Each year, A Christmas Carol returns to the stage like an old friend — familiar, comforting, and ready to remind us of the best parts of ourselves. Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s production manages the rare trick of offering that well-loved warmth while still feeling wonderfully fresh. With Séamus Miller and Quāé Simpson at the helm as directors, this year’s staging infuses the Dickens classic with Baltimore charm, clever creativity, and a surprising literary twist that had the audience grinning from ear to ear.
At the center of it all is Gregory Burgess as Ebenezer Scrooge, delivering a performance that feels less like acting and more like a complete inhabiting of the role. His Scrooge is tightly wound, brittle at the edges, and gruff enough to make those early scenes genuinely prickly. His asking “Are there no prisons?” in reference to helping poor people will raise your eyebrows at the incredulity of it all. But Burgess also gives us tiny cracks of humanity — subtle shifts in expression, the faintest tremor in his voice — that hint at the warmth waiting to break through. When he reaches Scrooge’s great transformation, it becomes luminous, joyful, and almost childlike. The journey feels entirely earned, thanks largely to Burgess’s phenomenal presence on stage.
Balancing Scrooge’s sternness is Samuel Richie as Bob Cratchit, whose performance radiates warmth and sincerity. Richie embodies Cratchit’s quiet strength and gentle optimism beautifully, offering a grounded counterpoint to Scrooge’s early hardness. His scenes with his family — tender, genuine, and often subtly humorous — bring heartfelt emotion into the production. Richie captures the resilience and hopefulness at the heart of Bob Cratchit, making him a standout in an already-strong cast.
One of the most delightful aspects of this year’s production is its framing: the entire story is rooted in Baltimore’s own history, giving the evening a sense of place that sets it apart from any Christmas Carol I’ve seen before. Embracing the city’s literary lineage with a cameo from none other than Edgar Allan Poe himself. The moment Poe appears, it feels both unexpected and a strangely perfect wink to local audiences and a clever thematic thread tying together ghost stories, redemption arcs, and the power of storytelling. It’s a bold touch that pays off beautifully.
The staging is lively, warm, and energetic, reflecting the company’s signature blend of heart and playfulness. From quick-witted exchanges to physical comedy and perfectly timed ensemble antics, the audience was laughing often and loudly. This humor doesn’t undercut the emotional core of the story; instead, it enriches it, making the tender moments even more impactful. It’s a reminder that Dickens wasn’t just a master of morality tales — he also had a sharp sense of comedy.
Music plays a huge role in that atmosphere. The singing throughout is simply wonderful, clear, heartfelt, and full of classic holiday warmth. The harmonies drift through the theater, carrying nostalgia and joy in equal measure. The talented fiddler, Ellie Cattle, adds an especially magical touch. Her playing stitches the scenes together, at times energetic and joyous, at times warmly melancholic. Cattle’s musicianship gives the production a glowing musical soul that resonates deeply.
Another charming element is the audience participation during intermission. Rather than a simple break, the theater becomes a bustling, immersive extension of the story’s world. Cast members mingle, playful interactions unfold, and the audience is invited to lean into the festive spirit. It’s genuinely fun — and if you go, you must try the wassail drink. It fits the atmosphere perfectly: warm, spiced, and just the right amount of old-fashioned holiday cheer. It’s the kind of small but thoughtful detail that makes the whole evening feel special.
Miller and Simpson’s direction is crisp and imaginative, balancing the ghost-story roots of A Christmas Carol with the beating heart of its message. The visits are staged with a blend of theatricality and emotional clarity, and the ensemble handles the transitions with seamless ease. Humor and sincerity are held in perfect tension — the show never leans too far into gloom or giddiness. Instead, it allows each moment its space, letting joy shine, letting fear tingle, and letting hope swell.
The ensemble’s chemistry is palpable, and their commitment to storytelling is evident in each scene. Even though the story is one we all know well, their rendition feels alive with possibility. And perhaps that’s the magic of this production: it reminds us why we keep returning to this tale every December. Not for surprise, but for reassurance. For connection. For the reminder that compassion, generosity, and joy are choices we can make every day.Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s A Christmas Carol is more than a retelling; it’s a celebration. With its Baltimore-tinted twist, this production becomes a living, breathing holiday tradition all its own. It sends you back into the cold night feeling lighter, warmer, and maybe even inspired to greet the world with a little more kindness, preferably with a cup of wassail still warming your hands.
Running time: Two hours with a 15-minute intermission.
A Christmas Carol plays through December 23, 2025, at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 South Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD. Purchase tickets ($35–$82) by calling 410-244-8570, visiting the Box Office in person, or ordering online. For directions, parking, transportation, and other plan-your-visit information, click here.
The program for A Christmas Carol is online here.
Trailer by Kiirstn Pagan Photography
A Christmas Carol
Adapted from Charles Dickens by Laura Rocklyn
Directed by Séamus Miller and Quāé Simpson
