Dickens himself is in Ford's new `Christmas Carol'

The author performed in Washington in 1868

Stage: theater, music, dance

Adapting an old play is no big deal.

But when it comes to a holiday classic such as A Christmas Carol, scriptwriter Michael Wilson and director Matt August knew they had to be a little bit more careful.

Consider that the play, which runs through Jan. 2, has been an annual staple at Ford's Theatre in Washington for many years. Some people see it as a tradition.

"It's a little daunting," August said. "It just makes the challenge that much greater."

While keeping the production in the same time period as before, this new version introduces new costumes, sounds, lighting, set design and a new character: Charles Dickens.

In his research, August discovered that Dickens performed in Washington on his second U.S. tour in 1868. Although Ford's Theatre was closed for many years after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, August wanted to have Dickens welcome the audience and briefly introduce the story.

"We didn't want to suddenly make this a narrated Christmas Carol," Wilson said. "It is very much a short piece in terms of a prologue. You get the sense of Dickens on tour, and so he welcomes the audience and introduces himself to the audience as a humble servant."

August said he approached the production so that the stage reflects the way Ebenezer Scrooge (played by Martin Rayner) perceives the world. This means that in the beginning, the sets are cut and dry, with lots of black and white. They change as Scrooge makes his journeys to his youth and the future. It's an arduous role for an actor to undertake, but August said Rayner's doing just fine.

"[Rayner's] a cannonball on stage," August said. "He's got so much explosive energy on stage. He's really vulnerable, and it's really fun to go through this journey with him."

Scrooge and the other characters aren't the only ones meant to go through a journey. August said audience members must also realize the importance of being active and charitable members of society. That's the idea behind the gift-giving season.

"We're trying to put on an epic story about one cantankerous man's redemption and a society that helped him get there," August said. "If the audience is to walk way with anything, they should walk away knowing that they have to get involved with their society. The world cannot exist as individuals. We have to exist as a community, and we have to be involved with our community."

"A Christmas Carol" runs through Jan. 2 at the Ford's Theatre, 511 Tenth St. N.W. in Washington. Tickets are $25-48, and showtimes vary. Call 202-347-4833 or visit www.fordstheatre.org.