Variety

The Guthrie’s holiday shows are no humbug

For the 43rd consecutive year, the renowned Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis is showing Charles Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol, directed by Lauren Keating.

Also being performed this year is Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit, directed by David Ivers. The pair form a fun offering for those looking to warm themselves with cheer and laughter this winter.

A Christmas Carol finds a way to keep the old story fresh. An amazing set build, excellent choreography, and a bit of theater magic immerse the audience in the story.

Nathaniel Fuller is a perfect Scrooge, whose scowl and one-syllable outbursts believably transition to moments of joy. Scrooge’s nostalgia while viewing events from his youth are beautifully paired with moments regret, and Fuller nails every emotion on the rollercoaster.

The whole cast has outstanding chemistry which makes the dancing and joyful moments ever the more cheerful as you can clearly see the actors enjoying themselves, or at least making a phenomenal show of it.

With a runtime of 111 minutes including a 15 minute intermission, the play never drags on, but moves breathlessly. Tickets range from $29-$134 and the show runs through Dec. 30.

Blithe Spirit is a 1941 comedy that follows author Charles Condomine researching his latest novel by inviting Madame Arcati, an eccentric medium over for a séance with his second-wife Ruth and some dinner guests.

Their skepticism is obvious, but melts away when Charles’ deceased first-wife Elvira materializes, and hilarity ensues.

Quinn Mattfield and Sally Wingert in Blithe Spirit, which runs through January 14.

As Charles is the only one who can see Elvira, conversations with both of his wives get a little messy. Miscommunication continues to be a source of comedy throughout the play, heightened by the strength of the acting.

While Sally Wingert has some show-stealing moments in her excellent and very funny performance as the eccentric medium, Quinn Mattfield’s Charles Condomine carries the show.

Mattfield induces many gut-busting laughs, sometimes with so little as simple double-take. He gives everything you would expect from a man who is at ends with two wives, and more.

Blithe Spirit comes in long, with a runtime of 155 minutes including a 15 minute intermission, but delivers a truly funny and enjoyable performance. The show runs through Jan. 14, with tickets starting at $29.