By Chase Johnson
Full disclosure, I am an NKU grad. But I have never seen a version of A Christmas Carol that so perfectly embodies both Charles Dickens’ classic novel and the spirit and warmth of the holiday season.
NKU is currently performing the classic holiday tale with a few twists that I found endearing and furthered Scrooge’s evolution from hateful old money lender to decent person and humanitarian. I won’t spoil them in the review, but it is worth noting that this isn’t the same A Christmas Carol that other theatres offer. That’s not to say those are bad, but this is a different more immersive version.
Heartwarming Performances
This entire cast deserves praise for the bell chorus alone. Classic Christmas carols done all on handbells start and punctuate the entire show with cheer and when they sing it warms up the room. Every member of the cast does an excellent job and gets the audience involved. Also, if you like free citrus fruits you will love it when they offer them as a Christmas treat.
Bob Allen leads the cast as Ebenezer Scrooge and showcases a massive acting range, as we meet him the old cantankerous money lender to the gleeful redeemed man. He is a tour de force and watching him have the time of his life as Scrooge is electric.
Another excellent performance is the youngest actor in this show Miles Stewart as Tiny Tim. He’ll make you laugh gasp and cry. For such a young performer he is incredibly skilled.
Jathan Briscoe as Jacob Marley kicks off the haunting in the most bombastic, ethereal, and dare I say ghastly way possible. He’s creepy and powerful and the interplay between him and the ghosts and Scrooge is incredibly entertaining. Finally Bailey Scent, Emaline Miller, and Marlo D’Ascenzo as the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future respectively do an amazing job and bring the emotional heart of the story by reinforcing the central themes of growth, change and redemption.
The Production Team
Saying this as his former student, but Michael Hatton’s charming vision and expertise is found in every choice made in this show. Jacob Priddy as Music Director has arranged an excellent score of Christmas music and most of them period accurate. He also plays a mean accordion which is fun to watch. Costumes, hair and makeup by Ronnie Chamberline and Missy J White are excellent and really help sell the illusion of Victorian England. Likewise set design by Eric Baker is astounding and makes the show even more memorable.
Overall
This show embodies both the Charles Dickens’ story better than most other versions I’ve seen and it also puts its Holiday Spirit where its mouth is by encouraging the audience to give generously in the spirit of Christmas to the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky. See this show.
Get Tickets
A Christmas Carol runs at NKU November 21-23 and December 3-7, 2025. You can get tickets at the following link: https://nku.vbotickets.com/events
