The real deal: Come see this ‘Christmas Carol’ performance for a bit of authenticity

If the Muppet version of “A Christmas Carol” isn’t quite cutting it for your inner Scrooge, the Mid-Continent Public Library is hosting a set of performances with a much more personal connection to the story. Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of author Charles Dickens, will perform a one-man show embodying all the characters.

His performance has become a longstanding tradition at the library system over the years. Kimberly Howard, assistant manager for the library’s community programming department, said she he’s been coming to the library for nearly 25 years.

He first came to town for the Dickens Fair and had some extra time to come by the library and do a reading of “A Christmas Carol.” Howard, who worked at the Blue Springs South branch at the time, was there for that first performance.

“He used to do it as a reading, and then it slowly developed into a one-man performance, and I’ve seen it many, many times,” she said.

What’s kept her and many library patrons coming back is “the way he draws you into the story and makes all of the characters come alive. It’s amazing how he can take so few props and just make it come alive,” Howard said.

On stage with Dickens is simply a chair, table and hat rack, so he’s not relying on any fancy scenery.

“He changes his voice as he goes into different characters. He even changes his body movements and the way he holds himself,” Howard said.

People who came to the show as children 20 years ago now bring their own kids to see Dickens perform.

“We have people who tell us their holiday season does not start until they see his performance,” Howard said.

Some people even schedule their visits to see relatives in the Kansas City area so they’ll overlap with a performance.

With such a reputation, the spots for Dickens’ five performances filled up quickly. However, four of those performances will be available live on the library’s YouTube page for those who can’t be there in person.

Two performances will be of “A Christmas Carol” and two will be of “The Signalman” — a ghostly Dickens tale involving train crashes.

“I think it’s really important to offer these types of cultural performances because a lot of times, people aren’t able to go to other venues to do that,” Howard said. “Sometimes cost is a factor that prevents them from being able to go. With the library, our programs are free and open access.”

Last year, the pandemic prevented the library from offering live performances, but they helped sponsor a filmed version of the show that was available to library patrons.

“We’re so excited to be able to bring him back in person this year. Everyone missed him last year,” Howard said. “… (The film) was a very good rendition but not the same as in person.”

The livestreamed performances will be available at www.youtube.com/user/MCPLMO. To see “A Christmas Carol” tune in at 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14. For “The Signalman” — visit the page at 7 p.m. Friday Nov. 12 or 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. For more event information, visit www.mymcpl.org/events.

This story was originally published November 11, 2021 at 5:00 AM.