Flat Rock Playhouse will be producing A Christmas Carol, the classic Dickens tale adapted for the stage by Richard Helleson with original music and lyrics by David De Berry, through December 17. Back by popular demand after the success of the 2014 performance, Peter Thomasson will be revisiting his infamous role as Ebenezer Scrooge along with direction from Amy Jones and choreography by Madison Johnson.
“I like playing Scrooge because this is a redemption story. Therefore it’s a spiritual journey, not just for the character of Scrooge, but for the audience too,” says Thomasson, who has been acting for nearly 40 years and involved with Flat Rock Playhouse since 1993. Having experienced and participated in this show at various points in life, he insists this is his favorite adaption. “I always hope A Christmas Carol touches someone and takes them on an interior journey that ultimately reminds us what this Christmas season is all about,” he says.
Amy Jones is as enthusiastic as Thomasson about their take on this classic story and is excited to bring it to new audiences. “So much of our modern viewpoint of Scrooge and Dickens’ story is just that Ebenezer is a ‘bad egg.’ He’s negative, mean-spirited and miserly. The ghosts scare the living daylights out of him and he changes his attitude and is therefore redeemed. But I wanted to explore in more detail how and why he became so hardened.” Jones explains that Scrooge can be portrayed not so much as a villain but as a man so damaged by the circumstances of the world that only a miracle can guide him to salvation.
A feeling we can all relate to, Scrooge is just another person in need of love. “When we add Dennis Maulden’s thoughtful and beautiful set, Paul Feraldi’s props, C.J. Barnwell’s lights and Ashli Arnold’s gorgeous costumes, we get a magical, theatrical experience that is visually stunning as well as thought-provoking and entertaining,” says Jones. All ages are welcome to this vibrant, transformative performance in the beautiful mountains of Henderson County.
Flat Rock Playhouse is located at 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock. Tickets are available for matinee and evening performances Wednesday through Sunday. Curtain times vary. Tickets are $15–$40 and can be purchased by calling the box office locally at 828.693.0731, toll-free at 866.737.8008 or by visiting flatrockplayhouse.org.
