A reinterpretation of the Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” with a Wild West twist turns the bah-humbug cautionary tale into yee-haw dramedy where Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future get plenty of laughs.
The new “A Calico Christmas Carol” debuted on Friday, Nov. 17 in the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm.
Knott’s Merry Farm kicked off on Friday and runs through Jan. 7 at the Buena Park theme park with a host of holiday shows, entertainment, food, merchandise and decor.
The new adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” brings Scrooge to Calico Ghost Town where he learns the true meaning of Christmas during a magical night of discovery.
As always, the Bird Cage sets were simple — which makes the shows all about the performances. The story was set in Calico Ghost Town with plenty of references to Boysenberry Pie, the Ghost Town Grill and the Calico Saloon.
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Scrooge teetered expertly between a terrifying tyrant tormenting Bob Cratchit and a mean-spirited jokester who knew just where to play the crowd for laughs. The Christmas ghosts walked an equally fine line between adding just enough “yee-haw partner” patter to establish the Wild West theme and leaning into the emotional pain of Tiny Tim’s death.
I love the Bird Cage Theatre in part because the old time melodramas are such a rarity to find in a theme park. The 30-minute stage shows are the perfect way to introduce kids to the theater and a fun break from all the funnel cake, roller coasters and Christmas shopping.
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A host of holiday shows and entertainment returned for this year’s Knott’s Merry Farm.
The new “A Calico Christmas Carol” alternates show times in the Bird Cage Theatre with the returning “Gift of the Magi, 1885.”
Long-time favorite “Snoopy’s Night Before Christmas” brings…
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