The Craft & The Community: 'Ebenezer Scrooge's BIG San Diego Christmas Show'

The theatrical arts are a microcosm of the world in which they are situated, a vehicle through which to examine it, and an opportunity to build common experiences of empathy and understanding. But beyond the applause… well, there’s a magic there, too. After all, it is in those moments of community that we share as we exit the theatre that we feel that palpable buzz, a platform of commonality on which we can engage in empathy, courage, and artistic growth together. How can we leverage the power of that buzz? Enter: The Craft & The Community, a community conversation project.

For this round of interviews, I had a chance to connect with audience members leaving ‘Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show.’ Check it out and chime in with your thoughts and takeaways as well!

My personal takeaways?

• Like last year's production, this high-energy San Diego-specific adaptation keeps the story moving at a quick clip.

• Two-time Tony-nominee Christopher Sieber is an absolutely charming, dear old Scrooge during his big awakening. His giddiness and delight with a fresh start - in stark contrast to earlier grumpiness - left a smile on my face. This was likewise the case with Josh Breckenridge's Bob Cratchit.

• Lighting by Amanda Zieve is just lovely, as is sound by Bart Fasbender. Truly... they serve as characters all their own!

The production runs at The Old Globe through Dec. 24.