A Christmas Carol in Harlem (2018)

See it if If you like or love The Christmas Carol Story telled in a refreshing, lovely way. Great for all ages.

Don't see it if If you don't want a happy story or just like the classic Christmas Carol Story.

Also Great show had a lot of funny, with good acting, the dancing was excellent. It's walk from the "A" station up hill. A modern taken on Christmas Carol Story in Harlem. Touch points the are happening in all neighborhood with rent and other changes. Great Show!... Read more Read less

See it if you're ok w/yet ANOTHER "A Christmas Carol" adaptation. Harmless, innocent, not too deep, slow as molasses but funny, enjoyable family-show.

Don't see it if you expect a more solid & grander production. Show doesn't really open-up & 'begin' until Ghosts of Christmas Past & Present arrive.

Also Contemporary (non-holiday) music...

...helps the audience get into it.

Scrooge (in real-estate up in Harlem) employs dead sister's son Bob. Unlike original, where Bob Cratchit & Scrooge's nephew Fred are 2 diff characters, here there's no Fred. Bob Cratchit is employee AND nephew. Also, Tiny Tim is now Timothea & the 'Ghosts' are 'Spirits'.

Expectations for good music & dance are met. Unfortunately, it's not fast-paced enough for the whole family to stay alert (Wed matinee was filled w/kids).

It has its moments of great humor. About 20min in, "Spirit of Christmas Past" (Brandon Gregory) roller-skates onto the stage to Vaughan Mason's "Bounce Rock Skate Roll", much to everyone's excitement. Finally, the show livens up! Soon, "Spirit of Christmas Present" (Jason Brown) sashays in w/his dancing entourage, ala RuPaul's Drag Race. Everyone ROARS during his entire performance.

Beautiful venue (never been) is unfortunately too huge & overwhelming, making entire production seem minuscule.... Read more Read less

See it if You want a fun Christmas show that is a little different. Includes excellent dancers, clever use of video and very entertaining ghosts!

Don't see it if You only like traditionally staged holiday productions, or can't stand to leave midtown. You'll be missing out, though.

See it if you're a fan of the Dickens holiday classic; like to see a sweet 'urban' version that takes no risks; very "G" rated, kids will like it

Don't see it if you expect an edgier, more confrontative interpretation of the old story

Also The Classic Theater of Harlem is a great little company. Their production of 'Antigone' this past summer in the park was wonderful. Their actors are personable, their dancers are excellent. To their credit, they did follow some key points of this timeless 150+ year old morality tale ( "Are there no shelters, no soup kitchens?...let them go and decrease the surplus population.") It was a sweet, charming show, perhaps best as a starter to introduce this story to kids.... Read more Read less

See it if Writer made Scrooge a Harlem real RE mogul but then just dropped that theme for a straightforward copy. Boring, lost oppty to say something.

Don't see it if Kids would probably be bored.Dancers are good but choreography unimaginative.Songs all missed.No real characters to care 1 way or another ab

Also I went because I've always enjoyed Classical Theater of Harlem's work and I love A Christmas Carol. Disappointed on both fronts.... Read more Read less

See it if You are trying to lend support to a member of the cast, crew or production team Good ghosts of Christmas past & Present offer relief

Don't see it if If you are expecting the usual quality of Classical Theatre of Harlem - this production bears no resemblance to their typical offering

Also The dancing & most of the singing is good & the venue is comfortable and there are some fun staging tricks.

A roller skating 80s Disco Ghost of Christmas Past & and Drag Queen Ghost of Christmas Present are quite good & bring skill and charm to their parts. The rest of the cast, particularly the lead, are ineffective.

The writing is bad throughout (except when it sticks to Dickins) and it is particularly offensive in the "conversation" of Harlem gentrification & communitiy organizing.
Did the author ever speak to someone who actually understands solutions & knows how organizers (at least good ones) talk to people? The preachy sanctimonious character in this play is insulting to organizers in Harlem & elsewhere. I felt sorry for the actress who I suspect good have pulled off a more accurate portrayal.

There is a lot someone could have done with the underlying ideas: Scrooge as a rent gouger, organizing instead of charity as a solution but instead this is dull & stereotyped... Read more Read less

See it if you want to get into the holiday spirit; if you enjoy enjoy plays with a social justice message.

Don't see it if you're expecting the actual Christmas Carol - this is an updated version.

See it if If you love a holiday show. If you love the original dickens. If you’re enjoying updated versions of classics. Would you like a good acting

Don't see it if If you like classic material to just be classic material. You are an actual Scrooge. You don’t like things moved from England to New York Ci

See it if You like new takes on old stories, especially with a socially relevant tone. Also, the choreography is FANTASTIC.

Don't see it if You are tired of the basic story of Scrooge and if you do not appreciate a new twist with a different style.

See it if You want A no thrills fun take on Scrooge's xmas story. You appreciate production with performers of all ages. You dont expect much. Fun.

Don't see it if If you want in your face fun from get go. You want high end Broadway show, you get bored easily. You think city college is far. U r scrooge

See it if very contemporary sketches, clever scene changes

Don't see it if quite a departure from the traditional Christmas Carol of Dickens

See it if You want to support The Classic Theatre of Harlem and see a delightful take on a holiday classic, with a community centered story.

Don't see it if You don't like reinterpretations of classics.

Also This production does a lovely job, truly harnessing the community & spirit of Harlem, all while staying true to the roots of this classic holiday tale. Where it falters is in its uneven pace and lack of character development. However, it is still a delight of a holiday show. The cast does an admirable job, highlights include the reinterpretation of the "ghosts" and Sarita Amani Nash as Belle, her voice is beautiful and filled with heart. This show is a lovely addition to the roster of NYC holiday shows that will get you in the spirit of the season.... Read more Read less

See it if Very cute production with good vocals. You can tell the cast is proud of what they’ve created! Fun to watch.

Don't see it if You don’t like A Christmas Carol. It’s a nice twist on the classic.

See it if Want to see the classic Christmas Carol with a modern twist to it, or simply want to start the holiday season with good feelings

Don't see it if If you don’t like musicals or enjoy celebrating Christmas and good will

See it if you like a reinvented classic; relevant, fresh and set in Harlem! It's a funny, family-friendly holiday, great for all audiences.

Don't see it if ...you want to regret not having seen it! It's really good; just see it!

See it if If you enjoy original story A Christmas Carol, this is set in present day Harlem& is somewhat relevant with todays high real estate prices

Don't see it if You want great singing, acting, or dancing as there is little of that. You want a big budget staging/ sets as this is bare bones production

See it if You're looking for a refreshing new take on a classic. You want to see an only-in-NYC interpretation of the Christmas past/present ghosts

Don't see it if A script that needs a little work will bother you. Some of the lighting and sound design made it hard to see/hear performers.

Also This is a fun, uptown Holiday event!

See it if You like musicals. You like' "A Christmas Carol" moved to Harlem. You have kids. You have lived the African-American experience.

Don't see it if You don't like musicals. You don't like "A Christmas Carol." You are not interested in African-American experiences or Harlem life.

See it if you want an ORIGINAL adaptation of this familiar tale. Uses the basic concept & characters but changes enough so it's not the same old story

Don't see it if you're not sympathetic to issues related to social & economic justice, gentrification, community building, etc.

Also This is a completely up-to-date version, with Scrooge a greedy landlord who's "ruining" the neighborhood by kicking out longstanding tenants who pay less in favor of more lucrative short-term rentals, leaving storefronts unleased for the tax writeoff, etc. So it is a clever adaptation of this OLD story to contemporary times. Excellent stagecraft -- the way light & sound effects are used for Scrooge's being haunted. Some fun musical interludes. Overall, heartfelt, well-performed & -designed, feels both informal and professional.... Read more Read less

See it if you think you would enjoy the Christmas Carol story with an African American/modern twist.

Don't see it if If you don’t enjoy the christmas carol (scrooge) story or not interested in new vesions of a classic.

See it if You like the Harlem dance ensemble and just love Christmas remakes of classics I would love to see this become an annual event in harlem

Don't see it if You do not like a remix to a classic you do not like Christmas shows

See it if you want to see the best Christmas Carol I have ever seen on stage! What a treat for the whole family. The whole cast is phenomenal!!

Don't see it if you don't like Christmas or singing or dancing or happy people around you.

See it if Scrooge as a developer in Harlem. Addresses the eco/political inequalities with song, caroling, dance and humor. Belle is the answer, got it

Don't see it if There is no reason you should not see this, unless you liked Scrooge before he awoke that Christmas morning.

See it if you want to experience the Christmas Carol story in a fresh, fun, contemporary way. Great dancing, acting, music, and video projections!

Don't see it if you’re a Grinch.

See it if you like a christmas carol - enjoy it with a modern twist. Enjoy upbeat feel good shows.

Don't see it if you dont like christmas stories, don't like happy endings or just dont like musicals