Charles Dickens Begrudgingly Performs 'A Christmas Carol' Again at The Den Theatre

Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended

"...It’s a fun premise, though unevenly executed: Dickens, inexplicably still alive in 2024, must perform his 171st annual reading of “A Christmas Carol.” And he’s sick of it. Like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who tried to kill off Sherlock Holmes but was forced to revive him by popular demand, Montgomery’s version of Dickens feels trapped by the public appetite for Ebenezer Scrooge and his parade of ghostly guests. Donning reindeer antlers and tossing miniature candy canes to audience members, the author attempts to throw a holiday party instead.

Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended

"...This season Chicago audiences are spoiled for choice with several versions of “A Christmas Carol” as well as other holiday shows on offer. But for a homegrown original, that is witty, heartfelt and (mostly) true to Dickens – this one is not to be missed."

Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended

"...The darkly charming premise is tantalizing: that Dickens is still alive, and has for 171 consecutive years been annually performing his stage reading of a version of his 19th century book “A Christmas Carol." In fact, as we learn in the course of the show, Dickens did read an adaptation of his book onstage for years. This piece, however, is a remarkably artful riff on Dicken’s original, written and performed stunningly well by Blake Montgomery."

The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended

"...He’s back! Charles Dickens AKA Blake Montgomery returns to the stage for the holidays. Montgomery, creator and performer, imagines the literary genius manifested and forced to narrate his Christmas classic. The delightful irony is despite ‘Dickens’ protests about performing this show for 171 consecutive years, Chicago hasn’t seen Montgomery in this role for awhile. Now, a decade after The Building Stage went dark, Montgomery takes the stage to captivate with his Jeff Award-winning solo performance. The Ghost of The Building Stage Past resurrects this one man yuletide tour de force."

Third Coast Review - Recommended

"...The conceit is undeniably clever: Montgomery is the author himself, who did actually begin presenting live readings of A Christmas Carol in 1853 and then every year until his death in 1870. Though to hear this Dickens tell it, he never really died and instead has been presenting the popular readings every dang year since. For those keeping track, that would make the 2024 holiday season the 171st consecutive year the poor man has been recounting the tale of Scrooge, Marley, the Cratchits and all those ghosts, and Montgomery's Dickens is, well, sick of it."