Disclosure: Denver Center for the Performing Arts provided us with media tickets in exchange for our honest review, no other compensation has been provided. All opinions are my own.
Jeremy and I love going to the theater. We aren’t too picky about the shows we get to see either, musicals, dramas, comedies, etc. All of them are great, there is something about sitting in front of the stage watching a live show. The talent is usually mind blowing. Now, that Jude and Teagan are getting older we decided that we really wanted to start exposing them both to the art of theater, so when our family was invited to see A Christmas Carol at The Denver Center for Performing Arts we immediately jumped on that opportunity and possibly started a new holiday family tradition!
Why Your Family Should See A Christmas Carol In The Theater:
Theater Experience: A Christmas Carol is a great story that children have probably read or have seen a version of the story in a movie. The dancing and songs are great for the holiday theater experience.
Family Holiday Tradition: Get into your Sunday best and enjoy the time before, during and after at the theater complex. The kids feel quite special getting dressed up and going to a big theater.
The True Meaning of Christmas: While the lesson might be scary in some parts, the story from Charles Dickens’ is a classic and drives home the lessons of being a good and caring person.
Kids in the production: After the show, both Jude and Teagan asked a lot about the the kids in the production. We told them that yes, those children are actors and they work hard to learn their lines and songs. It sparked some ideas for our kids, maybe they will want to learn more about being in plays or theater.
Say NO to Screen Time: What a treat to learn that there are so many moving parts to put on one production like this. Teagan asked if it was a movie. Funny how they are so used to screens and special affects. This was a great way to teach them a little about the work that has to be done to make the play go on.
Christmas Fever: Take a break, sit in the beautiful theater and enjoy the holiday season. We all feel so stressed and busy this season, why not take some time out of your busy schedule with your family and sit and enjoy this great holiday story.
The Story of A Christmas Carol:
Essential to the holiday season in Denver, A Christmas Carol promises to “warm your heart and renew your holiday spirit” according to the Examiner. Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel, this joyous and opulent musical adaptation traces money-hoarding skinflint Ebenezer Scrooge’s triumphant overnight journey to redemption. A Christmas Carol illuminates the meaning of the holiday season in a way that has resonated for generations. A classic holiday ghost story.
Considerations For Children:
Age: The Denver Center for Performing Arts lists this show as a 6+ show. Teagan is 5 and while she was surprised by a few parts, she did great through out the whole show.
Ghost Story: While A Christmas Carol is a holiday story, keep in mind that the novel is a ghost story. There will be ghosts, dark scenes and some scary things that could affect anyone differently. We decided to prepare our kids by showing them the movie the weekend before. We explained the moral of the story so they could understand what the ghosts were doing.
Loud Show: In some scenes I believe that some of the sound effects can be more overwhelming than the content of the show. If your kids are sensitive to loud sounds you might consider bringing earplugs. Teagan covered her ears a few times.
Marley Scene: Yes, that scene. The DCPA production stays true to the original story and they really do make Marley scary, loud and direct with Scrooge . When Marley arrives, all of us jumped!
Run Time: This is a longer show but there is an intermission. I would make sure that the kids go to the restroom before the show starts and try to get in line for the bathroom at intermission as well. It is not fun to interrupt your neighbors trying to get a kiddo out of the theater to HURRY to the restroom.
Old English: The play does use some Old English words and phrases that the kids might not quite understand However, I was surprised at how much both Jude and Teagan really “GOT” by just watching the actors. I did have a few questions to answer for Teagan during the production however.
Stage Theater: We are so blessed in Colorado to have a great performing arts center with so many theaters to enjoy. A Christmas Carol was put on in the Stage Theater. It was a beautiful theater; red chairs, a fantastic wood stage and no bad seat in the theater! The kids did not need to sit on laps to see the show which was great for us too.
About Denver Center For The Performing Arts:
There are eight theatres within the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Each has a unique personality to match the diverse plays, musicals and shows that happen inside. Explore the stages and find your seat — before the lights go down. They are best known for the touring Broadway shows and Tony-winning theatre. The whole complex is simply amazing, theater and art surrounds you.
The complex has ample parking and some great options for making your trip to the theater perfect. There are restaurants, bars, and coffee cafes in walking distance. Due to school, work and Denver traffic; we decided to have a little mini picnic in the car before heading to our show. BUT, we surprised the kids by getting them a yummy hot cocoa for the show at the theater bar.
General Information:
Run Time: Approximately 2 hrs, including a 15 min intermission
Ticket Price: Starting at $35. Prices vary by date and availability.
Age Recommendation: 6+; ages 4+ are welcome in our theatres. Includes period language and ghost scenes that may frighten younger guests.
Advisory: Stage fog used throughout and strobe lights used in the “Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come” scene.
A Christmas Carol remaining shows: Sunday December 17 – 6:30pm Tuesday December 19 – 6:30pm Wednesday December 20- 1:30pm & 6:30pm Thursday December 21 – 1:30pm & 6:30pm Friday December 22 – 7:30pm Saturday December 23 – 1:30pm & 7:30pm Sunday December 24 – 1:30pm & 6:30pm
We had a wonderful time at the theater as a family and cannot wait to come to our next show. The complex is decorated so nicely for the holidays, it really adds to the experience. It was so fun to see everyone dressed in their holiday dresses going to all of the great shows at the DCPA.
As we were getting ready to leave the Stage Theater we saw a mailbox to mail our letters to Santa. The kids quickly wrote their letters and we mailed them. What a special treat for the kids.
Stay Social with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts:
Looks like you guys had a wonderful time and the kids look so cute! I would love for my kids to see The Christmas Carol at the theater. My oldest daughter is in the preforming arts class and I'm sure she would really get a kick out of this show.
Couldn't agree with you more! It's so important to expose children to the arts, especially theater. A Christmas Carol is such a classic and wonderful for the whole family to see. Hope you make it a holiday tradition.
I read that book with my 8th graders each year. It's a challenging book for some because of the language, but everyone is familiar with the holiday story. I would love to be able to see it live and in person. It's filled with the spirit of Christmas.
This looks like such a fun time! I love going to the theater and, even though our kids are older now, they enjoy it too. It's such a great cultural experience.
I love that book and the Muppets movie adaptation! I've never seen it on stage though but it sounds like it'd be a wonderful experience and wow, look at those beautiful costumes! Seeing plays is something I don't get to do nearly enough!
My mom would love this, I mean she adores Christmas movies and this would be her kind of thing for sure. Gonna talk to my brother we might have to surprise her.
Looks like you guys had a wonderful time and the kids look so cute! I would love for my kids to see The Christmas Carol at the theater. My oldest daughter is in the preforming arts class and I'm sure she would really get a kick out of this show.
Couldn't agree with you more! It's so important to expose children to the arts, especially theater. A Christmas Carol is such a classic and wonderful for the whole family to see. Hope you make it a holiday tradition.
I read that book with my 8th graders each year. It's a challenging book for some because of the language, but everyone is familiar with the holiday story. I would love to be able to see it live and in person. It's filled with the spirit of Christmas.
This looks like such a fun time! I love going to the theater and, even though our kids are older now, they enjoy it too. It's such a great cultural experience.
I love that book and the Muppets movie adaptation! I've never seen it on stage though but it sounds like it'd be a wonderful experience and wow, look at those beautiful costumes! Seeing plays is something I don't get to do nearly enough!
My mom would love this, I mean she adores Christmas movies and this would be her kind of thing for sure. Gonna talk to my brother we might have to surprise her.
I think the kids have only seen a tv version of a Christmas Carol. I bet they would love to see it live.
My boys went today in our town to see A Christmas Carol at our local theater. It was a school field trip. They loved it.
This is probably my favorite part of the holiday season. This story holds a special place in my heart!