‘A Christmas Carol’ @ Dallas Theater Center

—Hannah Kneen

There’s nothing that brings out the Christmas spirit quite like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and the Dallas Theater Center’s 2025 production—heartwarming and hopeful—is definitely one to see. In fact, being a newcomer to this long-running annual event, I’m thinking of making it a Christmas tradition myself.

Most of us know the story of the miserly and miserable Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. This version was adapted and originally directed by Kevin Moriarty, with DTC company member Alex Organ as this year’s director. The story follows Scrooge (Blake Hackler, also of DTC’s resident acting group) as he is taken on a journey to wake him up to his own wrongdoings and the consequences thereof.

Set in a Victorian factory with a thrust stage configuration, this production expertly illustrates the ideas of social responsibility and redemption that Dickens valued in a way that draws us in at every turn.

Right off the bat, the quality of the voices surprised me. Cody Dry’s music direction is spot on and the whole cast sounds beautiful together. For a play that so heavily integrates Christmas carols into its structure, the focus on song suits perfectly. In the Christmas Past scenes, “Auld Lang Syne” is both a joyful counterpart to a raucous party and a sorrowful underscoring of the younger Scrooge’s more heartless choices—the ones that have left him bitter and alone. As Mrs. Fezziwig, Liz Mikel’s empowers these scenes even further with her gorgeous voice.

Throughout the play there are instances of music onstage that truly make this show come to extraordinary life. Christmas Present is marked by “Deck the Halls,” colorful lights, and the playful Ghost himself, played by Juniper Pirro. This segment contrasts nicely with Christmas Past’s bittersweet memories, soft lighting, and maternal Ghost (Sarah Gay). And the repeated use of “Carol of the Bells” makes a lovely throughline over the course of the play.

The set, designed by Beowulf Boritt, is pretty fantastic. It seeps out into the audience, with fairy lights (built into the upper levels of the audience seating) combined with a pervasive factory aesthetic. The fairy lights create a lovely ambiance that suits both the past and present segments of the story—and their sudden absence in the shadowy Christmas Future scene is very effective. (Definite kudos to lighting designer Jeff Croiter for all of it.)

Of course, the more ominous parts of this Christmas ghost story deserve just as much attention as the joyful ones. At the beginning of his adventure, Scrooge is visited by his old business partner Marley, regardless of the fact that she’s been “dead as a doornail” for some years. Condemned by her own lack of humanity and caring in life, Marley’s unhappy ghost (Tiffany Solano) warns Scrooge of his fate. She tells him “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were all my business.” A very important message in any time, and so easy to ignore or put aside during our busy days – and why Dickens thought of Christmas as a special season when he might tell stories to move people to think of the poor and desperate…and do something!

When Scrooge finally admits his own wrongs he wonders if he is past all hope; if he is doomed to the future he has been shown with no chance to save himself. But this story tells us that everyone has that chance, and no one is beyond saving. It’s a striking idea and hits right at the heart of the meaning of Christmas.

Blake Hackler is delightful playing Scrooge’s reaction to his return to the present time—it’s Christmas morning, and all the ghosts have gone. After all the wonders and horrors he has seen, the sight of his familiar old bed, untampered with by events yet to come…well, it shocks him into near hysterics. Scrooge’s joy at the idea he is not beyond hope is heartwarming, and did not fail to move me.

This show runs like a well-oiled machine. It’s professional, well paced and well-rehearsed—but has in no way lost its impact and freshness for being such a long-standing tradition with Dallas Theater Center. If you’re interested in learning more about Dickens and other topics, there’s a “Stay Late” talk after every show, and anyone can join in. Audience members are also provided an opportunity to donate to the local food bank at the end of the show.

Whether you’ve seen it ten times before, or (like me) are looking for a new Christmas tradition, DTC’s A Christmas Carol is a great way to get into the spirit of the season. It’s good to the last chime of the bell.

WHEN: Nov 28 – Dec 27, 2025
WHERE: Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre, 2403 Flora Street, Dallas
WEB: dallastheatercenter.org