No bah humbug for this Christmas Carol production in Chattanooga

Sunday, January 1, 1905

IF YOU GO

• What: Closed Door Entertainment presents "A Christmas Carol."• When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25.• Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.• Admission: $19-$27.• Phone: 642-TIXS.• Website: www.cdoorent.com.Note: Also Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Catoosa County Colonnade.

Old meets new on the stage at the Tivoli Theatre this holiday season.

Local theater company Closed Door Entertainment presents Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," a celebrated holiday tradition, but it might not be what one expects.

The company will perform the musical version of Dickens' story, with music by famed Disney composer Alan Menken.

"While you might not be familiar with the music, you'll certainly be familiar with the style of music," said Closed Door creative director J.C. Smith. "Anyone who is a Disney fan can hear songs from 'Beauty and the Beast' and recognize that's where they're from."

In fact, he said, there are songs in the production of "A Christmas Carol" that the company refers to as the "Be Our Guest" of the show, or as the "Beauty and the Beast" of the show.

Set in mid-19th-century England on Christmas Eve, "A Christmas Carol" is the tale of grouchy Ebenezer Scrooge, who has neither taste nor tolerance for Christmas cheer.

That evening, he is visited by the spirit of his deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who introduces three ghosts -- past, present and future. The visions set forth by the ghosts alter Scrooge's perspective.

"You get to see him begin to build his fortune in a workhouse factory and see him lose the love of his life when he chooses money over her," Smith said, "and you get to see him grow bitter and cold."

Smith said there will be a few variations and surprises that might be a bit unexpected for those who are accustomed to a more traditional showing of "A Christmas Carol."

Song titles include "Abundance and Charity," "Link by Link," "Dancing on Your Grave," and "God Bless Us, Everyone."

It's a great way, he said, to kick off the holiday season.

"These days, Christmas starts playing out in October in a lot of stores," he said, "but a lot of us like to try to hold out as long as possible and not get into that Christmas spirit until after Thanksgiving to enjoy this time and this holiday."

Contact Holly Leber at hleber@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6391. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/hollyleber. Subscribe to her on Facebook at facebook.com/holly.j.leber.