Syracuse Stage is taking a much different approach to the production of “A Christmas Carol” during its 50th season.
Play Director Melissa Rain Anderson says she wanted to make the ghosts characters come alive by having them levitate. She explains the use of music also provides the production with a different feel to the holiday classic.
“This is a play with music. It feels like a musical. We sing a lot. And this is sort of the next step of that. It's sort of choreographed in the air.”
Anderson says the implementation of the circus format to the production flows seamlessly both on the dramatic and thematic levels to bring out the action-packed moments. Ben Franklin is one of the performers and creative partners from Two Ring Circus based in New York City.
“They (ghost characters) will be swooping around on the floor and the ground, acrobatically but, also emerging from above, right among the audience. And I mean like Melissa said, it is a ghost story. So it has spooky qualities to it, but it also has beautiful qualities.”
Syracuse Stage has presented the play many times spanning its 50 year history, according to Artistic Director Bob Hupp.
“Even though it is the 9th time that we've produced “A Christmas Carol” in our history; it is the 1st and most spectacular production that we've done that invites the audience to join us and explore these ghosts and this magic in ways that we've never done before.”
“A Christmas Carol”runs through December 31st.” Syracuse Stage is a supporter of WAER.