The English Holiday Tale That Americans Adore

Charles Dickens wrote his holiday-season classic “A Christmas Carol” as part of the English tradition of telling ghost stories during the holiday season.

Smithsonian magazine did  a wonderful article in 2016 explaining that ghost tales in winter are a continuation of a pagan practice. The longest day of the year was considered a time when the dead were most likely to come back and visit the living. That tradition died out, so to speak, in the 17th century but returned in Victorian England.

I don’t actually know whether “A Christmas Carol” is still an essential part of the British holidays, but it seems to me that in America Ebenezer Scrooge is as ubiquitous a character as Saint Nick.

This year, you can see two  different theatrical productions based on the Dickens tale.

The Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, N.Y., presents a musical adaptation that will run until Dec. 19, with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25; email boxoffice@centerforperformingarts.org.

TheatreWorks in New Milford, Conn., is offering a meta “Christmas Carol” show, called “What the Dickens?” and written by Matt Austin.

A community theater group has to put on a traditional production of “A Christmas Carol” — but completely from memory. Complications and hilarity ensue in what the theater describes as “Monty Python meets Arthur Miller.”

“What the Dickens?” is presented Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through Saturday, Dec. 18, with one Sunday matinee on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 for reserved seating ($20 for students and military personnel and veterans with ID).

TheatreWorks warns that, “Due to some language and innuendo, this show is not recommended for children under 13.”

Reservations can be made online at www.theatreworks.us or by calling 860-350-6863.

Masks and proof of vaccination or proof of negative COVID test within a 72-hour time frame are required; bring an ID card.