A beloved tale with a local twist is the perfect way to celebrate the season this December.
The and Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 New Vintage Theatre present A Kelowna Christmas Carol Dec. 14 to 21.
Set during the Depression and presented with music, Bonnie Gratz含羞草研究社檚 brand new reimagining of Charles Dickens含羞草研究社� A Christmas Carol weaves local characters based on real people with familiar characters like Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and of course, and Tiny Tim.
含羞草研究社淚 thought about our city and how generous people are and what would happen if we put some of those people into a Dickensian story?含羞草研究社� says Gratz, noting the play含羞草研究社檚 places and scenarios are all based on historical fact. 含羞草研究社淚t makes it so unique and special because you know these people have lived.含羞草研究社�
A historical road well-researched
Visiting the Kelowna museum to research the city含羞草研究社檚 people, places and events, 含羞草研究社淚 found the best time period to set this kind of tale is the early 1930s,含羞草研究社� Gratz says.
Despite challenges of the Depression, for example, 含羞草研究社減eople were demonstrating what sharing and kindness and caring for community could be.含羞草研究社�
Local notables
Among the many notable people met through her research, Gratz recalls Dr. Benjamin Boyce and his wife Mary, the community含羞草研究社檚 first doctor and pharmacist, who figure prominently in her play. Covering a massive area from Vernon to the U.S. border, they treated everyone from all socio-economic backgrounds, often receiving little to no compensation for their work.
含羞草研究社淲hat they did was superhuman,含羞草研究社� Gratz suggests. Because they couldn含羞草研究社檛 have their own children, 含羞草研究社淚 think they really looked at the task of caring for the community as caring for their own family. These kinds of things work well within a Dickensian story.含羞草研究社�
A family message
With actors of all ages represented on stage, that family dynamic has grown throughout the rehearsal process, says Gratz, who welcomed historians and characters含羞草研究社� descendants to provide the actors with additional perspective.
Each performance will be hosted by one of those descendants, complementing that timelessness of the story and its message.
含羞草研究社淒uring a really busy time of year when the focus can be on sales, it really puts into perspective what the holiday should be for,含羞草研究社� Gratz says. 含羞草研究社淎nd for many people, A Christmas Carol really highlights the importance of caring for your fellow man.含羞草研究社�
runs on select nights, Dec. 14 to 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25/adult, $20/senior/member and $15/student/child.
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is a proud member of PACT 含羞草研究社� The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres founded in 2012 to create and produce new works and remount the classics in captivating ways.
