There are holiday traditions, and then there are the ones that reach right into your chest and remind you why we gather, celebrate, and soften a little this time of year. For me, the Guthrie Theater’s “A Christmas Carol” is exactly that. It’s one of those rare shows that feels familiar before it even begins.
This year’s production, running Nov. 8 through Dec. 28 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage, carries a special tenderness as the Guthrie honors adapter Lavina Jadhwani, who passed away in 2025. Her writing has shaped this story at the Guthrie for the past five years, and you can still feel her gentle, inquisitive touch in every moment.
Last week was Spirit Week, when the Guthrie used the time to invite the community into the holiday season. There were music pop-ups, a Youth Art Contest with student creativity lining the lobby, and a Give Back Day supporting Every Meal.
Knowing that audiences brought food donations to support Minnesota families facing food insecurity added a layer of real-life generosity to the overall experience. It reminded me how deeply the arts can anchor us to what matters.
Inside the theater, audience members will immediately notice how thoughtfully this production is woven together. Director Addie Gorlin-Han brings a tender, reflective energy to the story.
In the program, she talks about thinking more about life, loss and legacy this year, and how “A Christmas Carol” — for all its cheer — really wrestles with those questions. That insight stayed with me throughout the show and made Scrooge’s transformation feel more like a deeply human awakening than a simple change of heart.
The creative elements blend so seamlessly that it’s easy to forget how much artistry is behind every moment. Regina Peluso’s choreography is charming and full of life, especially during the Fezziwig celebration. The room practically bubbles with joy.
Jason Hansen’s music direction and Jane Shaw’s original compositions weave traditional melodies with fresh textures, creating a soundscape that feels both nostalgic and new.
Visually, the world onstage is stunning. Matt Saunders’ scenic and projection design creates a London that shifts almost magically — from foggy alleyways to warm interior rooms to the eerie stillness of future scenes. Toni-Leslie James’costumes, reconstructed this season by Emily Tappan, help root the story in time while adding warmth and personality to each character.
The lighting by Yi Zhao deepens and transforms the stage in each scene, while Mikaal Sulaiman’s sound design gives the play a spine-tingling edge.
The cast is beautifully assembled. David Beach’s Ebenezer Scrooge is layered, prickly, guarded and eventually cracked wide open in a way that feels earned.
Regina Marie Williams (Ghost of Christmas Present), Eric Sharp (Ghost of Christmas Past) and Nathan Huberty (Ghost of Christmas Future) each bring a distinct energy of warmth, wistfulness and shadow. Huberty says in the program that the story is “almost a Halloween play with a holiday skin,” and after seeing the Ghost of Christmas Future glide across the stage, I wholeheartedly agree.
One of the most moving updates this year is the choice to cast Fan, Scrooge’s beloved younger sister, as a child. The innocence of that moment, when Scrooge revisits his past, hits differently this year.
Gorlin-Han also shared that new technical elements — a stage lift, updated microphones and a top-secret effect in the Future sequence — help deepen the emotional power of the show.
A few practical notes: The production includes strobe lighting, haze, fog and loud sounds, which may be intense for some viewers. The show runs with one intermission and is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Tickets start at $35 (available through the Guthrie’s website), and it’s definitely worth every penny for a night that blends tradition, artistry and heart. I left feeling steadier, softer and a little more open — like Scrooge’s journey had reminded me that change, generosity and connection are always possible.
If you’re looking for something that offers both comfort and emotional depth this holiday season, the Guthrie’s “A Christmas Carol” is a beautiful and uplifting choice.
Editor’s note: This is the latest installment of Rachel’s Reviews, where Rachel Engstrom, a contributor to Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN), reviews various aspects of Eden Prairie and beyond. Do you have ideas for reviews? Reach out to Rachel Engstrom at rachel.engstrom@eplocalnews.org.
