50
Arts
December 2015
www.GilbertSunNews.com
Hale Theatre’s ‘Christmas Carol’ shows it’s never too late BY KENNETH LAFAVE
More than 1,800 dramatic versions of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” have found their way to the stage in the 172 years since the novella was published. The story of a mean-spirited man brought to his senses by visions of the past, present and future has captivated theater audiences as well as readers, and helped to lend iconic stature to the names of Ebenezer Scrooge, Marley’s Ghost and Tiny Tim. But, what’s the story really about? What is the significance of “A Christmas Carol” as a Christmas story? “The main message is it’s never too late to change,” said David Hale Dietlein, coowner of Gilbert’s Hale Theatre and the director of the Hale’s annual “Christmas Carol” production. “Scrooge is already an established, hard-chiseled personality when Marley’s Ghost visits, but he still manages to change. It shows that it’s never too late in our lives. Even if we’ve gotten into bad situations, we can make it turn around. “It’s about hope and renewal in the holidays. We can’t give up on trying to change the world for the better.”
The Hale Theatre’s script dates back to the 1960s, at the original Hale Theatre in Glendale, California, founded by Dietlein’s grandparents. They commissioned a script by Ted Lehman that served as a kind of blueprint for all future Hale productions, though alterations through the decades have all but erased the original. “Our version has gone off in many different directions,” Dietlein explained. “If you stick too close to the book, it can get too wordy for the stage. We’ve added music, dance, production numbers.” And this year, they’ve made the ghost even scarier. How’d they do that? “I don’t want to give away any secrets, but let’s put it this way: We advise against any children under age 5 attending, because the ghost will be too real for them.” Gilbert’s Hale Theatre has presented “A Christmas Carol” every year since its founding in 2003, and every year, Dietlein has personally directed and overseen the changes. The result has been so popular that, this year, the company will present it more times than ever before: Two different casts will tread the boards
Dignity Health’s
Making it a Joint Effort Fun Run
In Hale Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol,” even Scrooge can change. Submitted photo
for 43 performances of “A Christmas Carol,” between Dec. 3 and Dec. 24. Performances will be staged on all days but Sundays, and tickets range from $20 to $36. Call (480) 497-1181 or visit www.HaleTheatreArizona.com for more information. With productions of “A Christmas
Carol” running the gamut from dark and foreboding to light and sweet, Dietlein likes to think of his version embracing it all: “Our ‘Christmas Carol’ will take you from meaningful to fun to dramatic to artsy. Everything combined in one, big package.”
Saturday January 9, 2016 at Kiwanis Park Join the fun at the inaugural Making it a Joint Effort Ortho Fun Run/Walk. This run has an event for everyone, including a 5K or 1 Mile Run/Walk and a 100 Yard Dash, so bring your family and friends! The fun starts at 8am.
Registration Fees
Proceeds from the run benefit the Orthopedics departments at Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers, which support the Total Joint Replacement and Sports Medicine programs.
100 Yard Kids’ Dash
5K Run/Walk Through Dec 13 After Dec 13
$30.00 $35.00
1 Mile Run/Walk Through Dec 13 After Dec 13 Through Dec 13 After Dec 13
$25.00 $30.00 $20.00 $25.00
For more information call 480-728-3931 or visit events on our website at supportdignityhealtheastvalley.org