Faye Brooks & La Gioventu Band. They packed the house just a few months ago, and promise to do so again. Brooks has a couple of Juno nominations under her belt, and has performed with some of the best in the business. La Gioventu is a popular, 10-piece band who, with Brooks at the helm, will take the audience through a roster of Motown holiday classics, Wednesday, December 14.