A Christmas Carol: A Multimedia Experience
Watching A Christmas Carol has been a tradition for many families during the holiday season. It’s the longest-running, most-adapted, and most-relevant Christmas tale to date. From the silent film that’s the oldest known adaptation in existence to the latest computer-animated film, A Christmas Carol has been presented in a number of different media over the decades. From December 11th – 22nd, the renowned artist Reid Farrington and Foxy Films Productions airs their take on the classic Dickens fable at the Art House in Jersey City!
A Wonderful Fusion of Stage and Screen
This is not your traditional Christmas Carol play, this interactive theater production is a live fusion assemblage of nearly every film adaption of A Christmas Carol ever made. In just 70 minutes, Reid Farrington mashes up over 100 years of film history through the classic tale. A Christmas Carol conjures up ghosts of the past, present, and future by integrating media and live theater into a collage of the holiday classic. It is a blend of live performances, projections, and holograms. It is perfect for children but also offers a nostalgic throwback for adults. Watch out for images of your favorite Scrooge including cameos from The Muppets, Bill Murray, and even Mickey!
Reid Farrington: Reviving Illusions
New media artist, theater director, and designer Reid Farrington has been breaking traditions by his visual blending of live performances with projected characters and images. He is inspired by the Victorian Era, a time where artists started adding illusions, incorporating back lighting effects and scrolling panoramas. These “Magic Lantern Shows” were incredibly popular 100 years ago and now Reid Farrington is bringing it back to the audience of Jersey City. He is essentially reproducing these same illusions using modern day technology.
The Talent
One of the interesting things about this play was that just three performers play all the parts! Performing this show requires a variety of memorization to mimic a character from a film and remembering where to hold a screen or projection surface. This requires actors of tremendous genius and Laura K. Nicoll, Adam Patterson and Zachary Eisenstat definitely succeed. Their chemistry is engaging, each one performing with precise passion. Combining Adam’s background in acting, Laura’s dancing and Zachary’s expertise in comedy and acting, they were able to wow the audience with a show unlike any other.
A Creative Hub for Artists
The Art House is a non-profit performance venue that was founded in 2001 to encourage artists in the Jersey City area to meet and have a place to showcase their work. The Art House’s mission is to inspire and strengthen the community by investing in arts and culture. This space gives artists the opportunity to network, collaborate, and to support each other.
Buy Tickets!
A Christmas Carol runs December 11th-22nd at Art House Productions. Tickets are $30-$40, $25 for senior citizens/ADA, and $18 for students. To purchase tickets, please call the box office at (201) 918-6019 or visit Art House online. The Art House Gallery is open before and after the show. Are you convinced to check this show out yet? Good, we want to hear what you think so don’t forget to tag us and tell us what you thought of the show!
Next Screenings
12/19: 8pm
12/20: 8pm
12/21: 3pm Includes a post-show discussion with the artists
12/21: 8pm
12/22: 3pm Audio Described Performance. (ADA tickets are $25)
Author: Shirley Davila
Shirley Davila is a freelance writer living in New Jersey originally from Lima, Peru. She is a travel junkie and food aficionado whose always looking for new things to try!
This performance of A Christmas Carol was absolutely delightful. The live acting intertwined with film and holograms were performed with impeccable timing. I recommend highly if you have a chance to go, do not miss this different and wonderful performance.