Cover Photo by Lynn Lane, featuring the cast of Alley Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”
Opening night at Alley Theatre felt like stepping straight into the holiday season. Before the curtain even rose, the annual Christmas tree lighting set the tone for the evening, creating the perfect entry into one of Houston’s most beloved Christmas traditions.
Alley Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” feels familiar in all the best ways, yet this year’s production still manages to surprise you.
From the moment the lights dim, the cast pulls you straight into Dickens’ world with rich vocals and staging that makes every scene feel alive.
The singing alone could carry the show, but it’s the emotion behind it that keeps you hooked.
One of the strongest elements of this production is the trio of actors who bring the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future to life. Each spirit has its own presence, its own rhythm and its own way of shifting the mood onstage.
Their performances push Scrooge forward, but they also shape the audience’s emotional journey.
The Ghost of Christmas Present brings humor and warmth; the Ghost of Christmas Future brings a quiet heaviness you can’t shake; yet it was the Ghost of Christmas Past that stayed with me the most.
Instead of one actor, Christmas Past is played by four different actresses who rotate in and out of scenes, almost like memories flickering across Scrooge’s mind. The effect is stunning.
The joyful moments of his childhood and early life unfold with a kind of brightness that feels honest and tender.
The actresses slip in and out seamlessly, layering every memory with nostalgia and movement. It’s one of the wisest and most captivating choices in the show, and it makes those scenes feel alive in a way I didn’t expect.
The production balances spectacle with heart, leaning on strong ensemble work and vocal performances that fill the theater.
Even if you’ve seen “A Christmas Carol” a dozen times, Alley Theatre finds a way to make it feel new while keeping the story’s core intact.
This year’s production isn’t just festive. It’s moving, musical and full of the kind of theatrical magic that reminds you why this story has lasted so long. Walking out of the theater, it’s hard not to feel a little lighter, a little warmer and maybe even a little more hopeful.
“A Christmas Carol” runs from Nov. 16 through Dec. 28 at Alley Theatre’s Hubbard Theatre. Tickets can be found on Alley Theatre’s website.
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