CHRISTMAS CAROL PRESS RELEASE
Back by popular demand, the Winneshiek County Historical Society is pleased to announce they are bringing back to Decorah the acclaimed live theatre production of “A Christmas Carol”, which they presented last year for the first time. The Des Moines Register says this production, featuring professional actor Ray Carver, “captures the heart of A Christmas Carol”. Chicago’s Writer To Writer magazine editor Barbra Croft says Carver presents this classic holiday story as “a ripping good yarn.” “A Christmas Carol” will be presented on Saturday. December 6th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at T-Bock’s Upstairs in downtown Decorah at 206 W. Water Street. Seating is limited and seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis with doors open at 6 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at Kanpai Soda Shop, 404 W. Water Street, Decorah Chamber of Commerce, 507 W. Water Street, and at the Winneshiek County Historical Society, 302 S. Mill Street.
Carver has worked over fifty years as an actor, director, designer, playwright, and producer for community, educational, and professional theaters. One of the theatres he founded was chosen by Iowa State Capitol Centennial Commission to represent Iowa’s theatres in the State Capitol Centennial Time Capsule. Also, the acting classes he’s taught were featured on the statewide Iowa public television network.
Besides performing “A Christmas Carol,” Carver will also appear as Charles Dickens at the fourth annual “Dickens on Mill Street” celebration hosted earlier in the day by the Winneshiek County Historical Society at 302 S. Mill Street on Saturday, December 6th from 1 to 4 pm.
For a free will offering at the door, visitors attending will be able to talk with Dickens and meet many of the characters from “A Christmas Carol” including the Cratchit family, the ghosts that haunt Scrooge, and Ebenezer Scrooge himself. Mother Christmas will be there to hear children’s Christmas wishes, there will be a children’s game, involving the live Dickens characters, and a gift bag of English goodies for all children who participate. A live brass quartet and carolers will entertain with holiday music, the Lord and Lady of the Treat Table will offer the opportunity to sample Victorian foods that Dickens, Scrooge, and the Cratchits would have enjoyed during their Christmas celebrations, and photo exhibits of the early English and those of English descent who were Decorah’s original settlers, will be on display. A special exhibition of Victorian toys will be featured, horse-drawn vis-à-vis carriage rides will be available for $5 per person, and attendees will be able to peek at the newly completed archive building. Judging from previous years’ celebrations, fun times are promised to all who attend.