Purchased from Livingsocial "A Christmas Carol," play with complimentary hot drink (tea, cocoa or coffee) before the show. I saw "A Christmas Carol," at the South Coast Repetory in Orange County last year, and wanted to check out this play this year.
Easiest way to find this theater - Google Map Creative Arts Center Gallery on 1110 W. Clark Ave., and park in the lot and walk towards the softball field and there's a white building in front that will post banners/flyers of the Grove Theater Center.
Got to the theater, I checked in and got my free hot drink (hot cocoa - they didn't have hot apple cider), and took pictures all over. They also sell snacks and other drinks too. They start letting people in about 10mins before showing. The ambience is relaxing and they had Greensleeves and Christmas carols playing before the show.
Once the play started, I didn't take anymore pics out of respect. This play is a three player production with no set background other than a large table used in the center stage. The players act out verbally and physically, and you use your imagination for the background scenes. I ended up using Jim Carrey's cartoon version to follow the scenes in my mind. The only thing each player used was a large velvet scarf that they use to create the characters they are playing.
Frank Simons (Man), Jenna Augen (Woman), and David Allen Jones (Scrooge) did an amazing job. They were funny, engaging and full of energy. They nailed every aspect of the play within 80 minutes with no intemission. I enjoyed it very much. I thought it would have been boring with no set backgrounds or additional players, but nope - those three were terrific!!!
One star off: Small and intimate theater - seats about 100 people and the seats are hella small! You will be rubbing elbows with your seat mates, lol! I was fortunate that the couples sitting to both my sides were women since they were cuddling with their guys and so I got the elbow rests all to myself, lol! Also, my butt was actually hurting towards the end. Ideally, it would be nice if they got better, cushier seats, lol!
Yup - this place us worth coming to see another show again - I dig it! read more