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This past Sunday, I went to see A Christmas Carol at the Cobb Energy Centre out in Cobb County. I have to tell you that I love love love A Christmas Carol! I’ve seen it on television, in the movie with Jim Carey and I also saw it at my kids’ Christmas play years ago – the story never gets old. That Ol’ Scrooge gets me every time. The performance Sunday night did not disappoint!
Y’all, tell me how a ghost can appear on stage without anyone seeing him get there? For Real! Everyone seated next to me was like, “Where did he come from?!” That Marley ghost kept appearing in unlikely places and we were mesmerized by how ghost-like he really looked.
The ghost of Christmas Past was a shimmering delight to watch as she guided mean Ol’ Scrooge back to his childhood and adolescents. If a ghost ever visits me, I hope she shines like this one.
One of the many aspects I enjoyed were the costumes. All the costumes, from Mr. Fezziwig to Tiny Tim, escorted us back to the mid-1800s and the set design allowed us to stay there for a short while as we witnessed the transformation of Ebenezer from a spirited, friendly youth to Mr. Scrooge, a mean old miser.
The performance of all the actors shepherd us throughout this Christmas Eve, delighting us with many funny antics and such good cheer that we didn’t long for intermission. But of course, there had to be intermission (Some people have to go-you know.)
Ok, back to the show! Let me tell y’all about the Ghost of Christmas Present. He was hilariously adorable. He glided around the stage sprinkling kindness confetti. For him to glide like that wasn’t an easy task, considering his hefty size, but he werked it! He’s another ghost I wouldn’t mind coming over for a visit – as long as he brings the confetti.
The last and final ghost y’all know was the Ghost of Christmas Future. This ghost was flying around in the air like he had wings and we (or I was anyway) was looking hard for the harness equipment. They hid that stuff well, because all I could see was this ghost appearing from the darkness of night. He didn’t say a word, but his silence spoke volumes. Can you imagine, dying and people taking your curtains and bedclothes (inside joke) to sell on Ebay? This of course, was the saddest part of the show, but the added touches of humor lightened the atmosphere.
I couldn’t tell y’all about the show without mentioning the star, Mr. Scrooge. The skilled actor who played Mr. Scrooge gave him so much depth that I didn’t know if I wanted to slap him or hug him. Many times when we watch this story, Scrooge is always mean and we never feel compassion for him. This time, the actor made us ‘see’ Mr. Scrooge’s humanity. Great job!
The one facet of this production that made me the happiest was the diversity of the cast. Big props to whoever made this possible, and trust me when I say, the diversity and talent on that stage had the whole audience smiling from ear to ear. I know my face was sore from smiling so much. From Mr. Marley to Little Tim, all the characters were brought to life in refreshing ways. I appreciated the amusing anecdotal elements from the dialogue between Scrooge & his sister to the details of the Cratchit’s family drama. It was awesome.
This show had everything you need to start your holiday season off right. It had humor, warmth, friendship, sadness and redemption. If you love Dicken’s A Christmas Carol as much as I do, you’ll be overjoyed with this performance.
I loved the way the Cobb Energy Centre was festively decorated with Christmas trees all around and holiday wreaths hanging beautifully throughout the foyer. Since the show wasn’t officially opened (this was the final dress rehearsal), the restaurant and bars were closed, but from previous visits, they were populated well and people seemed happy.
Once again, I appreciate having the parking garage located right next to the venue. For those who don’t know: parking (close parking at that) is something to get excited about around here.
Since this production signifies that start of holiday season (for me, at least), I’d like for you to check your heart posture for the season. What is heart posture, you ask? We hear this all the time, and we wonder what does it means or if it means what we think it means. I can only tell you what it means to me and then I implore you to be bold enough to find the meaning of it for yourself.
Psalms 19:14 states, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. For me, the meditation of my heart is ‘my’ heart posture. Meaning, whatever we do, let it be from the heart and let it be pleasing to God this holiday season and beyond.
Let’s not consider what we did wrong yesterday or who did us wrong yesterday, but on this day and the next day, let our hearts be focused on actions that are pleasing in His sight. That may be in the form of forgiveness, obedience, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, respectfulness, humbleness and most of all love. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with a few of those things, but during this season, I remind myself often to check my heart posture.
We don’t necessarily have to articulate the definition of heart posture, but we should aspire to do things that are pleasing to God and have it come from the heart and not just something to brag about on social media.
This Christmas season, don’t let our actions reflect the BA-HUMBUG spirit, like the mean old Scrooge, let’s check our heart posture and be reformed like the Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning.
If you’re coming into town for the show and want something to do during the day, consider purchasing the Atlanta CityPASS to visit all of the attractions this area has to offer.
If you love A Christmas Carol as much as I do, drop me a note to let me know your favorite version. Also, I’d like to hear what you think of when you hear, “Check your heart posture“.
Merry Christmas!
