Balladeer’s Blog’s 2023 Christmas Carol-A-Thon continues as we hurl toward the holiday!
A VHS CHRISTMAS CAROL LIVE – I was going to save my review of this 45-minute StarKid musical adaptation of the Dickens classic for Christmas Day itself, but I changed my mind.
I consider this production to be so well done that I want to give a heads-up to other Carol fans so they have some lead time to try to squeeze in a viewing this Christmas Season.
Like Jesus Christ Superstar long ago, A VHS Christmas Carol began as a concept album then became a full stage and online streaming event. The reason for the “VHS” part of the title is that the production uses 1980s style pop music and aesthetics as its theme. There’s a palpable feel of watching an old 80s VHS tape of music videos of the time.
The cast members perform their roles in costumes which make each of them pastiches AND composites of recognizable 1980s pop singers. They don’t stoop to doing impressions of those singers, they stay in character and stay true to the musical vibe of the score. But you can’t help but smile at the 80s pop culture mainstays they put you in mind of. Continue reading
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