Robbie Tripp, Writer, @trippswag
The Hale Center Theater Orem opened its 24th annual performance of Charles Dickens’s classic tale, “A Christmas Carol” Saturday night to a sold-out audience filled with the spirit of the holiday season.
Chris H. Brower stars as Ebeneezer Scrooge, the “ba-humbug” old man that receives visits from three different spirits on Christmas Eve in 18th century London. Brower, in his 15th time starring in the production, delivers a heartfelt performance as the crotchety old man who goes through a change of heart. All cast members delivered pristine performances in the opening night of the play, delivering powerful acting and practiced singing.
The Hale Center Theater, one of Utah’s silver pedestals of performing arts, never disappoints in their productions and this holiday performance was no different. With the flagship Hale Center Theater based in the Salt Lake City area, the Orem location began in 1990 and picked up where the original began: with quality performances in a minimalist atmosphere.
As a “theater-in-the-round” play house, Hale Center Theater Orem’s small, ground level stage provides audience members with an intimate connection with the performance. With the front row seats only inches away from the actors at times, this cheery and heartwarming production features everything that one hopes to see in a professional production of Dickens’s popular book turned stage play.
The Hale Center Theater is part of the Hale Center Foundation for the Arts and Education, a non-profit performing arts program whose mission is to “provide a high quality, intimate theatrical experience while maintaining affordable ticket prices.” The Hale Center accomplishes just that and so much more in their brilliant performances throughout the year and especially in their enlightened holiday experience of “A Christmas Carol.”
Tickets vary in price between $17-$21 and are going rapidly, due to the performances storied reputation in Utah Valley. The show runs through December 23 and performance dates can be found online at haletheater.org. Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone at 801-226-8600.
