Christians and Jews will share a leap-year coincidence of traditional rituals when devotees mark religious annual celebrations on Dec. 25.
With a 12-day countdown to Carol, the arrival of Christmas, and eight days of menorah lightings to gift the genesis of Hannukah, this year’s seasons collide with hope, joy, and reason.
Children dedicated to both beliefs will relish the fact that they are the benefactors of attention and goodwill because schools will pause for a hiatus until the New Year, and they will take center stage during family revelry.
If only for one day, on the 25th day of the last month in 2024, wishes of merriment, happiness, and optimism may prevail.
Epic Spin On ‘A Christmas Carol’ Deliver A Dickens Of A Holiday Classic
Tiny Tim never seemed more unctuous, Bob Cratchit never appeared more humble, and Scrooge never appeared as mean-spirited as in the retelling of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol.“
It was not until recently that Epic Players presented the characters front and center at Theater Five inside Theater Row.
The convincing actors represent the “nonprofit, neuro-diverse theater company dedicated to creating professional performing arts opportunities.”
The acronym describes a mission to Empower, Perform, Include, and Create through the arts by providing equal opportunities to the often excluded, stigmatized community.
“I got it now,“ Haitian national Yolande Leger said about the British classic.
“I have never been able to watch an entire version of this story and always felt confused by the language; now I got it.”
A former flight attendant with the now defunct PanAm Airways, the creole-speaking New Yorker shouted “bravo“ after every scene by applauding the diverse cast.
She seemed to experience an epiphany when director Travis Burbee dramatized the age-old tale about a grumpy business employer whose dreams transformed into nightmares when a trio of ghostly figures visited his bedroom on the advent of the holiday.
How the principal character denied the Christmas holidays and all its accoutrements is not left undeterred.
Narrated by Miles Butler and Sandy Gladstone Karpe, Scrooge, portrayed by Max Tunney, is the same grumpy fellow penned in the 1840s.
Until the spirited messengers of enlightenment scared him straight, the individual whose name is now synonymous with cheap remains the same frugal capitalist presented in the stingiest neighbor in Britain, but this time, he is comedic and a willing candidate for change.
A simple set decorates the stage; bare-bones wood boxes with a frame depict simulated furniture.
However, in all the retellings, no one seems as endearing as the dedicated employee Bob Cratchit (Gerard Riley) and his family, including a disabled child they call Tiny Tim (Sean McGowan).
Portrayed by a company of relatable actors, they managed to endear audiences to lean into a message of millennial interest.
To see the miserly character hopscotch across the stage is one thing but breakdance too?
Who knew?
Monee Stamp, lighting designer with Sean Ramos, provides sound effects that add to the holiday reality of the period.
Kudos to the cast for livening the heartening tale with several renditions of tuneful versions of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The bonus is Santa Claus adding seasonal garnish to a wondrous program by offering photo ops at the beginning and end of the presentation.
Remember the message: “Nothing comes easy in life; even Santa comes with a Clause.“
Kwanzaa Remains An All-Inclusive Commemorative
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, and others are not exempt from observing Kwanzaa, a 7-day principled model that begins the day after Dec. 25 and ends on Jan. 1.
Open to all who want to celebrate African-American culture and heritage, the week features the lighting of black, red, and green candles placed inside a candelabra known as a kinara. The tri-colored waxes signify meaningful principles known as the Nguzo Saba, which was compiled by California activist and historian Dr. Malauna Karenga 54 years ago.
With no particular commandments to adhere to, fruits, family, and commitment are at the heart of celebrating positively Umoja — Unity,
Kujichagulia — Self Determination, Ujima — Collective Work and Responsibility, Ujaama — Cooperative Economics, Nia — Purpose, Kuumba — creativity and Imani — Faith.
Happy holidays.
Catch You On The Inside!
