A modern take on a timeless tale

MUSICAL THEATRE WEST

Long Beach’s Musical Theatre West debuted this month a modern twist on a holiday classic using cutting-edge technology.

The world-premiere production of “Estella Scrooge: A Christmas Carol With a Twist!” was filmed using tracked greenscreen techniques, with 3-D surreal digital environments merged with footage of the actors. “‘Estella Scrooge’ was born after a conversation with our executive producer Kevin Surace,” says producer Michael Jackowitz. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to shoot something in a safe, isolated fashion, but put everyone together in the same frame?’” Director/co-book writer John Caird adds, “The creative team nimbly learned new techniques to bring the actors and their characters together. It’s wonderful to provide employment for the theater community while we enliven the classic Christmas Carol story, refashioned with a new twist for today.”

Instead of miserable old Ebenezer, this take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” focuses on Wall Street tycoon Estella, who travels to her Ohio hometown to personally foreclose on an old hotel, which is run by her childhood friend. Phillip “Pip” Nickleby has transformed Harthouse into a refuge for the less fortunate townspeople, and that just happens to be where Estella is forced to stay when a snowstorm hits. Just as happened with her ancestor Ebenezer, Ms. Scrooge is haunted by three unwelcome visitors.

“This piece was a joy to create, from the first beat of the idea to the culmination of the film,” says co-book writer/composer Paul Gordon. “Discovering how these Dickensian characters [from different novels] would interact together and tell a cohesive story with a distinct musical voice was both a challenge and a thrill.”

Created by Tony and Olivier award winner Caird, “Estella Scrooge” stars Betsy Wolfe in the title role, supported by Clifton Duncan as Pip and Danny Burstein as Ebenezer.

Tickets to the streamed broadcast are available via https://musical.org/estella/. For a 72-hour viewing window, it’s $29.99 per household to be streamed in multiple devices, but for $44.99, the VIP Premium Theatre Experience includes unlimited viewings, a download of the CD and behind-the-scenes footage. Though the sales go through StreamingMusicals. com, 30 percent of ticket costs are donated back to Musical Theatre West.

“At a time of great conflict and hardship,” Caird says, “I hope we can shine a little ray of optimism into the surrounding darkness.”

Ebenezer and Estella Scrooge take flight.

Courtesy Musical Theatre West