The holidays are exciting. And draining. Also joyful, stressful, bountiful and, well, just full. Once you’re a parent, the holidays become even more so because of the desire to make the season magical for your children. We introduce traditions from our own childhoods and seek out new ones as a way to celebrate the season and forge lasting memories. If your family is searching for a new holiday tradition that will stick with you long after it’s over, look no further than Uptown Scrooge.
Presented by local nonprofit organization Good Medicine Productions, Uptown Scrooge is an incredibly unique retelling of A Christmas Carol, re-staged as an interactive walking tour through the streets and shops of beautiful, historic Uptown Westerville. Guided along by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, the audience gets to embody the role of Scrooge, experiencing his journey of regret, resistance and redemption. With puppets. And singing, dancing, confetti, and lots of laughter. The show runs Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Dec. 16, and is perfect for ages 6 and up.
It gets better. Uptown Scrooge was written and created by a local mom. Kristie Koehler Vuocolo grew up in Westerville but moved to Chicago for college and ended up living and working there as a professional actor for nearly 20 years. She created Uptown Scrooge in 2016 after returning to live in Westerville with her family. The show was born of a desire to create art again after experiencing both the loss of a loved one and the loss of self that so often accompanies the early years of motherhood.
Uptown Scrooge is a hopeful love letter, not only to her hometown, but also to the redemption found within the creative process and the spirit of Christmas. The joy and redemption that Scrooge feels at the end of the tale parallels her own journey, and likely, the journeys of many of us. In fact, Uptown Scrooge’s finale, replete with red and green sequins, confetti, jolly music and an over-the-top dance number by a crew of ebullient “elves,” is one of the most heartwarming holiday spectacles I’ve witnessed.
Kids (school age and older) are sure to love the show too. The cast of professional actors is so talented and funny! My daughter has tagged along to several of the show’s rehearsals since its inaugural year in 2016, and she still can’t get enough of the songs, pratfalls and comedic tomfoolery. So if you’re looking to start a new family tradition this holiday season that doesn’t involve wandering the aisles of big box stores, searching for elusive must-have toys, try Uptown Scrooge on for size. You won’t be disappointed!
Performance Information
Uptown Scrooge runs Saturday and Sunday afternoons through Dec.16. Tour times are 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. Each performance lasts approximately 90 minutes. Tickets are $22 for adults and $10 for students and children. Tour check-in is at 30 E. College Ave. Westerville, OH 43081. A portion of proceeds from Uptown Scrooge directly benefits the signature programming of Good Medicine, which serves pediatric and senior living facilities. For tickets and more information visit GoodMedicineProductions.org.
