Chicago-area Theatre Gives Life to World Premiere Play MR. DICKENS' HAT
WDCB’s Gary Zidek talks to some of theatre artists involved in Northlight Theatre’s world premiere produciton of MR. DICKENS’ HAT.
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“It just became deeper, this idea of how we tear down the walls that have pyschologically and literally been built around us by living inside away from people, how we can be with each other again, and this story is very much about this.” - Director David Catlin talking about the lense through which MR. DICKENS’ HAT will be viewed in 2021.
David Catlin
Productions of Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL are likely being presented on stage in every city and small town in the U.S. this month. Despite coming out almost 180 years ago, Ebenzer Scrooge’s redemption tale remains a holiday staple. Skokie-based Northlight Theater is channeling some of that Dickensian spirit, but with a twist in its latest production, a world premiere titled MR. DICKENS’ HAT. The new work described as a play with music comes from American playwright Michael Hollinger. It’s being directed by acclaimed Chicago-based theater artisti David Catlin. MR. DICKENS’ HAT was supposed to make its premiere last year around this time, but was postponed because of the pandemic. The story which touches on themes of isolation, family and economic hardship is even more relevant in this moment when many people are still coping with the pandemic.
Cordelia Dewdney as Kit in MR. DICKENS’ HAT
