In Charles Dickens's day, his novel A Christmas Carol was credited with reviving enthusiasm for a holiday, that, incredibly, had fallen out of favor with the public and appeared to be on the wane. Needless to say, modern marketing will never permit such heresy again. Nonetheless, Dickens' ghost story, which was published just six days before Christmas, 1843, remains an important part of the Christmas package. For many secularists, it conveys the "true meaning" of Christmas more effectively than anything else. Besides, children love it, at least in its abridged, theatrical form, which explains why no fewer than two theatre companies in our region are doing adaptations of it now. Tonight, December 11, The Berkshire Theatre Festival presents the opening of it's third-annual holiday production of Charles' Dickens A Christmas Carol, adapted and directed by Eric Hill. In Hudson, Walking the Dog Theater Company is doing it as a one-man show with music. Their A Christmas Carol, performed by David Anderson with music by Jonathan Talbott and directed by Ted Pugh, recreates the experience American audiences had when Dickens performed it himself in packed lecture halls during his 1865 New England tour. Anyone who loves Dickens and has tried reading his work aloud to young children knows what a dicey proposition that can be. (I happen to be acquainted with two otherwise notably literate young women who still shriek at the memory of sitting through a few pages of David Copperfield.) So if you are among those who believe that the message of Marley's ghost captures the true meaning of Christmas, here's a perfect opportunity to pass that rather important notion along to your kids. Walking the Dog TheaterSpace 360 360 Warren Street, Hudson; 800.838.3006 Through December 21; at 2 p.m. (check website for matinee days) & 8 p.m. Tickets: $15, $12/students and seniors, $10/WTD members Thursday, December 11 is 2-for-1 night Berkshire Theatre FestivalUnicorn Theater, Stockbridge; 413.298.5536, ext. 33 December 11 - 30; dark December 16, 23, 24, & 25; 2 p.m. (check website for matinee days) & 7 p.m. Tickets, $35 - $45/adults; $20 - $25/children and students.
