A Noise Within’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ might be the best party in the SGV

A Noise Within’s enchanting production of “A Christmas Carol” — a stage adaptation by Geoff Elliott that is faithful to the original novel by Charles Dickens — is once again enthralling audiences for the 2024 holiday season. Performances take place at the company’s Pasadena venue through Dec. 24.

Every word in Elliott’s play is right out of the novel — not a single one has been added. Throw in lush original music, eye-popping costumes, holiday crafts in the beautifully decorated lobby and photo ops with the cast after the show, and this “A Christmas Carol” might just be the best holiday party in town.

Co-directed by Elliott and Julia Rodriguez–Elliott, Elliott also alternates in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge with Frederick Stuart, each playing opposite Riley Shanahan as Marley. Trisha Miller is the Ghost of Christmas Past, Anthony Adu is the Ghost of Christmas Present, and David A. Rangel is the Ghost of Christmas Future. Kasey Mahaffy returns as Bob Cratchit and Emily Kosloski is back as Mrs. Cratchit. Mitch Connelly plays Fred, Ella Blain portrays Fred’s wife, and Roshni Shukla is Belle. Brooklyn Bao, Stella Bullock, Brendan Burgos, John Preston and Estella Stuart take on the roles of the Cratchit children, with Aria Zhang as Tiny Tim. The narrator is Mildred Marie Langford, and Madison Keffer rounds out the ensemble.

”I say it every year — ‘A Christmas Carol’ is the greatest story of redemption ever written,” says Elliott. “There is so much depth that we’re able to make new discoveries each time we do it, keeping the production fresh with new surprises year after year. It’s always a little bit different.”

“The play offers such a great balance between a spooky ghost story, and the joy and exuberance that comes with Scrooge’s transformation,” suggests Rodriguez-Elliott. “The story is sophisticated in a way that appeals to adults, but it’s not out of reach for a young audience.”

Performances of “A Christmas Carol” take place through Dec. 24 on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be three additional performances, on Monday, Dec. 23 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and on Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. A preview performance will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. More information is available at www.anoisewithin.org/relaxed-performances.

Tickets start at $51.50 (including fees). Student tickets start at $20. Family packs are available, as well as discounts for groups of 10 or more. Appropriate for ages 5 and up (babies and toddlers not permitted).

A Noise Within is located at 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107. To purchase tickets and for more information, call (626) 356-3100 or go to www.anoisewithin.org.

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