What the Dickens? This year has given us some intriguing new takes on an old, beloved theme: “A Christmas Carol,” that immortal tale of goodness triumphing over Grinchiness — or, how a gentle soul like Bob Cratchit, a sweet boy named Tiny Tim (minus ukulele) and several ghosts made a believer out of crusty Ebenezer Scrooge.
Charles Dickens’ original hasn’t been out of print since it was published on Dec. 17, 1843. Will these new adaptations survive a century? Let’s dissect them, one by one . . .
“3 GHOSTS”
The notion: A musical focusing on the ghostly aspect of the story, related in steampunk’s Victorian/Industrial Revolution style
The narrator: There is none. The actors and dancers do the talking, some of them in gas masks.
Setting: “A future alternate universe” dominated by a 13-foot clock with lots of moving gears
Key players: Tiny Tim sings a blessing before dinner; Scrooge is an angry 40-something who really hates the holidays.
Dickens’ words: About 90 percent of this “Carol,” plus brand-new lyrics
Info: Dec. 8-23 at the Beckett Theatre, 410 W. 42nd St.; $26.25; 212-239-6200
“REID FARRINGTON’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
The notion: A “Rocky Horror”-like mash-up of film and live performance, with screen images projected onto actors’ bodies
The narrators: The recorded voices of Vincent Price, Orson Welles and other greats, some of them still alive
Setting: The Victorian, phantasmagorical Abrons Arts Center
Key players: 18 Tiny Tims, including the ones from “The Flintstones” and the Alistair Sim film, and 35 Scrooges, only one of them live
Dickens’ words: 90 percent, plus bits from Bill Murray’s “Scrooged”
Info: Through Dec. 18 at the Henry Street Settlement, 466 Grand St., LES; $20 for adults, $10 for students and seniors; 212-598-0400
“A CHRISTMAS CAROL, AS TOLD BY CHARLES DICKENS (HIMSELF)”
The notion: The author’s ghost, as merry as Willy Wonka, returns to recite his story, though he’s lost the book along the way.
The narrator: Why, Mr. Dickens, of course!
The setting: The brick-walled, early 19th-century Canal Park Playhouse, a former furniture warehouse
Key players: Tiny Tim is conveyed by lighting. Scrooge is suggested by a chair. Jimmy Kieffer’s Dickens does the heavy lifting.
Dickens’ words: About 85 percent; the rest are by Greg Oliver Bodine.
Info: Through Dec. 24 at 508 Canal St.; $18; 866-811-4111
“JACKIE HOFFMAN’S A CHANUKAH CHAROL”
The notion: A cautionary, semi-autobiographical holiday tale with a Jewish accent and show-business desperation
The narrator: Someone who promises to be “very Patrick Stewart-esque”
Setting: Two chairs and a stream of special effects, including the ghost of Molly Picon
Key players: Standing in for Tiny Tim is a disabled delivery boy from Pinkberry. Hoffman, natch, plays Scrooge.
Dickens’ words: “Maybe 20 to 30 percent,” Hoffman estimates. “My aunt says, ‘God help us, everyone!’ — which is very Jewish, but universal.”
Info: Dec. 11, 18 and Jan. 2 at New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St.; $35 and $55; 212-239-6200